Republic City Council approves school queuing road agreement, annexation and street‑lighting contract; hears proposed 2026 budget and fee changes

The Republic City Council voted 6‑0 to approve an intergovernmental agreement with the Republic R‑3 School District for construction of a school queuing road related to J.R. Martin Park improvements, adopted an annexation ordinance for about 9.66 acres at 4314 South Farm Road 107 and approved a municipal electric service agreement for city street lights.

The actions were among several votes and first readings the council handled at the meeting, where Chief Financial Officer Bob Ford presented the proposed fiscal 2026 budget and staff described changes to the city fee schedule and the employee handbook. The council also authorized a design contract negotiation for an intersection improvement and voted to go into closed session for personnel matters under Missouri statute.

Council approved the intergovernmental cooperative agreement with Republic R‑3 School District (Bill 25‑30) on final passage by voice/roll call, 6‑0. Laura Burbridge, city clerk, read the ordinance by title before council took the final vote. Mayor Franklin announced the motion carried "6 to 0." The agreement covers construction of a school queuing road associated with J.R. Martin Park improvements; the ordinance title appeared in the meeting packet and was read into the record.

Also on the consent/ordinance calendar, the council approved a municipal electric service agreement (Bill 25‑31) with Empire District Electric Company to provide electric service and equipment for city street lights and adopted an annexation ordinance (Bill 25‑32) for approximately 9.66 acres at 4314 South Farm Road 107 and adjacent right of way. Both measures passed on final action, 6‑0.

Bob Ford presented the proposed fiscal 2026 budget during the meeting's workshop portion and summarized key figures. "This is a budget that provides for an operating surplus of $6,400,000," Ford said. He told council the budget shows operating revenues of about $40.6 million…