Key Decisions
- The council approved 8% salary increases for all police department employees, passing the ordinance 4-3. Councilmen Jones, Depew, and Boyer voted no. The raises will be funded by a one-time $500,000 refund from the health insurance fund, which will be exhausted in approximately one year.
- The council approved transferring funds from the Municipal Utilities Department and Parks and Recreation Department to the city health insurance fund to reduce the fund's deficit (approved unanimously).
- The council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the MoArc Regional Railroad Museum for the historic Frisco Depot restoration project (approved unanimously).
- The council authorized submission of a Community Development Block Grant application for the Frisco Depot restoration project (approved unanimously). The city will provide a 20% cash match, with the museum contributing in-kind work.
- The council approved an agreement with the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce to purchase up to $20,000 in banquet tables for the Black River Coliseum. The Chamber will pay upfront, and the city will provide six years of free facility use for the Chamber's annual banquet (valued at approximately $4,200 per year) as repayment.
- The council approved accepting a bid from M2 Outdoors of Dexter for a lawnmower for the Poplar Bluff Regional Business Airport (approved unanimously).
- The council approved destruction of antiquated records by the Municipal Utilities Department (approved unanimously).
- The council amended the 2026 fiscal year budget (approved 4-3, same vote as police raises).
Community Voices
Residents Carla Collard and Rhonda Hillis questioned the sustainability of the 8% police pay raise during public comment. Collard noted she had never heard of any organization giving an 8% raise and asked about the city's debt on the current building. Hillis asked what would happen when the one-time funds are exhausted after a year, whether raises would be reversed or officers laid off, and whether services to citizens would be cut. City Manager Lori Phelps confirmed that if the raise passed, every city department would face a 23.38% cut to their organizational budgets to sustain the increase beyond one year.
Watch This
- Councilmen Boyer and Depew committed to sponsoring a comprehensive workshop discussion to develop a long-term plan for police compensation, including longevity pay, if the immediate 8% raise creates budget problems. Boyer also supports passing an internet sales and use tax to address budget gaps.
- The city is finalizing cost estimates for the Frisco Depot restoration project and will work with the architect to determine the exact project scope. The building needs roof repairs, HVAC replacement, window repairs, and an ADA-accessible bathroom.
- Greg Smith, Coliseum Director, and City Manager Phelps will finalize which banquet tables to purchase from four options being considered and may bring the selection back to council for review.
Other Business
City Manager Lori Phelps clarified that under state statute, produce vendors who grow their own produce can sell from cars, wagons, or tents without obtaining the city's $500-per-day temporary vendor permit. The city had previously been enforcing the permit requirement incorrectly.
City Attorney Richardson clarified that Councilman Jones had no conflict of interest voting on the budget amendment for police salaries because it did not affect his spouse's department or salary. In the past, council members with city employee spouses have abstained from voting on the overall budget, but individual items that don't impact the spouse's department do not create a conflict.
The Coliseum currently has only 28-32 usable round tables out of approximately 70 total, with many held together with duct tape. The facility opened in 1999 with 80 round tables and 150 banquet tables. The new tables being purchased through the Chamber agreement will be 72-inch round tables seating eight people, with prices ranging from $229 to over $300 each. The purchase will bring the facility to approximately 100 usable round tables but will not address the banquet table shortage.
Recaps are based on the official meeting recording and may contain errors or omissions. Always refer to the full recording for authoritative information.