Nixa council hears first reading on special-election ordinance, approves budget amendments and three safety grants and purchases

The Nixa City Council on a regularly scheduled meeting held first reading of an ordinance calling a special election for Aug. 5, 2025, to fill the District 1 council vacancy and approved several resolutions authorizing purchases and grant applications for public safety and stormwater work.

City Attorney Nick Whitman told the council the special-election ordinance is required by the City Charter and would set Aug. 5, 2025, as the date for voters to fill the District 1 seat. "This is mandated by city charter section 3.6 that we have to have a special election when we have a vacancy on the council that's gonna last, longer than a year," Whitman said. The item was presented for first reading only; no final vote was recorded at the meeting.

The council heard a budget-amendment request from Street Superintendent Jeff Roussell to repair an eroding box culvert at 1476 North Road tied to stormwater from the Riverton Park development. Roussell said condemnation proceedings in 2024 were necessary to obtain easements needed to maintain drainage, and that the culvert "has eroded. It is to the point that a catastrophic failure could occur" and could affect the adjacent roadway. Roussell requested a $36,500 amendment to the 2025 budget to fund the repair work. When asked what "riprap rock" meant, Roussell replied, "Riprap rock is…