Joplin City Council Informal Session - July 6, 2026

The Joplin City Council held an informal session on July 6, 2026, covering board appointments, an investment update from the finance director, an IT department update, and a recap of the 2025-2026 snow season from the infrastructure maintenance division. Key actions included appointments to the Building Board of Appeals and Library Board.

Boards and Commissions Appointments

• Building Board of Appeals: Council Member Jackson nominated Ben Kessinger. The appointment was approved unanimously (9-0).
• Library Board: Three nominations were made: Eric Dethridge (by the Mayor), Keenan Klein (by a council member), and Jamie Hammond (by the Mayor). On the vote, Eric Dethridge received 6 votes in favor, Keenan Klein received 0 votes, and Jamie Hammond abstained. Eric Dethridge was approved.

Investment Update

• Director of Finance Leslie Haas reported that the city is resuming investments of idle funds due to improved interest rates, with two-year U.S. treasuries earning about 2% more than the current depository bid.
• The city's first investment bid was conducted on June 24, 2026, investing $4 million in two U.S. treasuries with two-year maturities at a minimal markup (half a basis point).
• Investment policy priorities are safety of principal, market rate of return, and liquidity. Eligible investments include U.S. treasuries, collateralized CDs (106% collateral), and government-sponsored entities (e.g., Ginnie Mae). CMOs are not allowed.

IT Department Update

• IT Director Morris marked the fifth anniversary of the 2021 ransomware attack and noted improvements in cybersecurity posture, including ongoing retainer with Rave and I for two more years.
• Key initiatives completed: rebuilt server infrastructure (two larger physical servers into seven virtual servers), upgraded GIS software from version 10.8 to 11.5, and implemented an enterprise asset management system in March 2026.
• Ongoing: online business licensing for the finance department, and an upcoming engineering module for permits.
• The VoIP system eliminated long-distance charges. The department supports approximately 60 systems directly or indirectly.
• Morris noted the last IT analyst was hired in 2009 and advocated for an additional analyst due to increased network nodes from park security cameras (from 25 to 35 by year end). Council member Koppel asked about cost allocation: IT costs are charged to respective funds (e.g., parks/stormwater fund covers park-related IT work).

Snow Season Recap

• Infrastructure Maintenance Manager Chad Edwards presented the 2025-2026 snow season summary. One major winter storm occurred on January 24-25, 2026, with 6-8 inches of snow. Main routes were cleared within 24 hours, but sub-freezing temperatures caused residential streets to refreeze and delay melting.
• Material usage: 55 tons of salt, 14,400 gallons of brine, and 1,600 gallons of beet juice.
• Equipment purchased for the upcoming season: two single-axle dump trucks and one tandem-axle dump truck with snow plow packages (delivery October-December 2026), and an anti-ice tank.
• Plans for 2026-2027: advertise for 1,000 tons of road salt, request replacement tandem truck and snowblower attachment for the long-arm tractor in the 2026-2027 budget, and develop a "Snow Rodeo" training event by fall 2027.
• New routes added: downtown corridor (Virginia to Wall, 2nd to 6th streets), Iron Gates Drive, Glendale Road, Lone Elm, and Hammond's Boulevard.
• Council member Koppel raised the issue of snow blocking pedestrian access on the 20th Street viaduct, which affected students walking to school. The proposed solution is to use the long-arm tractor with a snowblower, to be funded in the upcoming budget.

Key Outcomes

• Ben Kessinger appointed to the Building Board of Appeals (9-0).
• Eric Dethridge appointed to the Library Board (6-0-1).
• The city will continue laddering investments of idle funds following the June bid.
• IT department will pursue hiring for an additional analyst position, with potential funding from non-general fund sources.
• Snow operations will proceed with new equipment, route additions, and a plan to address the 20th Street viaduct issue using a snowblower attachment.