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Resident raises concerns about city spending, water/sewer rates and alleged disturbed headstones in Monterey Estates
Summary
During public comment at the April 1 Smithville City Council meeting, a resident, Miss Bunch, questioned recent budget increases and water/sewer rates, referenced planned Certificates of Participation financing, and alleged that five headstones were disturbed in the Monterey Estates development, citing state statute numbers.
At the April 1 Smithville City Council meeting, a resident identified as Miss Bunch used the three-minute public-comment period to raise concerns about budget amendments, utility rate differences with nearby municipalities, proposed debt issuance and alleged disturbance of burial plots in a local neighborhood.
Miss Bunch, who gave her address as 402 Fourth Terrace, questioned why the city was increasing general-fund spending and noted concern about a $7,500,000 COP (certificate of participation) referenced by citizens. She compared local water and sewer charges to rates in Kearney, saying Kearney’s 2025 water increase was 5 percent while Smithville’s was 15 percent; she provided monthly comparative figures she said were current: Kearney 3/4-inch water meter $5, Smithville 3/4-inch water meter $16.91; Kearney 3/4-inch monthly sewer $5, Smithville monthly sewer $24.37. She said many citizens are concerned about rising prices.
Miss Bunch also asserted the city’s conditional use permit process should be triggered and public hearings held after she said five headstones were disturbed in Monterey Estates. She cited Missouri statutes during her comments, naming “RSMO 214.205 and RSMO 2114.209” and referring to a class A misdemeanor citation during her remarks. She urged transparency and compliance with preservation statutes.
The council did not take any formal action on the points raised during public comment at that meeting; no staff response or council directive was recorded in the transcript during the public-comment period.
Why it matters: residents raising concerns about utility rates and potential disturbance of burial plots can lead to follow-up by planning, code enforcement or legal staff. Miss Bunch’s remarks flagged potential statutory issues and asked the council to ensure transparency and compliance.
Ending: The meeting proceeded to adjourn after the public-comment period; the transcript records no immediate follow-up votes or staff directions in response to Miss Bunch’s comments.
