Joplin approves $183m budget as council divides over employee raises, major projects

Joplin city leaders approved a nearly $183 million budget Monday night, but a proposal to give city employees substantial raises divided the City Council, delaying final approval of a pay plan intended to address staffing shortages and employee retention.

The meeting also brought decisions on millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements, plans to rehabilitate a deteriorating downtown parking garage and new possibilities for redeveloping the Northpark Mall area.

Employee raises spark disagreement

The most contentious financial discussion involved a proposal to increase pay schedules for general city employees by 12%, in addition to a 2% cost-of-living adjustment.

Council members voted 5-3 in favor of the proposal, but the measure failed to receive the support needed for expedited approval. It must return for second and third readings at the council's first November meeting.

Council member Ryan Jackson argued that applying the same percentage increase across the organization would disproportionately benefit higher-paid employees.

Jackson pointed out that a worker earning approximately $33,000 annually would receive a raise of less than $4,000, while some of the city's highest-paid employees could receive increases approaching $20,000.

"That's still astronomical," Jackson said. "That's more than half the pay that some of these people are making. That's not right."

Council member Keenan Cortez defended the raises, arguing that employees throughout the organization are underpaid and that even smaller dollar increases would provide meaningful financial relief.

"If you're making $31,000 a year and you get a 12% increase, you're going to feel that in your very next paycheck," Cortez said.

Finance Director Leslie Haase said existing compensation studies indicate city salaries are broadly below market rates.

The proposal also includes adjustments designed to prevent experienced employees from earning the same wages as newly hired workers.

Human Resources Director Michelle Ducre told council members the city has 34 vacant positions, with several additional recent resignations.

She cited low pay, heavy workloads, limited advancement opportunities and childcare difficulties as reasons employees leave.

New public safety tax shapes city budget

Despite the disagreement over salaries, council members approved the city's $182.9 million spending plan for fiscal 2027, which begins November 1.

The budget includes approximately $165.4 million in projected revenue, including transfers, with additional appropriations across city funds. The difference does not necessarily represent an operating deficit.

A major component is the implementation of the city's new police and fire sales tax, expected to generate approximately $10 million annually.

The plan provides for previously negotiated police and fire raises of approximately 23%, along with equipment purchases, replacement fire apparatus and design work for Fire Station 3.

37 public safety positions will be reassigned to a newly established sales tax fund, freeing money in the general fund to help cover additional employee raises.

Council member Mary Price questioned the financial arrangement, asking whether shifting existing personnel expenses into the new fund would provide enough resources for future public safety improvements.

Haase said the transfers are necessary under governmental accounting requirements and emphasized that the plan includes significant new investments in police and fire services.

Millions approved for roads, trails and downtown improvements

Council members also unanimously approved a $3.935 million agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the I-44 Bridge and Trail Project.

The project will coordinate trail and infrastructure improvements with MoDOT's planned expansion of Interstate 44.

Joplin will assume responsibility for maintaining a trail segment within state highway right of way, which is expected to connect with additional trails in the future.

Downtown, council members advanced plans to rehabilitate the aging parking garage at Sixth and Virginia.

Public Works Director Dan Johnson said approximately 70% of the structure will need replacement, with portions of deteriorating concrete already falling from the garage.

"There are literally chunks of concrete falling off on the underneath side," Johnson said. "This needs done. Absolutely. This has to happen."

The garage construction is estimated at approximately $5.1 million. Council members advanced an additional $188,738 engineering agreement, with construction bidding expected to begin in November.

Council also voted 7-1 to advance a nearly $1.6 million contract with Signature Dirtworx LLC to replace the Willow Branch culvert beneath Wall Avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets.

The decision followed a dispute over contractor selection and concerns about coordinating the project with ongoing Seventh Street construction.

Northpark Mall redevelopment, new jobs discussed

The meeting also provided a glimpse of what could be a major transformation of the area surrounding Northpark Mall and Missouri Southern State University.

Consultants with Place Foundry presented three redevelopment possibilities focused on additional shopping and restaurants, new housing near campus, or an entertainment and event district.

Their preliminary research estimates Joplin residents spend approximately $59 million annually outside the city in retail and dining categories that could potentially be captured by new local businesses.

The study also identifies opportunities for improved walking connections between the university and mall, including the existing trail across Turkey Creek.

A final redevelopment plan could be presented to city officials by May or June 2027.

Meanwhile, the MoKAN Partnership reported that potential economic development projects under consideration could represent at least 675 jobs and $602 million in capital investment.

Officials cautioned that those figures involve prospective projects, not confirmed business announcements.

The City Council is expected to revisit the employee salary proposal in November, while the downtown infrastructure projects and Northpark redevelopment planning move through additional stages of review.