Joplin City Council Meeting – February 18, 2026

The Joplin City Council met on February 18, 2026, in a lengthy session that included a financial report, approval of two budget amendments, and extensive public comment and debate on two linked ordinances to annex approximately 540 acres at the southwest corner of Central City Road and West 20th Street and rezone the property to heavy industrial. The annexation was approved unanimously (9-0), and the rezoning passed on a 7-2 vote. The meeting also included a moment of acknowledgment for the death of Mr. James Warrior during severe weather and public testimony on homelessness and city transparency.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved the consent agenda as presented (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Amanda Bierman (Advocates for Unhoused Research): Raised five unresolved issues: lack of council acknowledgment of a community member's death; failure to review or eliminate “county orders” harming homeless individuals; a 3% vacancy rate versus a healthy 5-7% rate; lack of transparency from city-funded groups; and failure to upload public documents. She also noted that many volunteers helping the unhoused are not Joplin residents, and argued that restricting public comment to residents would harm those efforts. Mayor responded by offering to meet.
• Dora Pearl Reeves (Fleeting Bridges Foundation): Called for compassionate leadership, acknowledging deaths tied to homelessness, filling the Homeless Coordinator role, and adopting evidence-based harm reduction. She urged the council to commit to immediate acknowledgment of deaths, stable oversight, and coordinated services.
• A poetic speaker (name unclear): Criticized the council for perceived lack of transparency and integrity, referencing a council member's social media post and alleged cover-ups.
• Mayor Cortez: Acknowledged the death of Mr. James Warrior during severe weather, calling it a tragedy and expressing condolences.

Discussion Items

• Financial Presentation: Finance Director Mrs. Hall reported February sales tax collections of just over $1.8 million (up 11% year-over-year), use tax up 17% year-to-date, and marijuana tax up 7%. General fund financials through January 31 showed operating revenue of $8.9 million (budget $9.2 million), operating expenditures of $8.7 million (budget $9.2 million), and outstanding encumbrances of $4.1 million. She noted that one-time revenue would be needed to balance the budget.
• Council Bill 2026-502 (Emergency Budget Amendment): Amended the FY2025 budget to increase expenditures by $2,353,000 for park subsidy ($650,000), golf course subsidy ($75,000), COVID transfer ($163,400), airport subsidy ($500,000), community planning fund ($169,100), depreciation expense at airport ($360,000), and insurance/claims ($190,000). Passed 9-0.
• Council Bill 2026-503 (First Reading Budget Amendment): Amended the FY2026 budget to increase revenue by $612,594 and expenditures by $726,780 for police patrol cars, COPS grant, vest carriers, AEDs, HVAC repairs, evidence equipment, hazardous waste grant, and fuel pump upgrades. Passed 9-0.
• Council Bill 2026-256 (Annexation): Ordinance to voluntarily annex approximately 540 acres. Staff presented three exhibits: a 2009 annexation agreement requiring annexation by 2029, prior annexation ordinances, and the Wildwood Ranch Industrial Complex Master Plan. The council noted that the property is contiguous with the city and annexation would allow the city to enforce zoning and performance standards.
• Council Bill 2026-257 (Rezoning to Heavy Industrial): Following annexation, the council considered rezoning the property. Many public speakers opposed the rezoning, citing concerns about a proposed data center (described as Bitcoin or AI), noise, water usage, electricity costs, tax abatements, impact on nearby seniors and schools, and lack of transparency. Some speakers questioned council integrity. Council members responded that they had done research, visited a data center in Pryor, OK, and argued that annexation gives the city control over noise, setbacks, and environmental standards. Councilman Dtarr asked about buffer zones and planned development options. The council discussed the possibility of a regulatory plan with performance standards.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 9-0.
• Council Bill 2026-502 (Emergency Budget Amendment): Passed 9-0.
• Council Bill 2026-503 (Budget Amendment, First Reading): Passed 9-0.
• Council Bill 2026-256 (Annexation): Passed 9-0 after public testimony and council discussion. The council noted that without annexation, the project could proceed in the county with fewer protections.
• Council Bill 2026-257 (Rezoning to Heavy Industrial): Passed on second reading and advanced to third reading by a vote of 7-2. Two council members opposed.
• Mayor’s Acknowledgment: The council formally recognized the death of Mr. James Warrior during severe weather, expressing condolences and noting the tragedy.