[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6104616,"mediaKeyId","2790419-34476fbd4cf24cc270cc2ca2e27b2725","parentId",2790419,"title","School district representative outlines April 8 ballot levy-transfer proposal during public comment","audioSeconds",147,"startMs",152000,"endMs",299000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2790419-34476fbd4cf24cc270cc2ca2e27b2725&start=152&end=299","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2790419-34476fbd4cf24cc270cc2ca2e27b2725/thumbnail_152000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6104616/Belton-City/Cass-County/Missouri/School-district-representative-outlines-April-8-ballot-levy-transfer-proposal-during-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104616-2899156a269464f88ee543ccb51aeaca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186694&Signature=f--99tTccpJQ-Tz6CbjCmv8jdAiqDa8N-3alCGY6eCt3XRJE~7QcVWyCuprVGZ7YOY1Ee1mjEPfDoIyueZsTzyzLEsGcVETPsQ5n9h0OcW0w4ZaO1LZwYaD1i9pqqyDZYseJghzH~G1i5Y3RKCRFauT2iED-uEDpXSxNDu4Kw2qHEZvVhIJ3KlEak4bNnBTFGe8yH4BSNbHvKowKUGa-qVAFu3Z-5hAKX8~LxSZ48c5r0l6tYC3hs~Hkb27cVHSQAW8A5FdcVdCnajVPS6PX5MetXPU2Dng2mhAUqKjx5xgLoFg7ODd2TKpSTUZ4LKcO3fWVkz2ffQT-iTVrdvcjXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Belton, MO","date","2025-03-26T13:15:20Z","article","A speaker identified during public comment as a school-district representative asked the City Council and the public to consider a ballot question on April 8 that would transfer 30 cents of the district’s levy from the debt-service fund to the operating fund.

The speaker said the change is a levy transfer, not a tax increase: the ballot language would increase the operating levy by 30 cents while decreasing the debt service levy by the same amount, leaving the overall levy unchanged. The representative said the district has paid down debt on buildings and buses, freeing capacity in the debt-service levy that the district seeks to move to the operating fund (fund 1) to support salary and benefits intended to retain and recruit staff. The speaker said the measure requires a 50% plus one majority for approval and noted a local advocacy group, Friends for Education, and volunteer leaders who are supporting the campaign.

The speaker left informational flyers on the meeting table and offered to provide yard signs and further information through staff contacts, including Theresa Stocking. The council did not take action on the school-district measure during the meeting; the remarks were recorded as public comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Belton City Council Meeting - March 25, 2025 - 6pm","oneSentenceSummary","A speaker during public comment explained a school district ballot measure on April 8 to transfer 30 cents from debt service to operating levy, describing it as revenue-neutral and intended to fund salaries and benefits.","taxTitle","Belton City, Cass County, Missouri","taxId",71727,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6104620,"Organizers win approvals for downtown events; council asks staff for cost estimates and insurance options",1814,333000,2147000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2790419-34476fbd4cf24cc270cc2ca2e27b2725&start=333&end=2147","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2790419-34476fbd4cf24cc270cc2ca2e27b2725/thumbnail_333000.jpg","/articles/6104620/Belton-City/Cass-County/Missouri/Organizers-win-approvals-for-downtown-events-council-asks-staff-for-cost-estimates-and-insurance-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104620-f66977b435361a85bc63072ff8636fab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186694&Signature=leIJJTyvCOw9CTqOO9djt6h-xn~AyrkCNIIxtkU7iuf2H~cf3T18PrKZbitrg7CWZzCM1ILK7hLqM5sTThVY1XQf6f6F9Dwv6IHFNUMViMnO7Nmbe2UfOBSmgFnE9KXUEVeknukbcR6CEOrn8FisM4UixwmdAC1m94sEz5CZ1KAOuQuSjz9Ww5UUI9H0fO1y0zgzLjvpiH7eaVe0MD-SImlQPx2T-cFW5kewbKGkcfKwv1u-r8bkfYs5sQwgy7foN~8w4XB3jm6xYhNtSs0c5euD3j9Oa2GyP4IzNo20g~mwW78AZ2qoQ211UOfubKyq61CeuilCdscJoVUI6I-gtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council approved multiple street-closure requests and a memorandum of understanding to support downtown events, and asked staff to quantify the city’s direct costs before future approvals or fee-policy changes.

Representatives from event organizations asked the council for routine closure approvals and, in one case, assistance with event insurance. Kurt, representing the Fraternal Order of Eagles, asked the city to consider covering the insurance for the group’s planned Main Street car cruises; he said the Eagles’ estimated incremental insurance cost for six cruise nights would be “about 5 to $6,000” and that operational on‑day costs for closures and barriers would be additional. City staff clarified that the council was only being asked that evening to approve street closures for the Eagles and that any separate request for the city to assume insurance costs would be brought back as a distinct item.

Parks staff (Vanda Meehan) presented the Carrie Nation Days closure request; Parks said the event would be the same as last year with a small stage move and a one-block closure on the 500 block for May 30–31. Connie Hubbard, treasurer of Downtown Belton Main Street Inc., requested closures for Cinco de Mayo and the Fall Festival, said DBMSI will provide insurance certificates, and noted the fall festival will be one day in September.

Council discussion focused on precedent and cost. City staff said it would not be unprecedented for the city to assume liability for a city event, but the Parks Department also noted most of these events have become part of the city’s operating budget over time. Several council members asked staff to return with a dollar estimate for the additional public-safety, public-works and administrative costs the city incurs supporting these events. Councilors also discussed the fairness of a consistent fee structure for event organizers versus council-level discretion for individual approvals; staff said they would provide options and historical cost information.

The council approved the street closures and the MOU by voice vote and instructed staff to provide cost estimates and policy recommendations for future event support and any fee schedule that might be applied.","The council approved street closures and an MOU to support downtown events but asked staff to return with estimates of the city’s costs, options for handling event insurance and possible fee structures for recurring festivals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6104624,"Council hears multi-million-dollar plan to replace aging cast‑iron mains and install AMI meters",2091,3860000,5951000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2790419-34476fbd4cf24cc270cc2ca2e27b2725&start=3860&end=5951","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2790419-34476fbd4cf24cc270cc2ca2e27b2725/thumbnail_3860000.jpg","/articles/6104624/Belton-City/Cass-County/Missouri/Council-hears-multi-million-dollar-plan-to-replace-aging-castiron-mains-and-install-AMI-meters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104624-b247c8b6535a9fb553c8aba0d04d97bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186694&Signature=ivzohOQoUAeTzuZiggmK-PmxeCYs3xj-LIogWLmVb1IAKJnn2qoZdai16SQJkod4Zz3OReoS4EKvHsX6zczm6yvQe45h8gMQnys7Lo9jKYlc8XPPRvmiUarFZGDNBj4CX2DmLpGvcYkXsq5ZKE11n1ni45TauaQH~rUvc7Y493hGu4dtF5VrOKZaDPTBFMXdq809XJNrrBHJDDmAEBPAhqeJ3PONsK2xvqA53Mxlh2HaOcHYOvxxv3M~e~5wh-GNHMi~8XmxHQqdweoLp~~9rdsoEQORAAWXpWNv4NmyKHMReF5P0MbjOlKBtEORpEhQ~axQcobiFgCmDvLk~CqiaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Belton City staff presented a multilayer plan to address aging distribution infrastructure and to modernize metering during the council meeting.

Public Works and Utilities staff described widespread cast-iron mains—many installed between the 1940s and 1960s—that are past typical service life and prone to leaks and breaks. Staff identified priority replacement zones and estimated the cost to replace cast-iron mains in the higher-priority zones (zones 4 through 18) at approximately $35 million. The city previously completed several targeted mains and has funding and projects scheduled in the FY2026 budget.

Staff also described advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) as the modern replacement for the city’s existing metering and automatic meter-reading system. The AMI proposal presented includes new meters, endpoints and remotely controlled shutoff switches. Staff presented two broad cost categories: system back-office, communications towers and program setup (approximately $733,000) and in‑pit equipment (meters, endpoints and switches) at an estimated $7.2 million; the full “Cadillac” option was summarized at roughly $8 million. The vendor’s maintenance fee was noted at $1.51 per meter per month.

Financing options discussed included Missouri Department of Natural Resources State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans. Staff presented amortization estimates indicating SRF financing could be materially cheaper than recent bond rates, with an estimated savings of about $10.7 million in interest over 20 years if SRF financing is used for the water-main program. The city’s finance staff also said the FY2026 budget and capital-improvement sales-tax receipts create near-term cash availability and that SRF repayments would not necessarily begin until project completion (staff estimated repayment to start around 2029–2030), allowing the city some timing flexibility.

Council and staff discussed operational effects of AMI, including earlier leak detection, customer alerts, reduced unbilled water losses and the convenience of remote shutoff for nonpay or safety events. Staff said battery life on metering endpoints is an important long-term maintenance consideration (batteries are sealed; full replacement requires swapping units) and that AMI vendors typically include device maintenance under their service agreements. Councilors asked whether the AMI project could reduce household bills by catching leaks earlier; staff answered yes, noting the city both purchases water and bills sewer based on measured consumption, so reducing unbilled losses affects both city cost and customer charges.

Council consensus was to direct staff to return with detailed numbers: a recommended implementation timeline, SRF financing plan, detailed cost-benefit calculations (including estimated avoided water purchases and staff-savings), and liability/maintenance terms with the vendor. Staff noted prior voter authorization for capital work and that earlier partial projects had been completed in previous fiscal years.","City utilities staff outlined a multi-year water-main replacement program estimated at $35 million (zones 4–18) and presented an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) proposal costing about $8 million, with financing options through Missouri DNR SRF loans and potential savings from reduced losses.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6104629,"Belton City Council adopts FY2026 budget, approves water/sewer rate changes and several event measures",262,958000,1220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2790419-34476fbd4cf24cc270cc2ca2e27b2725&start=958&end=1220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2790419-34476fbd4cf24cc270cc2ca2e27b2725/thumbnail_958000.jpg","/articles/6104629/Belton-City/Cass-County/Missouri/Belton-City-Council-adopts-FY2026-budget-approves-watersewer-rate-changes-and-several-event-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104629-a6c2f6f76dd97969d8f308d0d1b82da5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186694&Signature=WSAogS5PvptSH3iAei4DzkVZ65lPoRkr1ag05xSAV4sS4995D8B0xfRV8zC~KmtxwD-g-O~BwUTKQ3pajd~Lo4BTt5dAropwuSDBcuqpDzmk-j3penyCiuXyNePTaHy-CXSXHElzVMa5at-PuHqBU6r63SlHMDYcwRMDM3iFgaTEZxWJAO9TJOcqOEXn7nOB89pGVM97l0w27ZMCwzonPXJ6porm6gLVBEU14yzLsGiwActGbdvaOhxdSz0hG3IxhYtWphVseft-uMrGBuD1URSs4jz3BB2M5OQWtA0u7bvyroXem48BQ78PhYQGhQxMdIZuX3ZGEn~kKO~8a~MEFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Belton City Council on a series of motions approved the city’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, adopted changes to water and sewer user rates, authorized early redemption of a series of refunding bonds and approved contracts and multiple street-closure requests for downtown events.

The council approved the FY2026 budget (Bill 2025-12) on final reading and adopted an ordinance amending water and sewer user rates (Bill 2025-13). Council also authorized redemption of the City’s outstanding general obligation refunding bonds, series 2013, and approved a professional services agreement for a Unified Development Code update with Multi Studio.

The approvals included a mix of roll-call and voice votes. On the budget (Bill 2025-12), the roll call recorded Council member Lawson, Council member Johnson, Council member Davidson, Council member Richardson, Council member McCallum, Council member Thompson, Council member White, and Mayor Larky voting in favor; the motion carried. The rate changes (Bill 2025-13) and the mayor’s salary adjustment (Bill 2025-14) were also approved after discussion and roll-call votes. The council voted to redeem the 2013 refunding bonds early to save roughly $36,000 in interest over the remaining term; that measure passed after a double-reading and roll call.

Council approved resolutions to permit street closures for multiple recurring downtown events, including the Fraternal Order of Eagles car cruises (Resolution 2025-21), Carrie Nation Days (Resolution 2025-22) and downtown events requested by Downtown Belton Main Street Inc. (Resolution 2025-23). The council also authorized a memorandum of understanding between the city and Downtown Belton Main Street Inc. to provide event support (Resolution 2025-24).

The meeting also included consent-agenda approvals, communications from council members, and a presentation and discussion about the city’s waterline replacement program and a proposed advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project (see separate article). The council later voted to go into executive session under Missouri statute 610.021 for specified legal and real-estate topics.

Votes at a glance:
- Bill 2025-12, Ordinance adopting FY2026 budget (final reading): motion carried (roll call recorded multiple ayes; motion carries).
- Bill 2025-13, Ordinance amending water/sewer user rates: motion carried (roll call recorded ayes; motion carries).
- Bill 2025-14, Ordinance authorizing salary adjustment for the mayor effective 04/15/2025: motion carried (roll call recorded ayes and two no votes; motion passes).
- Bill 2025-15, Ordinance authorizing redemption of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2013: approved after double reading; motion carries (roll call unanimous).
- Resolution 2025-20, Professional services agreement with Multi Studio for Unified Development Code update (contract amount $100,000): approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 2025-21, Approving Fraternal Order of Eagles street closures for car cruises: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 2025-22, Approving Belton Park Department street closures for Carrie Nation Days: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 2025-23, Approving Downtown Belton Main Street Inc. closures for events in 2025: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 2025-24, Memorandum of understanding between Belton and Downtown Belton Main Street Inc. to provide event support: approved (voice vote).

The council took the actions during a regularly scheduled meeting; several items had been discussed previously at work sessions and on first reading. Where roll-call votes were recorded, the official vote language in the minutes was used to reflect the outcome; voice-vote approvals were recorded as carried when the chair called the motion carried.","At a regular meeting, the Belton City Council gave final approval to the fiscal 2026 budget, enacted changes to water and sewer user rates, authorized early redemption of Series 2013 bonds and approved contracts and street-closure resolutions for summer events.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School district representative outlines April 8 ballot levy-transfer proposal during public comment

Organizers win approvals for downtown events; council asks staff for cost estimates and insurance options

Council hears multi-million-dollar plan to replace aging cast‑iron mains and install AMI meters

Belton City Council adopts FY2026 budget, approves water/sewer rate changes and several event measures