City Government

Four seats, two general and two zone seats are up for reelection next April. All four are for four-year terms.

According to data compiled by Sharity, children are the most affected group of homeless individuals in Joplin at 65%, or 460 children. While adults between the ages of 18 and 64 years old are the second largest group of homeless individuals at 34% or 189 people.

The examination of Joplin’s financial records and management practices won’t get underway until, at the earliest next summer and could take as long as a year to complete.

In August 2015, the Missouri State Auditor's Office found several violations which resulted in the lowest rating possible, poor.

The new justice center will increase workspace and allow the department to hire a new forensics investigator. Due to a lack of space JPD cannot currently hire this position. The new construction would also allow covered parking for the department's fleet of patrol cars. Allowing both the cars and officers to be protected from severe weather and helping protect the vehicles from sleet, ice and snow.

The Midwest is known for having low property taxes compared to coastal states. According to an analysis this year from Wallethub, Oklahoma ranked 25th and Missouri 29% for property taxes in the US. Kansas has the highest property tax rates in the Four States and ranks 37th. Arkansas is tied with Arizona for 12th.

The 1.2-mile trail and parking lot has been a long time coming. Funding for the project is from the ½ cent stormwater sales tax that Joplin residents approved in 2011, before the tornado that destroyed ⅓ of the city. Over a year ago, in June of 2022 the city council voted to advance the project.

PGAV Destinations created a detailed presentation they provided to the city council Monday night. It includes short term goals for the JH&MM such as updating its website, being more active on social media, identifying Joplin’s brand identity and hosting special events to create revenue.

The number of homeless individuals in Joplin has shown growth and decline over the past 12 years. The highest number of unhoused people in Joplin and accounted for by the Homeless Coalition was 2012, the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed ⅓ of the city.

The change to sewer billing, if approved, would bring in line with what Neosho city residents pay, and those who live outside of city limits but use Neosho city services. The Neosho City Council already approved an increase in water rates. Both the water and possible sewer rate increases could take effect on Oct. 1.