Council members in Runge took action during their regular September 12 meeting in hopes of keeping the town’s emergency first responder program alive and running, as well as increasing the overall health and safety of the city.

The program previously was thought to be self-sustaining financially, but after going down to having zero funds available for needed medical supplies, council took action.

Although water bills will not increase, 50 cents from each water bill now will go toward a fund created for the first responder program.

"We created a fund for the first responders, which had never been done. It was supposed to be self-sustaining, but that was dependant on going out and charging (for services)," Runge Mayor Homer Lott said. "We’re working on other things for them also under (the) Homeland Security Act."

In addition, council also authorized the purchase of an emergency beacon light. The light is intended to help emergency helicopters find a landing zone more efficiently in the dark.

The city council also discussed issues with Lake Paul Park, addressing the need for permanent restroom facilities. Currently, only portable facilities are available at the park, and the council voted to begin the process of adding permanent restrooms.

"We were getting them out of Pleasanton and the company did a good job, but it was so far for them to service them," Lott said of the portable restrooms. "We also had to tie them down because people were knocking them over."

Council also agreed to look into obtaining prices for baseball field lights that possibly could be used to illuminate the field that Runge’s Little League plays on, though no official decision was made to buy the lights.

Council considered the revision of Lake Paul Park’s practice field, as well. Lott gave plans to turn the practice field into a full-fledged field, saying the area needs two good fields for local sports teams to play on.