Longtime clerk Jackson bids farewell at Republic City Council meeting

After 13 years in the Republic city clerk’s chair, Brenda Jackson set sail for retirement following the Jan. 8 Republic City Council meeting.
Several were in attendance to show support for Jackson including former mayor Brian Buckner, former city attorney Ron Dirickson, and a handful of Jackson’s friends from the Missouri City Clerks and Finance Officers Association.
“You will be missed but your work and your legacy will live for years to come,” said Buckner during a brief speech.
Republic Mayor Jeff Ussery added, “You’ve been a huge asset to the city. I will miss you.”
Brought to tears, Jackson also received gifts and kind words from her friends from MCCFOA.
During the meeting’s business, the board again revisited a property on East Elm Street that was recently denied a rezone from residential to business. The new request, from owners Alex and Marsha Clark, asked for a special use permit to operate a real estate office in a residential district.
After much discussion, and a failure to accept four amendments proposed through city attorney Scott Ison by Council Member Garry Wilson, the permit was granted, supported by all members of the council—including Wilson.In other actions, the board voted 8-0 to:
- Change user fees by the Parks and Recreation Department to counteract the upcoming minimum wage increase;
- Accept the final plat of the Monte Cristo Phase Four Subdivision;
- Amend the city code regarding utilities.
On a 6-2 vote the council also passed an ordinance amending the city charter on several items including changing the council members’ and mayor’s term to four years. Council members John Jones and Eric Franklin dissented.
It was also announced that longtime Parks and Rec employee Jennafer Mayfield received a promotion to assistant director of the department.
During the finance report, Finance Director Debbie Parks announced that the city enjoyed a sales tax increase in 2018, over 2017, by 4.66 percent.
In the early moments of the meeting, local realtor Sue Carter presented a real estate report for the city of Republic. Carter said the city sold more than $80 million in real estate in 2018, more than ever, and even topped the growth percentage of Ozark and Nixa.
Due to remodeling at city hall, the meeting was held at Republic Fire Department Station No. 1.