Neosho outlines multi‑year capital priorities as SHPO review delays trail work

City staff reviewed a draft capital program at a Neosho City Council work session, laying out maintenance and new‑construction priorities for the coming fiscal year and flagging projects awaiting outside approvals. The agenda covered parks and trails, public works equipment, water and wastewater system upgrades, and routine building renovations.

The presentation said a planned bicycle‑trail alignment was revised to avoid a cave but remains on hold after the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) review has stretched to about 12 months, leaving the trail project at a standstill pending state clearance. The same agency review is affecting work on the Schaefer Building, staff said.

Staff listed several park investments: $30,000 budgeted for additional ball‑field lighting after two fields were improved this year, new hanging holiday lights for the boulevard, and a $225,000 line item identified for new sidewalk and ADA improvements (including a consolidated pavilion and restrooms at Scenic Park to replace two older structures). A deteriorating rock retaining wall at Big Spring Park was described as a safety hazard that will require contractor stabilization work.

Utilities and system needs also featured prominently. Water‑system line replacement tied to the 20‑year plan was estimated at roughly $1.2 million for the next year; wastewater staff identified lift‑station engineering and rebuild work (Buffalo/Lime Kiln) as an approximately $1 million project that also includes closing an open manhole on Malcolm Mosby to keep rainwater from entering the sewer system. Staff also noted a $75,000 influent pump replacement and planned RAS pump rebuilds. In wastewater services the city said it has an unresolved billing dispute with a vendor (a historical 'busy sewer' amount) that has been challenged and drew no recent vendor contact.

Other capital items listed included vehicle and equipment replacements — parks requested a half‑ton crew cab to replace a 1998 utility truck with a power washer, the street department requested a heavier trailer and a snowbox for a skid steer, and water crews requested an additional hydraulic power pack to reduce reliance on gas‑powered pumps. For the golf course, staff said a quote to replace irrigation lines and heads for all 18 holes was roughly $600,000 and recommended phasing work (nine holes per year) and budgeting 50% of the project this fiscal year.

Budget assumptions in the draft include a placeholder for property‑assessment figures not yet received, a built‑in 3% insurance assumption (staff warned the actual rate could be higher), routine merit/step raises and a proposed 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees; the fire‑department salary schedule was adjusted to remain competitive locally.

Staff said next steps include pursuing any available grants (an energy grant is under review for filtration‑plant and municipal building window work), finalizing property assessments and insurance figures, and bringing engineering agreements or project bids back to council for approval.

The work session ended with council thanking staff; no formal votes or motions were recorded during the session.