West Plains moving forward with 1 cent sales tax for new sports complex

The city of West Plains moved forward with the plan to implement a one cent sales tax increase after the first reading of Bill 4821 was heard and approved. If the second reading is approved, the one cent sales tax will go before voters in the August election.

 

City Administrator Sam Anselm explained that the current expenditures that the city is seeing in different departments, "We felt the additional one cent sales tax could be considered by voters. The city currently has a one cent sales tax on the books, and this additional one cent would not exceed state laws that allow no more than two cents of sales tax. We could use those funds once we identify the cost of the sports complex, what the amortization schedule would be like to pay back the bonds, and to identify potential on-going needs beyond the five years that we see capital improvement plan or on-going general fund five-year plan." According to Anselm, the current one cent sales tax generates $4 million, and the funds from this sales tax can fund anything within the city.

 

During the meeting, the city of West Plains welcomed new member Crockett Oaks III to the council and said goodbye to councilmember Jessica Nease during the city's regular session meeting held on Monday, April 20. Mayor Mike Topliff thanked council member Jessica Nease for her years of service to the City of West Plains (2018 to 2026). "It's been an adventure for sure, and it's been a lot of fun."

 

Before swearing in Oaks, the board approved the consent agenda consisting of approval of March 23, 2026 regular meeting minutes, a review of election results, and the second reading of Bill 4818 to become Ordinance 4818, an ordinance approving the adoption of amended budgets for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2026 and ending December 31, 2026 was approved.

 

Greg P. Collins was elected as Mayor Pro-Tem and approved council appointments for: Planning & Zoning-Councilmember Collins and Mayor Topliff; Tourist Advisory Committee-Councilmember Ron Grennan; Parks & Recreation-Council member Oaks III; Civic Center-Councilmember Johnny Murrell; Library-Councilmember Murrell; and Airport-Councilmember Grennan.

 

Other appointments include: Tree City USA Board appointment-Taylor Butler to fill the unexpired 3-year term of Bailey White set to expire June 2028; and Planning & Zoning Commission appointment-Jayden Wiley to fill the unexpired 4-year term of Crockett Oaks III set to expire September 2029.

 

The board approved the disposal of records, GS 050: Permits and Licenses, 1967-2023, 7 cubic feet; Surplus Vehicle & Equipment: 2011 Ford F-550 Altec Bucket Truck, and a Ditch Witch Zahn R300 Tracked Trencher; Surplus Property: City block generally located at 435 Aid Avenue, east of Aid Avenue, west of Walnut Street, north of Poplar Avenue, and south of Prospect Street.

 

Resolutions 2026-04, and 2026-05 were approved. Resolution 2026-04-A resolution of the City of West Plains, Missouri, authorizing a lease agreement between the City of West Plains and the Board of Governors of Missouri State University for the purpose of leasing to the university certain space within the West Plains Civic Center for office, storage, and certain types of events. Tony Aruzo, Civic Center Manager explained that the resolution is a renewal of their current contract for July 2026 to June 2027 with changes of payment that was adjusted by the consumer price index as of December 2025 to annually of $133,332.

 

Resolution 2026-05, a resolution of the City of West Plains, Missouri, approving the adoption of dilapidated to new, demolition programs under certain guidelines. This would be an offer of a program to individuals that are looking to redevelop homes in the City of West Plains. The offer would be 50/50 and 100 percent. The purchaser would take a dilapidated home and split the cost with a developer or do a 100 percent buyout with the agreement the new purchases would sign a two-year agreement that they would build a new home within those two years.

 

First readings for Bill 4819, Bill 4820, and Bill 4821 were approved.

 

Bill 4819, an ordinance of the City of West Plains, Missouri, authorizing the mayor or city administrator to apply for federal financial assistance on behalf of the City of West Plains and to execute any contract(s) resulting from such application for any grants between the City of West Plains and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission providing for capital, operating, and/or marketing assistance, comprised of federal funds to be expended for commission-approved transit projects. Bill 4820, an ordinance of the City of West Plains, Missouri, amending Chapter 2, Article IV, Division 10, Sections 2-400 through 2-404 of the City of West Plains Municipal Code relating to Airport Advisory Board. Bill 4821, an ordinance of the City of West Plains, Missouri, calling an election to be held on August 4, 2026, in order to submit a proposition to the qualified voters regarding the authorization for a one percent sales tax which would be in addition to the city's existing one percent sales tax.

 

The City Council of West Plains will meet again on Monday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m. in regular session.