Joplin finances improve after making audit-recommended changes
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The city of Joplin has collected approximately $2 million in outstanding accounts after a state audit identified weaknesses in its collection procedures.
During an interview with Newstalk KZRG, City Manager Nick Edwards said the city’s finance and legal departments have become more aggressive in pursuing money owed to the city.
“We don’t have a collections agency. We’re not dinging credit scores,” Edwards said. “They’ve been much more aggressive about collecting those monies that are due to the city.”
Special tax bills remain particularly difficult to collect. The Missouri State Auditor’s Office previously recommended that Joplin strengthen its procedures for collecting delinquent accounts.
The audit gave the city an overall rating of “fair” and also raised concerns about budgeting, transparency and accounting controls.
Edwards also discussed plans to expand Joplin’s trolley system as ridership increases.
The proposal would relocate some stops and add another bus, although route or capital changes must go through a federally required public review process.
“The trolley is just a wonderful service for the community,” Edwards said. “It can do anything from help you to get groceries, to take you to your medical appointments.”
Edwards credited higher wages with helping the city recruit and retain commercial driver’s license holders following earlier staffing shortages that interrupted transit service. Federal and state grants are also expected to help cover equipment costs.
Joplin’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget calls for nearly $170.8 million in spending, down from about $185 million during the current year. Edwards said much of the decrease reflects the completion of one-time projects funded through the American Rescue Plan Act rather than widespread service cuts.
The budget anticipates modest revenue growth while personnel expenses continue to rise. It also begins preparations for implementing voter-approved Proposition Police and Fire funding.
The City Council will review the proposal during public budget work sessions Sept. 22 and 23.
Both sessions begin at 5:45 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.
