Council keeps Missouri Soccer Park agreement, adds school district right of first refusal

The Boonville City Council on Jan. 6 approved on second reading a joint ownership, maintenance and management agreement for Missouri Soccer Park with the Boonville R‑1 School District and Boonville Soccer Academy.

City staff explained the newest draft adds language requested by the school district granting it a first right of refusal should the city later seek to sell the property. "City shall provide [the] district written notice of its intent and the district must exercise or reject its 1st right of refusal by written notice to city not less than 90 days after receipt," city staff said, reading the amendment into the record.

Council members questioned who performs maintenance and how revenues are handled. City administrator said the city reimburses the Boonville Soccer Academy for maintenance work and that the academy also handles field rentals. "Last year, it brought in around $40,000 in rental income," the city administrator said, noting that those receipts go into a separate account earmarked for field replacement rather than general funds.

Supporters framed the agreement as a low‑cost revenue opportunity for the city because the five‑year lease term (with an option to extend another five years) transfers day‑to‑day work to the academy while preserving city income from rentals. Staff noted reimbursements are intended to cover actual maintenance costs rather than produce additional operating expense for parks staff.

The ordinance passed after council motion and roll call. The agreement now includes the 90‑day written notice requirement for the school district's right of first refusal and continues the reimbursement arrangement for maintenance.

The council did not identify any immediate plan to sell the property; staff said the right of first refusal is a safeguard requested by the school district.