Carthage Council approves tourism and sidewalk grants, hears economic development update; discusses code enforcement and utility rates

The Carthage City Council on Tuesday approved a contract to support the Boots Court visitor center, accepted emergency contracts for Memorial Hall curtains and advanced a community revitalization grant to rebuild downtown sidewalks, while hearing a quarterly economic-development briefing and extended discussion of code enforcement and upcoming utility rate changes.

Jeff Meredith, with the Carthage Economic Development Corporation, opened the substantive portion of the meeting with a quarterly update on housing, childcare and business recruitment. "The housing study is available at choosecarthage.com/housing," Meredith said, and he told council the study estimates the city needs "approximately 326 homes in 5 years." He described childcare as a local shortage that reduces annual economic output: "Carthage loses $2,160,000 on an annual basis from economic output because we do not have sufficient childcare," Meredith said, and presented data showing Jasper County is a childcare desert with roughly a 3:1 demand-to-supply ratio.

Why it matters: Council members said the sidewalk grant and other investments are intended both to support downtown economic activity and to remove barriers that hinder recruiting businesses and housing. Several council committees also spent substantial time on how city code enforcement is carried out and on the fiscal implications of planned infrastructure projects.

Major votes and formal actions

- Boots Court visitor center contract (council bill 25-30). The council adopted an ordinance authorizing a contract with the Boots Court Foundation/Carthage Visitor Center for $36,000 annually beginning July 1, 2025, to provide tourism and marketing services. The measure passed on second reading. (Motion/second not specified in the transcript; outcome recorded as adopted.)

- Memorial Hall curtains (council bill 25-38). Council adopted an emergency ordinance authorizing a contract with A to Z Theatrical Supply and Services for replacement and installation of backstage curtains at Memorial Hall for $35,050. The item was advanced as an emergency because the quoted price was set to increase. (Adopted.)

- Downtown sidewalk revitalization grant (council bill 25-39). Council approved proceeding with acceptance of a Missouri Department of Economic Development Community Revitalization grant for the downtown sidewalk extension project. The grant is an 80/20 cost-share; the 80% portion was described in committee as "locked in at $750,000." Council voted to advance the measure to second reading and later adopted it. (Motion/second not specified.)

- Airport Drive and Fairview sidewalk contract (council bill 25-40). The public-works committee recommended and council moved forward a contract award to ATS Contractors LLC for…