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 just larger limestone rock that is put in place. Oftentimes, it is grouted in place. It slows the flow ... so that it lessens erosion." The item was presented as a budget amendment request; the transcript does not show a final vote on that amendment at this meeting.

On procurement and safety items, the council approved three resolutions by voice vote. Electric Superintendent Brian Denny asked council to authorize purchase of eight automated external defibrillators (AEDs) as listed in the 2025 capital-improvement program and stated the department would buy the units through state contract CC2501881003. Denny and other staff said training and routine maintenance (notably replacement of pads and batteries) would be part of keeping the devices serviceable.

Police Chief Joe Campbell presented two public-safety items. First, he asked council to authorize application for and acceptance of Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division grant funds totaling $50,640 to support DWI and hazardous moving-violation enforcement. "For fiscal year 26–27, we are seeking $29,760 for hazardous moving violation enforcement and $20,880 for DWI enforcement," Campbell said. The council approved the resolution allowing the application and acceptance of those nonmatching grants.

Campbell also sought authority to purchase replacement ballistic helmets for the department's emergency tactical team. The resolution presented a purchase amount of $16,898.40; Campbell said the department had allocated approximately $16,494 in its replacement plan and noted helmets are reviewed roughly every five years because of service-life limits. The council approved the purchase by voice vote.

The council approved the consent agenda by roll call earlier in the meeting. No members of the public spoke during the visitor/public-comment openings, and the meeting closed with council comments thanking departments for snow-removal efforts and announcing a community indoor garage sale Saturday at the community center.

Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows the following formal outcomes at this session. Where the transcript did not record a roll-call tally, the minutes show passage by voice vote or "motion carries." All recorded votes below are drawn from the meeting transcript.

- Consent agenda — motion by Council member Charlene Graham; second by Council member Zern Vess; roll call: Charlene Graham yes; Sean Lucas yes; Aaron Peterson yes; Kelly Morris yes; Zern Vess yes. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance (Council Bill 2025-05) — first reading to call a special election on Aug. 5, 2025, to fill a District 1 vacancy. Presented by City Attorney Nick Whitman. Outcome: first reading; no final vote recorded at this meeting.

- Council Bill 2025-06 — budget amendment request to appropriate $36,500 for stormwater repairs at 1476 North Road (box culvert tied to the Riverton Park development). Presented by Jeff Roussell. Outcome: presented; no final vote recorded in transcript.

- Resolution 2025-13 — authorize purchase of eight AEDs for use in electric department vehicles (to be purchased via state contract CC2501881003). Motion and voice vote: approved.

- Resolution 2025-14 — authorize application for and acceptance of Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division grant funding totaling $50,640 ($29,760 HMV enforcement; $20,880 DWI enforcement). Motion and voice vote: approved.

- Resolution 2025-15 — authorize purchase of ballistic helmets for the police emergency tactical team (resolution lists $16,898.40; presenter referenced an allocated amount of $16,494 and noted a typical five-year review cycle). Motion and voice vote: approved.

The council did not take final action on the special-election ordinance or the stormwater budget amendment during this session; both items were presented for consideration with staff recommendations. Councilmembers used the comment period to thank public-works and other departments for snow-removal work and to note an upcoming community center event.