[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6198599,"mediaKeyId","3844979-3d012a7124eed78be6b983a9c1620cec","parentId",3844979,"title","City Council adopts resolution supporting Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center","audioSeconds",226,"startMs",849000,"endMs",1075000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3844979-3d012a7124eed78be6b983a9c1620cec&start=849&end=1075","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3844979-3d012a7124eed78be6b983a9c1620cec/thumbnail_849000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6198599/Excelsior-Springs/Clay-County/Missouri/City-Council-adopts-resolution-supporting-Excelsior-Springs-Job-Corps-Center","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198599-7520b9eb13689429a4dce49e85b77739/orig.mp4?Expires=1771018510&Signature=Y-~uolzPz8oxFoto02uuzDtsNhMCoG9krb8Tif7Xj~P4RgAAMVghQVj-ggm613GMcFOtr8IplzY71Ulga5tDznUWs~n0S9P0b5yuyIoquUntxOn1SQQmu80878MeQBAPM4br9Z6r2fJ8NiESC5YsbHifB2BSfyrmaakoWlDTTdvhx~vgH3NYc1LVWtF31FNfdqBg7vJvnF5Z1zZiUh1gqJkO-BvX4K2LnW6TcywIK7k5F4c4x3eUvIrnG7lphGnBsEDiEdhgDARttBuPalMY~NFF-APScQmVKRRMPZcH85cHJbB2A~xxd6iEL4OZQmBFNyq7QON7PO2~qtz-47u5vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Excelsior Springs, MO","date","2025-06-17T12:44:13Z","article","At its June 16 meeting, the Excelsior Springs City Council adopted Resolution 15‑84, formally expressing the city’s support for continued federal funding and operation of the Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center.

Mayor Spahn read the resolution on the council floor and described the center’s local role, saying the Job Corps program “has been instrumental in fostering a skilled workforce that contributes significantly to the local economy and community development.” He also said the city would forward copies of the resolution to the governor and the Missouri congressional delegation.

The resolution was requested to the council by Jamie Simmons, who is the lead carpentry instructor at the Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center, according to Molly McGovern, the city manager. In presenting the resolution, the council noted the center’s role in career and technical education and in serving underserved and economically disadvantaged youth.

A motion to approve Resolution 15‑84 was made and seconded on the record; the council then conducted a roll call vote. Council members recorded their votes in the roll call as follows: Councilman Rennie — yes; Councilman McGovern — yes; Councilman Speer — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Saint John — yes; Mayor Spahn — yes. The mayor announced that Resolution 15‑84 was adopted. The adopted resolution directs city staff to transmit copies to the governor, the Missouri state legislature and members of the Missouri congressional delegation.

The action is a formal expression of municipal support; it does not itself allocate funding or create local obligations for the Job Corps program.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Excelsior Springs City Council Meeting June 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Excelsior Springs City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 15‑84 on June 16 to express support for continued federal funding and operation of the local Job Corps Center; the council said it will transmit the resolution to Missouri’s governor and congressional delegation.","taxTitle","Excelsior Springs, Clay County, Missouri","taxId",60665,"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},6198604,"Parks and Recreation highlights new programs and seeks $500,000 grant for Boundless Backyard expansion",1009,1201000,2210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3844979-3d012a7124eed78be6b983a9c1620cec&start=1201&end=2210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3844979-3d012a7124eed78be6b983a9c1620cec/thumbnail_1201000.jpg","/articles/6198604/Excelsior-Springs/Clay-County/Missouri/Parks-and-Recreation-highlights-new-programs-and-seeks-500000-grant-for-Boundless-Backyard-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198604-82241657af9489cae151437baff14aa3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771018510&Signature=E9tjcob1qsemje3ZAiMFUdWpRlB8Y-m90PkUyy~jNY1vejtZmiyXx2M5Urav5yIZjKcEprVTrCrMyBo6EqigL69Yvyxqz-Rw63d86nB9aANeldvJeoblWwDpijQoXUwv0G-9vEi28q1Ehe-Q87aYkHCogzvYiNH6RgbuB01f0uRJqWVpJREeWYV7zu1PusoPupiFou35xDTTCI3-jBAVa38rB7lSqvqfOEssLtNowjfzH9YrgtWGBjKH1G85tZ6jX0N21ysxj2LGM8wqQWLrK6l4zNz6dbukvaMunEuja3b9H5gXJ2yO5Wq0WI-ia2ExejgAaeII1eWCC12qjregQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nate Williams, presenting the 2024 combined Parks, Recreation and Community Center annual report to the City Council on June 16, said the department consolidated services to reduce public confusion, expanded programming and continues developing the Boundless Backyard park off Milwaukee Street.

Williams told the council the department manages about 118 acres of parkland, offers youth sports from toddlers through eighth grade, fitness classes (roughly 70 per week), senior programming that served more than 13,000 meal contacts in 2024, and an aquatics program that completed its first full outdoor season since reopening.

The department reported program counts and facility usage: about 796 youth sports registrations, nearly 971 participants in other programs and strong facility reservations at the community center. Williams emphasized partnerships with the school district — including second‑grade swim lessons that provide four one‑hour visits per school for students — and with local volunteers and donors who helped refurbish playground equipment for new parks.

On capital work, Williams summarized progress at Boundless Backyard: an eighth‑mile walking trail and stormwater detention were completed in 2024; parking, restrooms and the picnic shelter foundation were in place by mid‑2025. He said the city applied in November 2024 for a $500,000 matching grant from a Water Conservation Fund; the department expects an award decision between now and September 2026. Williams said the grant is phase‑sensitive: if not awarded the department would phase playground construction to match available local funding and open the park with the completed trail and basic amenities in the meantime.

Williams described accessibility goals for future playground work — moving beyond mulch-based surfacing toward all‑abilities surfaces and providing shade structures — and said the Boundless Backyard playground footprint will be about 120 by 120 feet for phase two. He told the council that many phase‑one elements (parking, restrooms, trail, shelter concrete) were funded and completed without the matching grant, and that program staff will phase remaining playground features if the grant is not received.

The report also highlighted special events (Veil Fest, MessyMania), partnerships that provide student labor for seasonal tasks (dome assembly/disassembly at the outdoor pool), and continued growth in community center fitness and performance programs.

Council members asked whether the department had a contingency if the matching grant is denied; Williams said the city would proceed with a phased‑build approach using the already committed local match and add features as funding allows.

The council received the report as an informational presentation; no formal vote was required.","Parks and Recreation presenter Nate Williams gave the combined Parks, Recreation and Community Center annual report on June 16, outlining program growth, a multi‑phase Boundless Backyard park project and a pending $500,000 matching grant request that would fund phase two of a playground and amenities.",{"_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},6198609,"Excelsior Springs Hospital reports quality gains but warns of ongoing financial challenges",2088,2612000,4700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3844979-3d012a7124eed78be6b983a9c1620cec&start=2612&end=4700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3844979-3d012a7124eed78be6b983a9c1620cec/thumbnail_2612000.jpg","/articles/6198609/Excelsior-Springs/Clay-County/Missouri/Excelsior-Springs-Hospital-reports-quality-gains-but-warns-of-ongoing-financial-challenges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198609-dd48c209f08569929adc782d8ad979ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771018511&Signature=f5QmHqSC5O7-fAnB0Jt3dTv6yHzGV5bnACNNrBYqfTdH~3mK99el2huylXIT-Cy4pD8QVliCYN1ZsAKC1HYZqT5EcuMSNOAJMzO3u9adllza-XwKJHhjAeujXF3t0pt3ag4byQ5fSS2HkN2YqW8-gCJewUPGH305CTtGnepOJ0P2dtrp8ZjzdEk-4Eu1RTuEE0nc9E~mwBBf0UwMB1CRdCMcmtaQZDaqflP7KjEIBrl400eJ1ct91dOcB26hbjWzfHJdFgAKRL-ifQ2Fc3t3S742~0BFhCVcXi3TzCteNL1fm4MGYcJ2wGrWOVk2Zit5KCpM8mUO~cAz-ujZiMwCeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kristen DeHart, chief executive officer of Excelsior Springs Hospital, told the City Council on June 16 that the hospital maintained strong clinical performance in 2024 even as it worked through financial and billing-system challenges.

DeHart said the hospital recorded “0 hospital acquired infections reported in 2024” and that its emergency-to-transfer time for stroke, trauma and sepsis cases “is consistently under 50 minutes,” adding that door-to-provider time in the emergency department averages about 10 minutes. She also said the hospital’s outpatient clinics grew from about 9,200 visits in the prior year to more than 11,000, and pharmacy doses rose from about 78,000 to 106,000 year over year.

The report matters because the hospital is a critical access provider for northern Clay County; DeHart told the council that access to care, behavioral health and chronic disease remain the community’s top needs and that the hospital’s behavioral health program is expanding to serve children aged 5–19 with funding support from Clay County.

On finances, DeHart described large swings tied to a recent conversion to a new electronic medical record and financial system and to denials and clearing-house issues that slowed collections. She said the audited fiscal-year statement for 2024 remains in draft form while accounting teams reconcile which items belong above or below the operating line. The slide deck the CEO presented showed total patient gross revenues near $125 million and consolidated revenues of about $130 million; DeHart said contractual allowances and accounting work continue to affect the bottom line.

DeHart described several short- and medium-term steps the hospital is using to stabilize cash flow: a line-of-credit draw program from Optum Financial (she said the council-approved draws have been used as short-term operating capital), negotiated vendor payment plans, and outside firms working on denials and collections. “We are in a great place that we actually have receivables,” she told the council, but added that mapping and cleaning old-to-new system bridges — for example patient identifiers that are not coming across correctly — has required manual rework and slowed payments.

The presentation also reviewed operational and workforce developments: the hospital hired new specialty coverage (a Liberty General Surgery team providing clinic and operating-room days), added locum coverage from an experienced emergency physician, and introduced a child and adolescent psychologist. DeHart said the hospital received $1,550,000 from the Clay County Children’s Services Fund for pediatric psychiatric services and noted two recent grants: a $75,000 HRET award for an infection-prevention project and a $25,000 patient-safety grant for a badge-activated call system.

DeHart also announced service changes: the hospital closed its home health and hospice lines because reimbursements did not cover costs; staff and most patients were transitioned to other agencies. She said primary-care staff departures and temporary clinic closures are planned in the near term (physician Robert Bizard and nurse practitioner Tish Davis planned departures were noted) and that the express clinic will be closed for a deep clean and limited renovation while the hospital completes credentialing for replacements.

Council members asked for more detail on projected financial impacts from the home health/hospice closure and on the Optum financing; DeHart said she would provide follow-up materials to the council. She emphasized that survey readiness, quality tracking and community partnerships remain top priorities as the hospital works to stabilize finances.

DeHart closed by stressing the hospital’s mission and community role: “we are a hundred and 21 years strong this year as Excelsior Springs Hospital,” she said, and urged continued local support.

The City Council did not take formal action on the hospital presentation; the session was a standing presentation and discussion.

Looking ahead, DeHart said the hospital expects its audited financial statements and continued progress on clearing-house and claims issues to clarify the 2024 results and to improve cash flow in the coming months.","At the June 16 City Council meeting, Excelsior Springs Hospital CEO Kristen DeHart presented the hospital’s 2024 annual report, highlighting clinical quality metrics and new service partnerships while describing continuing financial pressures tied to billing-system conversion, denied claims and thin rural margins.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City Council adopts resolution supporting Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center

Parks and Recreation highlights new programs and seeks $500,000 grant for Boundless Backyard expansion

Excelsior Springs Hospital reports quality gains but warns of ongoing financial challenges