During this month’s meeting of the West Plains City Council, Mayor Mike Topliff gave a state of the city address, summarizing 2023 and commenting on projects that are still underway and plans for the future.
The meeting was held March 18 with all council members present save for Johnny Murrell, who was absent.
Topliff’s address included mention of revenues and he commented that in 2023, general sales tax revenues were up $182,000 and use tax revenues were up $139,000 from 2022. Capital sales taxes were up $72,000 and transportation sales taxes were up $33,000 compared to the prior year.
A new tax was implemented by voters in 2023 via the collection of a sales tax on recreational marijuana sold by the two dispensaries located in city limits; it went into effect in January. The first deposit was received the first week of March, and Topliff said there will be better idea of next year's projected revenues once more deposits are made.
Capital projects completed in 2023 include the medical district road project near Ozarks Healthcare with the addition of a break-in-access at U.S. 63, a roundabout at Kentucky Avenue and Fifth Street, and improvements to Alaska Street between Sixth Street and Ninth Street.
The installation of all-inclusive playground equipment at Butler Children's Park last summer was the latest in an ongoing effort to make West Plains parks accessible for all children, Topliff commented.
In February, council members voted to sell the segregation-era Lincoln School to the Oaks family, and since then it has been turned into a community arts and cultural center.
A city comprehensive plan based in part on community input was adopted with the wants and needs of West Plains citizens taken into consideration, and will continue to be implemented. Flood control is an issue that has been on the collective mind of city officials since the historic 2017 flood, and with that has come evaluations of flood plains, plans for improvement and the securing of funds to implement those improvements.
One detention basin, the North Fork detention basin, is almost finished after weather and materials delays, and dirt work on the Galloway Creek detention basin will begin soon. The Galloway Creek project should be finished by the end of the summer, Topliff said.
As far as economic development, it's a neverending and ongoing process, Topliff reminded, and developers continue to research and reach out to businesses that might choose to locate in West Plains, bringing jobs and tax revenue with them. Construction of McAlister's Deli is underway at the corner of Broadway and U.S. 63, in the lot adjacent to 10Box Cost Plus grocery store.
Moving forward, there has been progress on the Independence Overpass project, with final plans submitted to the Missouri Department of Transportation for approval. Topliff estimated the job would go out for bids by the end of March and work could begin this summer. Power lines are being relocated along Independence Drive now.
The mayor also reminded everyone of the Party in the Path Eclipse Festival that is coming up next week. The four days of events kicks off with an Ozark Mountain Daredevils concert the evening of April 5 at the West Plains Civic Center and ends at the same place with the main event, the eclipse itself with a little over three minutes of totality.
Topliff concluded with a tip of the hat to everyone who works hard to make the city run, including council members and employees in all departments.
"It takes dedicated people to make these things happen, including a city council that commits to working together for the benefit of our residents, and a hard-working staff and crews who cares about our city. But none of this could happen without the dedicated people to make them happen. It is an honor to serve as the 27th Mayor of the great city of West Plains. This city’s history is undeniable, and optimism grows for its future."
Action taken during the meeting included the second reading and passage of an ordinance that will annex property owned by Justin Huddleston and Kelsie Rasor-Huddleston, a tract of land on Bill Virdon Boulevard to be annexed into the city with a zoning classification of C-2 General Commercial.
First readings of three ordinances were given, including the amendment of ordinances related to keeping properties free of weeds and grass overgrowth, the adoption of amended budgets for the current fiscal year and the designation of an entertainment district to allow for open containers of alcoholic beverages to be removed from downtown businesses that serve them. Second readings will be given during the city council’s next meeting, April 15.
Three resolutions were passed, including the appointment of Stephanie E. Karr as new city attorney due to the retirement of Charles Cantrell, and an agreement regarding her compensation and legal services.
Karr attended the meeting via Zoom and greeted all, saying she appreciates the opportunity to work with West Plains as an attorney with about 30 years of experience in municipal law. Anselm commented she is planning to visit West Plains in April.
Cantrell’s retirement is effective as of the end of this month, after about 30 years of service. He expressed his gratitude for those years and was thanked in return by council members for his efforts in guiding them through the legalities of running the city.
Other resolutions passed will allow City Administrator Sam Anselm to amend an agreement with the engineering firm of Toth and Associates related to flood prevention projects, and another that gives the mayor or city administrator permission to execute a grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation under the fiscal year 2023 Safe Streets and Roads For All grant program.
