Bob Foos
The Webb City Council completed passage of an ordinance rezoning a large metal-front building at 220 N. Madison St., but the request for a special use permit was withdrawn.
Duane Melugin, of DRM Industries, thought he had sold the 22,500-square-foot building, including three apartments, to become a flea market. But his real estate agent informed the city council on Monday that the buyer has backed out.
The building is still for sale, but Melugin was advised to let the new buyer apply for the special use permit.
The ordinance that was passed changes the zoning from industrial to multi-family residential. A special use permit will be required if there’s a commercial use for the portion of the building that isn’t dedicated to apartments.
The council approved second (final) reading of the 2026-27 fiscal-year budget, which will take effect Nov. 1.
The most noteworthy thing about the city’s finances going forward is that while the general 1-cent sales tax is underachieving, compared to the previous year, the use tax is overachieving.
The 1-cent sales-tax revenue brought in $2,582,515, which is $20,459 less than last year.
The use tax brought in $1,121,794, which is $251,021 more than last year.
So the total general tax levy revenue (adding sales and use tax receipts) for the current year is $230,562 more than last year.
City staff preparing the budget have kept major purchases to a minimum.
If revenue comes in as expected, the ballfield lights will be replaced, and a dump truck will be replaced. The budget includes the typical $500,000 for street paving.
The city is obligated next year to make its final $100,000 payment for the Zora Street widening project. That next payment will be for the widening of Zora Street between Range Line Road and Hall Street. Two previous $100,000 payments have been for the project between Hall Street and the bypass.
Employee merit increases of 2.5% are in the budget, and in the spring, the council will decide if there’s enough money available for employees to receive a 2% cost-of-living adjustment.
You can view or download the entire budget on the Sentinel’s Public Notices page. General revenue is on the front page, and the ending balances are on the last page.
The council also:
• Allowed the wastewater department to repair the Chickadee Lift Station in the Robin Ridge subdivision by purchasing two grinding pumps and a new pump control panel from Joplin Supply Co. The total cost of $9,853 was included in the current budget.
• Approved second reading of a council bill to rezone 214 E. Broadway from industrial to commercial.
• Approved second reading of a bill to rezone a pie-shaped tract at 1206 Fountain Road from single-family residential to multi-family residential for construction of an apartment complex. Other complexes are in that area north of Mount Hope Cemetery.
