Neosho City Council Regular Session - November 3, 2026

The Neosho City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included approval of consent items, public comments, bid awards, new ordinances, and reports. All consent and most new business items passed unanimously (7-0). A proposal to increase the speed limit on South Street was not adopted by consensus.

Consent Calendar

• Bill No. 2026-73: Neosho Water and Sewer Infrastructure Expansion Agreement with MAW
• Bill No. 2026-74: Rocketdyne Park and Spring Valley Golf Course Clubhouse Renovation
• Bill No. 2026-75: Marion Co. LLC, On Call Street Cuts and Sidewalks
• Bill No. 2026-76: Contract for LensLock Body-Worn Camera System
• Bill No. 2026-77: Celebrate Neosho 2027 Fireworks_J&M Display
• Bill No. 2026-78: Amending Code Section 510.080
• Bill No. 2026-79: Lenslock AI_BodyCamera Software
• October 20, 2026 Council Minutes
• October 27, 2026 Special Session Minutes All nine items were approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dan Tice (golf course member and former golf committee chair) spoke regarding the treatment of senior golfers at the Neosho Golf Course by Maxim Golf management. He alleged rude treatment, intimidation, and that senior tee times were given away to outside groups to increase revenue. He requested the city council intervene on behalf of seniors, stating, "I'm trying to get City Hall to fight for me and the other senior golfers." The city manager responded that Maxim has contractual authority over management and memberships, and that members must adhere to membership policies set by Maxim.

Bids and Purchases

• Vehicle Sale Bids: Three bids were accepted: Tim Boyer ($3,500 for a truck with $3,000 minimum), Ringwood Motors ($1,280 for a Chevy Colorado with $2,500 minimum), and Jeff Barrett ($750 for a Sterling oil distributor). The remaining vehicles will go to auction. The city accepted the bids as presented (7-0).
• 2024 John Deere Loader 444: Purchase approved from Murphy John Deere at a total cost of $175,000, with a $20,000 trade-in on a 2008 model, netting $163,000. The budget was $200,000. Motion passed (7-0).

New Business

• Bill No. 2026-80 – Public Safety Tax on Domestic Utilities: An ordinance confirming the addition of the half-cent public safety sales tax (approved by voters in 2020) to domestic utilities (electric, natural gas, water). The city currently collects a 1% general tax on utilities; this adds the 0.5% public safety tax, totaling 1.5% city tax plus county tax. The Department of Revenue indicated the city could have applied this since 2020 but lacked the ordinance. Estimated annual revenue: $70,000. No retroactive collection. Passed (7-0).
• Bill No. 2026-81 – Surplus and Sale of PD Vehicle and PW Equipment: Declared a police department 2021 Dodge Durango and a public works tractor as surplus. The tractor will be used as trade-in for the previously approved loader. Passed (7-0).
• Bill No. 2026-82 – Banning Sale of Kratom, 7-OH, and Tianeptine: First reading of an ordinance prohibiting the possession, sale, and distribution of Kratom, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), and tianeptine (TNP). Police Chief Russell presented data showing opioid-like effects, addiction, overdoses (some unresponsive to Narcan), and sales to juveniles. Council discussed concerns about withdrawal, education period, and fairness. The chief assured a case-by-case enforcement approach with initial warnings. The motion passed (7-0) for first reading; second and third readings will follow.
• Bill No. 2026-83 – Diligent Meeting Management Software: Authorized a contract with Diligent Corporation for agenda packet creation and community platform subscription at $8,500 per year, with a three-year agreement limiting annual increases to 3% (down from 5%). Passed (7-0).
• Bill No. 2026-84 – Phase 1 All-Inclusive Playground: Authorized agreement with Play Power LT Farmington Inc. for purchase and installation of inclusive playground equipment at Rocketdyne Park, not to exceed $548,172.86. The total project budget is $617,000. Payment in two installments. Completion expected in approximately 300 days after start. Passed (7-0).

Discussion Items

• South Street Speed Change Request: The Traffic Commission proposed raising the speed limit from 15 mph to 25 mph between Warnall Street and Neosho Boulevard after the closure of Hillcrest Christian School. A traffic study found 30 school-age children cross South Street daily (11 morning, 19 afternoon) but only 7 use the existing crosswalk. The commission recommended removing the crosswalk and directing pedestrians to the controlled crosswalk at Neosho Boulevard. Council expressed concerns: no sidewalk on South Street for pedestrians to reach the boulevard, risk of increased accidents at higher speed, and that children would not follow the detour. Consensus was to not change the speed limit and leave it at 15 mph.

Reports of City Officers

• Veterans Recognition: Thirteen city employees who served or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces were recognized ahead of Veterans Day (November 11). Each was named along with their branch and years of service.
• Halloween Bash Update: The October 30 event drew an estimated 8,000 attendees (door counter stopped at 6,500). 25 vendors participated, 6,000 hot dogs were sold. The event was deemed a success, with next year already reserved.
• Shop with a Hero: Scheduled for December 12 at 10 a.m. at the Walmart Garden Center. New this year: Santa Claus and caroling. The program serves underprivileged children.
• Neosho November Food Drive: The police department is leading a dry goods drive for the Help Center, which currently can only provide fresh produce and limited meals. The department aims to stock shelves to help families in need.
• ADA Transition Plan: The city is finalizing an ADA transition plan to comply with federal law. The deadline has been extended due to cost and complexity. The plan will be presented to council soon.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items and most new business items were approved unanimously (7-0).
• The South Street speed change was rejected by council consensus.
• The Kratom ban (Bill 2026-82) passed first reading; final approval expected at a subsequent meeting.
• The public safety tax on utilities (Bill 2026-80) was passed and will take effect after notification and Department of Revenue processing.
• The city will proceed with the inclusive playground and the Diligent software contract.
• Staff will continue work on the ADA transition plan.
• Upcoming events: Shop with a Hero (Dec 12) and Neosho November food drive.