Joplin City Council approves 2025–26 property tax levy on emergency basis

The Joplin City Council on Monday approved Council Bill 2025-530, which sets the city's property tax levy for fiscal year 2025—19'026 and affirms the levy for the Joplin Public Library.

Finance staff member Leslie Haas told the council the state auditor's consumer price index for the year is 2.9 and that staff recommended adopting the amounts calculated on the state auditor's worksheet. "The property tax of the city Of Joplin represents a very small portion of the overall property tax liability for the citizens of Joplin," Haas said during the public hearing.

Haas said the total rate will decrease by 0.0113 to 0.4092 from 0.4205 per $100 of assessed valuation. She reported property-tax revenue is expected to generate $1,342,977 for the city and $1,666,549 for the library. "The property tax for a home with an assessed valuation of $100,000 will decrease from $79.90 to $77.75," Haas said.

The council held a public hearing on the levy; no members of the public came forward to speak in favor or opposition, and council members asked no follow-up questions. Earlier in the meeting the clerk reviewed public testimony rules and cited the Joplin Municipal Code and related planning materials that guide public hearings.

During discussion the clerk read the ordinance text for Council Bill 2025-530, which includes an emergency clause. Councilmember Bard moved to approve the bill on an emergency basis; the motion was seconded and carried with eight votes in favor and one absence. The record does not name who seconded the motion.

The council also moved to excuse Councilmember Carlin earlier in the meeting; that excusal was approved before the public hearing. The meeting adjourned after the vote on the levy.