Republic City Council approves subdivision changes, budget amendment forecasts slower growth, better outcome

The Republic City Council approved two subdivision changes and spent considerable time reviewing a major amendment to the current budget during its May 5 meeting. 
The subdivision action on a little more than five acres of the Frisco Commons Planned Development District generated no new questions from council members. New owner Westward Land Company, which bought out Modern Tractor and Supply, asked to alter the plat for an arched section of what is now undeveloped land. The latest proposal changed two end lots so that all of the section could be reclassified for smaller lots and greater density, going from 16 to 20 units. 
According to civil engineer Chris Winn, the change will allow construction of five-plexes on the property instead of four-plexes. No one spoke against the change either at the Planning and Zoning meeting or to staff after the first reading of the proposal. 
The second change focused on the planned development district just west of James River Expressway and south of West Farm Road 144. This nearly 78.5-acre section had been zoned for development as part of the abandoned Eclipse Event Center that would have included approximately 900 acres in Brookline. This development had been listed in the city’s 2021 comprehensive plan for commercial development. 
The latest proposal reverts the land back to agricultural zoning, matching the original use in Greene County for surrounding land. The change does not eliminate further development of the land. According to staff notes, agricultural zoning “is intended for single-family residential development within the city limits that are not yet served by City of Republic water and sewer infrastructure, as well as agricultural or agricultural-related uses.” Chris Tabor, city principal planner, indicated the change at this time simply brings the land “back to its current use.”
Council members again raised no questions and approved the change. 
 
Budget amendment
Prior to the meeting, council members held a budget workshop, reviewing major changes to the city’s 2026 spending plan. As Bob Ford, chief financial officer, explained, the end result of the amendment, introduced for first reading only at the meeting, reduced capital expenditures by $6 million. The amendment, however, changed many income projections as well as spending strategies for the year. 
Revenues were projected to hold steady with 2025, largely due to holding water and sewer rates the same. That cut projected income by $2 million. However, Ford pointed out the city gained $2 million through the sale of the Oak Court Place lots at 204 Main. Another land sale for property on Sawyer Road is pending. The city’s operating budget saw revenue projections reduced from $40.6 million to $38.6 million. With an operating expense of $33.6 million and total earnings of $6.9 million, Ford projected seeing an end number of $525,000 better than the original projected budget. 
Ford explained the city managed to reduce overall spending by $1.2 million by using an in-house attorney to reduce legal and consulting fees, and $1 million by not relying on an outside operator to run the wastewater treatment plant during the transition to a new system. However, personnel expenses rose by $645,000. This stemmed from using an in-house attorney, paralegal, hiring a communications coordinator, and a human resources benefits specialist. 
Also, human resources coordinator Rachel Reich-Graef spoke at the workshop about a wage analysis done on city staff. This resulted in adjusting wages for 33 employees, raising costs to the city by $160,000 annually. 
Ford explained with the changes, the city began the year with $31.9 million in cash and would end the year with $22 million. The city began the year with $86.3 million in debt and would end the year with $104.9 million in debt, in part with the addition of $21.1 million borrowed from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ State Revolving Fund to finish the wastewater treatment plant. 
The capital improvements budget, spending $43.9 million, anticipated a $1.4 million deficit. This will be the final year of the wastewater plant construction, offset by grants and transfers from the city’s capital improvements sales tax. Ford nonetheless expected a consolidated net surplus of $5.5 million for the year. The cash fund, starting the year at $32 million, would end the year at $22 million. 
“That puts the city in a good position for 2026,” Ford concluded. 
 
Resolutions
Council members passed a resolution authorizing the city to apply for an $11 million Safe Streets for All grant through the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). This effort represented a partnership with the Ozarks Transportation Organization. Funds would be used to make roadway safety improvements along Hwy. MM between Route 360 and Haile Street, part of the Hwy. MM widening effort. MoDOT had more than $2 million available for right of way, utilities and construction, along with $595,000 for engineering. 
The staff report noted MoDOT was contributing $2.6 million in matching funds. The work was expected to benefit the Hankins Industrial Park and other growth along both Hwy. MM and Sawyer Road. Karen Haynes, community development director, reported the city will be responsible for overages if cost projections are exceeded. 
 
Proclamations
Mayor Eric Franklin issued two proclamations. The first recognized city staff in declaring City Employees Appreciation Week for May 4-8. The proclamation, Franklin noted, offered a way to say “thank you to the team members who work in the spotlight and those who work behind the scenes; in the sun in the rain, the ice and snow, and in our pipes down below. Our city takes great pride in their work, and their kindness helps make Republic a wonderful place where we can all live, work, and play together.” 
City Administrator Colten Harris accepted the resolution for the city employees. 
Franklin also declared Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month, drawing recognition to those challenged by a genetic condition that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. The resolution brought specific attention to the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Cindy Rodriguez for the foundation was on hand to receive the proclamation. She spoke about wearing green and blue to bring recognition to the issue, posting lighting displays, and the foundation’s 31-mile challenge fundraiser during the month of May. 
 
Staff reports
City Administrator Harris noted Ashlee Rowen, the new communications coordinator, started work at the end of April. She would amplify streamlining internal communications, he said. Rowen would also be “dialing up” communication between City Hall and the community. 
Harris discussed the tabletop emergency exercise held in conjunction with the Republic school district that included a response by city emergency teams, hosted by the city’s fire department. Harris observed that in such scenarios, “You don’t rise to the occasion; you fall to the highest level of preparation.” 
Harris accompanied a team of wastewater operators to critical training, where they met with other agencies in a similar position as Republic, transitioning from an activated sludge plant to a membrane bioreactor plant. He said newly established lines of communication would help city crews to work out issues that arise during the transition. 
On the advanced metering infrastructure upgrade, replacing utility meters across the city, Harris said crews had completed about half of the meter changes, moving quickly through residential areas. Work on the commercial district would be slower, but he was optimistic about keeping ahead of the 12-month schedule. 
Realignment and widening of Hwy. MM would have Stone Falls Road closed from May 26 to Aug. 21. Harris referred the public to the MoDOT website for updates. 
Mayor Franklin lamented the recent heavy hailstorm that caused widespread damage across the city. He looked forward to seeing the public at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Republic library branch on June 1.
Upcoming meetings include a city council session on May 9, a workshop on June 2 followed by a city council meeting.