Carthage meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Carthage Library Board approves 20-year retirement plan; City Council adjusts budget

The Carthage Public Library Board of Trustees approved a resolution to pay employee retirement costs over the next 20 years, and the City Council approved a supplemental budget adjustment and amended the probationary period. The library board also paid $54,269.07 toward a new parking lot.

Library Board

The Carthage Public Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a resolution to pay Lagars over the next 20 years to cover all employee retirement costs. The board also approved and paid a $54,269.07 invoice for 26% of the new parking lot work. In other actions, the board amended its bylaws to accept stock donations for immediate liquidation, established a brokerage account with Edward Jones for those funds, and amended board term limits and compensation rules per RSMo 182.190. All votes were unanimous.

City Council

The Carthage City Council approved Ordinance 26-44 amending the probationary period in the Personnel Policy Manual (8-0) and Resolution 2128 authorizing a supplemental budget adjustment to the General Revenue and Golf Funds (8-0). The council also approved $140 per employee for early detection screenings, a CPFO training contract for Miranda Deal, and accepted a claims report totaling $2,372,562.72. The council approved Mariella Telles as Kellogg Lake Board Liaison. Several bills were introduced on first reading with no action: C.B. 26-45, 26-46, 26-47, and 26-48. The council then entered closed session to discuss real estate matters.

Budget Ways & Means Committee

The Budget Ways & Means Committee voted to forward acceptance of a $5,271.05 state taxi grant (3-0), a FY 25-26 budget amendment for year-end cleanup (2-0, with Ron Wells voting no), and the 2026 tax levy of 0.6629% (3-0) to the full council. The committee also discussed staff reports on IT, Marian Days, and the PW grader purchase.

Insurance/Audit & Claims Committee

The Insurance/Audit and Claims Committee approved changes to the Overtime and Compensatory Time Policy to align police and fire departments with FLSA standards, approved up to $140 per employee for Freeman Early Detection screenings, and approved a contract for Miranda Deal to pursue CPFO certification. All motions passed 4-0 and will be forwarded to the city council.

Special Council Session

The City Council met in special session on Aug. 13 and voted unanimously (8-0) to enter a closed session to discuss hiring, firing, disciplining, or promoting particular employees, citing Section 610.021 (3). The council returned to open session and adjourned without taking any public votes on substantive matters.

Committee Meetings

The Public Safety Committee met Aug. 17 to discuss the Rallye in the Park, Vision Carthage, the Annual Maple Leaf Festival, and the surplus of an old Animal Control box. No final decisions were taken; items were for discussion only.

The Public Services Committee met Aug. 18 to discuss a potential Mercy Fun Run at Municipal Park, a Carter Park cleanup day and new signage, a Saddle Club grant, and use of a park for Maple Leaf Festival events. The agenda also included approval of previous minutes and citizen participation.

The Carthage Water & Electric Plant Board met Aug. 20 to consider bids for several vehicles and a building, a track loader lease, and a resolution authorizing a loan to the CEDC through the CWEP Revolving Loan Fund. The board also approved disbursements for July totaling $5,725,882.99.

Coming up

The City Council will hold a public hearing on proposed 2026 property tax rates on Aug. 25. It will also vote on ordinances to amend the FY 2025-2026 budget, levy general taxes, accept state transit grants, and update personnel policies regarding overtime and compensatory time.

The Insurance/Audit and Claims Committee will meet Aug. 25 to review its claims report and approve minutes from the Aug. 11 meeting. No major policy decisions are listed on the agenda.

Carthage City Council approves $29,400 pool assessment, $930,539.91 in claims

The Carthage City Council approved a $29,400 contract for pool and electrical assessments and authorized more than $930,000 in city claims at its July 28 meeting, making it the most consequential decision of the past two weeks for city finances and services.

City Council

The council approved the pool and electrical assessment for $29,400, with Perkins voting no. It also approved $930,539.91 in claims across multiple city funds.

The council approved Resolution 2127, supporting the 47th Annual Marian Days Celebration, by an 8-0 vote. It approved Resolution 2126, accepting an anonymous donation of LED lights for the fire department valued at $3,649.80, also 8-0.

The council approved a memorandum of understanding with the R-9 school district for one school resource officer and two reserve officers. It also approved closing 2nd Street from Grant to the Kollogg Pavilion parking lot on Oct. 1, 3–10 p.m., and approved street striping across Centennial Avenue for the CW&EP parking lot.

The council approved $165 for employee lab work, with $135 from city funds and $30 from insurance.

Insurance / Audit & Claims Committee

The committee approved changes to Section 204 of the Personnel Policy Manual, establishing a uniform one-year probationary period for all employees, and forwarded the change to the council. The vote was 4-0.

The committee also approved $135 per person for health fair testing and the use of insurance funds for $30 A1C testing, 4-0. It approved its July 14 minutes and the claims report, each 4-0.

Public Safety Committee

The committee approved a partial closure of 2nd Street between Grant and Howard Streets on Oct. 1, 2026, for a McCune-Brooks Healthcare Foundation fundraiser, and approved food trucks for that event. It also approved a request for a crosswalk at 627 West Centennial Avenue.

The committee forwarded two items to the city council for final approval: an anonymous Fire Department donation request and a Carthage R-9 MOU. All motions passed.

Civil War Museum Advisory Board

The board appointed Chris Johnson as President and John Burgi as Vice President, both unanimously. It approved its March 24 minutes unanimously, decided to retain the existing 1999 mission statement, and agreed to develop a plan for a second-floor resource center.

Agenda-only meetings

The Carthage Redevelopment Corporation met July 21 to elect its Board of Directors and officers and review a redevelopment plan for the Burlingame Chaffee Building at 136 E. 4th Street. Minutes have not yet been published.

The Public Services Committee met July 21 to discuss a Soles4Paws fundraiser in Municipal Park and a proposed city pool assessment, along with staff reports on tourism, the Civil War Museum, Memorial Hall, golf, and parks. Minutes have not yet been published.

The Care Leave Committee met July 24 to approve previous minutes and discuss a care leave request. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **Aug. 3 — Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Commission:** Public hearings on three Certificates of Appropriateness: façade restoration at 116–118 W 4th, plaster installation over brick on the back façade at 141 Grant St, and a new awning on the front façade at 416 Lyon St. The commission will also discuss historic guidelines.
• **Aug. 4 — Tree Board:** At Kellogg Lake Pavilion, the board will approve previous minutes, review ash trees in Kellogg Park, and discuss Arbor Day 2027 plans.
• **Aug. 4 — Public Works Committee:** Canceled due to lack of a quorum.

Carthage City Council adopts supplemental budget adjustment; street closure and crosswalk approved

The Carthage City Council adopted Resolution 2125, a supplemental budget adjustment affecting four city funds, in a 9-0 vote at its July 14 meeting. The council also amended open-burning rules, authorized support for the Myers Park Villas II project, and accepted the resignation of Council member Ray West effective August 1.

City Council

The council approved Ordinance 26-43 amending the open-burning code on a 9-0 vote. It authorized the mayor to sign a letter of support for the Myers Park Villas II project. Resolution 2125, the supplemental budget adjustment for four funds, passed 9-0.

The council approved salary grade changes for two positions, moving both the Assistant Parks and Recreation Director and the Assistant Public Works Director from grade L to grade M; the Public Works employee was placed on step 5. Members also approved the sale of a larger road grader and the purchase of a smaller one, and accepted a claims report totaling $3,030,788.13 covering multiple city funds.

Council member Ray West submitted his resignation, effective August 1. No vote was required.

Budget Ways & Means

On July 13, the Budget Ways & Means Committee voted 4-0 to forward FY 2025-2026 budget adjustment resolutions to the City Council. The committee also discussed transitioning to a priority-based budgeting model and requested research on how other cities implement it. June 8, 2026 minutes were approved 4-0.

Public Safety Committee

The Public Safety Committee approved a partial closure of 2nd Street between Grant and Howard Streets on October 1, 2026, for a McCune-Brooks Healthcare Foundation fundraiser, along with food trucks for that event. The committee also approved a new crosswalk at 627 West Centennial Ave for Carthage Water and Electric.

Two items were forwarded to the City Council for final approval: an anonymous Fire Department donation request and a Carthage R-9 school district memorandum of understanding.

Civil War Museum Advisory Board

The board appointed Chris Johnson as President and John Burgi as Vice President, both by unanimous vote. Members approved March 24, 2026 minutes unanimously, decided to retain the existing 1999 mission statement, and agreed to develop a plan for a second-floor resource center.

Items noted from agendas only

Several bodies met or are scheduled to meet with agendas published but minutes not yet available. The Insurance/Audit and Claims Committee on July 14 listed salary and job-description items for the Assistant Parks and Recreation Director and Assistant Public Works Director. The Public Library Board was scheduled to vote on bylaws revisions, invoice approvals, and a resolution on political subdivision election changes. The Carthage Water & Electric Board was scheduled to consider disbursements totaling $6,506,911.81 and a resolution authorizing a loan to the CEDC. The Public Services Committee was set to discuss a Soles4Paws fundraiser in Municipal Park and a proposed city pool assessment. The Carthage Redevelopment Corporation was scheduled to review a redevelopment plan for the Burlingame Chaffee Building at 136 E. 4th Street. The Care Leave Committee was set to discuss a care leave request.

Minutes for these meetings had not been published as of this report; outcomes listed reflect agenda items only.

Coming up

• **July 28 — Insurance/Audit and Claims Committee:** Discussion of changes to Section 204 (Probationary Period) of the Personnel Policy Manual and an employee health fair.
• **July 28 — City Council:** Ordinance to amend the probationary period; Resolution 2126 accepting a $3,649.80 LED-light donation to the Fire Department; Resolution 2127 authorizing support for the 47th Annual Marian Days Celebration; mayor's appointment to the Police and Fire Pension board.
• **August 3 — Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Commission:** Public hearings on façade restoration at 116–118 W 4th, plaster installation at 141 Grant St, and a new awning at 416 Lyon St; discussion of historic guidelines.

Carthage City Council adopts supplemental budget adjustment; Ray West resigns effective August 1

The Carthage City Council adopted Resolution 2125, a supplemental budget adjustment affecting four city funds, on a 9-0 vote at its July 14 meeting. The council also accepted a $3,030,788.13 claims report covering multiple city funds and approved the sale of a larger road grader and purchase of a smaller grader. Council member Ray West submitted his resignation, effective August 1.

City Council

The council approved several personnel actions. The Assistant Parks and Recreation Director's salary grade was changed from L to M, and the Assistant Public Works Director's salary grade was changed from L to M with the employee placed on step 5. Both motions carried.

Ordinance 26-43, amending open-burning rules, passed 9-0. The council authorized the mayor to sign a letter of support for the Myers Park Villas II project. No vote was required for West's resignation.

Public Works Committee

On July 7, the committee approved the sale of the current road grader and purchase of a smaller, newer model, an action the City Council later ratified. The committee forwarded an overhead electric easement agreement to the City Council and forwarded a senior housing permit fee waiver request to the Council contingent on more information.

Budget Ways & Means

On July 13, the committee voted 4-0 to forward FY 2025-2026 budget adjustment resolutions to the City Council. Members also discussed transitioning to a priority-based budgeting model and requested research on how other cities implement it.

Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Committee

On July 6, the committee approved a blight declaration for 103 E 3rd Street on a 3-0 vote with one abstention. A facade restoration request for 116-118 W 4th Street was tabled 2-1 until the next meeting. Members also reviewed and adjusted the Historic District Guidelines matrix.

Tree Board

The Tree Board approved its previous meeting minutes 3-0 on July 7. Discussion covered potential headstones for Liberty Tree locations, ash tree removal projects, and a volunteer offer for Central Park. No action was taken on a Fair Acres memorial donation request. The ash tree removal project remains pending follow-up with the Parks Director.

Agendas only (minutes not yet published)

The Carthage Public Library Board met July 14 to consider revising bylaws on gifts of corporate stock, approving an invoice from Randy Dubry Construction, and a resolution regarding political subdivision election changes. The Library Gardens received a Carthage in Bloom 1st place award for best business gardens.

The Insurance/Audit and Claims Committee met July 14 to consider changes to section 2-160 on resignation or discharge, a salary change for the Assistant Parks and Recreation Director, and a job description for the Assistant Public Works Director.

The Carthage Water & Electric Board met July 16 with disbursements totaling $6,506,911.81 on the agenda, along with bids for on-call excavation services, completion of the Economic Development Park Access Road, and Resolution 2026.08 authorizing a loan to the CEDC.

Coming up

• **July 20 — Public Safety Committee:** Will consider a request to partially close 2nd Street between Grant Street and Howard Street on October 1, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for a McCune-Brooks Healthcare Foundation fundraiser, including food truck parking. The committee will also discuss an anonymous donation to the Fire Department.
• **July 21 — Carthage Redevelopment Corporation:** Board and officer elections, plus review of a redevelopment plan for the Burlingame Chaffee Building at 136 E. 4th Street.
• **July 21 — Civil War Museum Advisory Board:** Will discuss officer positions and leadership following President David Armstrong's resignation, effective June 23, 2026.
• **August 3 — Planning, Zoning & Historic Preservation Commission:** Public hearings on three Certificates of Appropriateness, including the tabled facade restoration request for 116-118 W 4th Street, plaster installation over brick at 141 Grant St, and a new awning at 416 Lyon St.