The Friday Newsflash - September 26, 2025

The Big Takeaways - September 23, 2025
The Board of Aldermen met in Work Session on September 23 to finalize the FY2026 Budget. Finance Director Rick Welch presented the considerations for the FY2026 Budget and shared that the City has received notification from the Missouri State Auditor's Office that a petition drive for a State Audit was successful. Based on discussions with the State Auditor's Office, the estimated cost for the audit is $125,000-$150,000 which would be the responsibility of the City of Smithville. The Board recommended to staff to include the cost of the State Audit in the FY2026 Budget. The Board directed staff to remove the following from the Draft FY2026 Budget to balance the cost of the audit: Outside Agency Financial Assistance, World Cup Funding, Mini Excavator, and the replacement of a Parks Golf Cart. The Board will consider the FY2026 Budget on October 7 and October 21, the City's Fiscal Year begins on November 1. 

The work session materials and video can be found here. 

The Board of Aldermen met in in Regular Session and took the following action:

  • The Mayor Proclaimed October 3, 2025 as Bettie Bender Day. The City celebrated Bettie's 100th Birthday
  • Held a Public Hearing on the Property Tax Levy
  • Held a Public Hearing on The Shops at Smithville CID
  • Held a Public Hearing on the Shops at Smithville Chapter 353 Plan
  • Approved the August 19, 2025, Board of Aldermen Special Session Minutes
  • Approved the August 19, 2025, Board of Aldermen Work Session Minutes
  • Approved the August 19, 2025, Board of Aldermen Regular Session Minutes
  • Approved the Financial Report for August 2025
  • Approved a Resolution approving a water and wastewater leak adjustment request for Calvin Wood
  • Approved a Resolution approving a water and wastewater leak adjustment request for Seth Rulon
  • Approved a Resolution approving and establishing a pre-qualified On-Call Professional Services Listing
  • Approved on second reading an Ordinance approving the destruction of certain records.
  • Approved on first and second reading an Ordinance fixing the annual rate of levy on all taxable property within the City of Smithville, Missouri, for the year 2025 Pursuant to 67.110 RSMo.
  • Approved on first reading an Ordinance approving the petition for establishment of The Shops at Smithville Community Improvement District (CID), establishing the district, and making findings and authorizing actions related to establishment of the district.
  • Approved on first reading an Ordinance approving The Shops at Smithville Redevelopment Plan pursuant to Chapter 353 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, Declaring the Redevelopment Area a Blighted Area and making finding and authorizing actions related to the Plan. 
  • During New Business, Ward 2 Alderman Russell read a letter of resignation from the Board of Aldermen. The letter will be attached to the minutes from the September 23, 2025 meeting. 
The City Administrator's report can be found here.

The meeting materials and video can be found here. 

Dates to Remember 

  • Bulky Item Pick-Up: September 29 - October 3
  • Board of Aldermen Meeting: October 7
  • Planning & Zoning Commission: October 14
  • Parks Committee: October 16
  • Sports
    • Winter sports online registration will open soon!
      • Youth Basketball: Oct 19 deadline (registration opened 9/20)
      • Little Hoopsters: Until full (opens 10/1)
    • Spring sports online registration will open Jan 1 – youth soccer, little kickers soccer clinic, youth baseball, youth softball, youth t-ball
  • Programs & Events – REGISTER HERE
    • Fishing with a Firefighter: September 27
    • Yoga at the Courtyard: Tuesdays in October
    • Little Leaves Play Dates: Tuesdays in October
    • Howl-O-Ween: October 4
    • Smithville’s Haunted Campground: October 18
    • Brushes & Bites: November 7
    • Puzzle Palooza: November 14
    • Smith’s Fork Park Closed for COE’s Managed Deer Hunt: November 22-23
    • Candy Cane Quest: December 5
    • Holiday Lights Contest: online voting open Dec 8-26
Community Engagement Updates
  • City Employees had their own Spirit Week for some fun employee engagement to lead up to SHS Homecoming!
  • Citizens Academy learned about Public Works this week. They toured the Animal Pound, Streets Maintenance Building, and the Water Plant.  They have two more sessions to go!
  • The City is hosting a Smithville High School Intern in partnership with the Real World Learning Program. We are excited to have her as part of the city team this semester!
  • SPR Sponsorship Opportunities are here! For more information visit www.smithvillemo.org/sponsor
  • Sign up for our monthly newsletter HERE
Senior Center Updates
  • Seniors held their own spirit week for Smithville homecoming. Funny hat day and retro outfit day were the favorites.
  • There were some cool items appearing from people’s closets, including an 80-year-old wedding dress and a hot pink hippie ensemble from the 70s
  • Hosted the Saving Claire Falls Prevention event on Thursday for National Falls Prevention Week
  • Worked on Clay County Senior Services 3rd quarter grant report
Project Updates
  • Church and Mill Watermain Replacement: The City’s contractor began work on September 15. The intersection of Main and Mill had to be closed so the contractor could install the new waterline at this intersection. We anticipate the intersection reopening before the end of the day September 19, weather permitting. The contractor will continue working along Mill Street toward the intersection of Church and Mill. Mill and Church Streets will remain closed to through traffic during the project; however, access will be maintained for residents and businesses. The project also includes replacement of the sewer service line at City Hall. This portion of the work is scheduled to begin in mid-October and may require intermittent lane closures on Main Street in front of City Hall. The entire project is anticipated to be completed by early November, weather permitting. 
  • Commercial Ave Sidewalk: The contractor originally awarded the Commercial Avenue Pedestrian Project informed the City they are ceasing operations and will not be able to complete the work. The City is coordinating with the bond company, and MoDOT to select a new contractor.  Additional updates will be shared as more information becomes available. The contractor’s surety rebid the project and opened bids on September 16. The City is awaiting the surety bond company’s selection of a contractor and their proposal for next steps.
  • Water Treatment Plant Improvements: New carbon and Lime feeders installed. New valves and actuators installed. Filter pipe gallery painted. Ross construction inspected the under drain on filter #1. It was determined that it needs a full replacement. We are currently waiting on pricing.
  • 144th Pump Station and West Bypass project: shoring to begin on excavation for pump station next week. Epic will begin installing force main in next couple weeks south of HWY 92
  • Sidewalk Replacement Program (Harborview): in progress. Anticipated completion: Fall 2025
  • Diamond Crest Park Parking Lot: delayed 
  • Street Maintenance Program: Awarded to Asphaltic Surfaces. Location: Commercial Avenue (From 92 HWY to Meadow St). Work has been rescheduled for Spring 2026.

Maintenance Updates  

  • Parks
    • Prepped and laid landscaping fabric at the new parking lot near city hall. Rock is ordered and will be installed once that has arrived.
    • Deep cleaned all park restrooms
    • Reset tree stabilization post and wire at Smith’s Fork Park and Wildflower Park.
    • Installed two new park cameras for security
    • Painted sports fields
    • Prepped for homecoming and special events downtown
    • Set a hole for a girl scout project this weekend
    • Cleaned up animal waste on the sidewalk near the senior center (remember to clean up after your pet!)
  • Streets
    • Street Work: Asphalt placed to finish curbs in Harbor View; curb repairs underway at Belinda Dr and NE 181st Terr.
    • Road Repairs: Site visit to Rollings Landing for sink spot assessment; prep work completed for new curbs.
    • Grounds Maintenance: Mowing completed across multiple locations; crews addressed tree limb issues after rain.
    • Equipment Maintenance: Serviced trucks and asphalt milling machine; tested asphalt roller.
    • Tree Management: Trimmed trees and inspected vegetation on the south side of town.
  • Utilities 
    • Total Drinking Water Production 7,356,000 gal
    • Treated 4,814,000 gallons of wastewater
    • Completed 15 work orders and 80 locates
    • Completed all testing required at the WTP and WWTP
    • Completed weekly taste and odor sample from the lake
    • Completed monthly disconnects
    • Added all monthly sewer chemicals
    • Ran monthly sewer at 324 East Meadow
    • Cleaned the Cub Cadet lift station