Bob Foos
City officials reviewed the successes of 2025 and looked ahead to 2026 during the annual State of the City Luncheon Thursday at Granny Shaffer’s that was sponsored by the Webb City Area Chamber of Commerce.
While new development is most visible on East Street, City Administrator Carl Francis called attention to the number of new houses that have been built on vacant lots, especially in the old section of the city on both sides of Main Street.
He noted that the city has paved the way for that “crazy growth” with sewer and water improvements – and funding for demolitions to clear lots of dilapidated housing.
“We’ve been going after areas that need to be demolished,” Frances said.
Mayor Lynn Ragsdale talked about the city staff’s attitude of wanting businesses to succeed and working to remove roadblocks.
Frances also mentioned the positive effect that the Cardinal Stop, the new brightly-lit convenience store that anchors the north side of downtown, is having on that end of town. It appears the chicken restaurant that’s being added onto the Cardinal Stop will be open at any time now.
Across the street from the Cardinal Stop is Cardinal Towers, the 45-year-old low-income housing complex, which is set to renovate all of its 60 units beginning in 2026.
On East Street, the big project has been construction of a $650,000 sidewalk, to which MoDOT contributed $400,000.
Frances hinted at a new business on East Street that he wasn’t at liberty to announce yet. It will be between Flat Creek and Simple Simon Pizza, which broke ground during the latter part of 2025.
Ragsdale was quick to qualify that the new business Frances was referring to is not a grocery store – although they would like it to be one. A grocery store chain claimed that location but later decided to return it to the city.
To allow for continued growth and independence of the water system, Frances foresees the need for an additional large water tower. In the meantime, he said the staff is determined to solve the problem that has kept the small water tower on South Hall Street from being useful.
He also predicted that residents in Webb City, Carterville and Oronogo will be asked to approve necessary improvements to the Center Creek 201 Wastewater Treatment Plant, which they share.
Fire Chief Andrew Roughton reported that the decision to allow open firefighter positions be filled by part-time firefighters – especially former WCFD firefighters – has been a success.
Completion of the firefighting training facility was used as an example of how the city saves money by using its own staff instead of hiring contractors.
Deputy Fire Chief Jeremy Denton talked about 100% of the department’s first fire academy class passing certification.
The second class is about to begin under a new name, the SMART Academy. SMART stands for Southwest Metro Academy for Readiness and Training.
Police Chief Don Melton highlighted his department’s acquisition of professional drone to enhance investigations and incident response, along with training of officers to operate it.
Of course, 2025 saw the opening of The W Club athletic facility in King Jack Park.
Kong Lee, recreation center director, reported that he’s already booked 100 reservations of the facility and “people want more.” So far, he said 2,500 people have registered to use the facility.
Bryan Waggoner, director of parks and recreation, noted the city’s acceptance and renovation of the Westhaven Park on West Broadway.
He said he sees the new dog park in King Jack Park being used “every single day.”