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Board approves year‑end budget adjustments and greenlights $200,000 match for Alexander Park playground project
Summary
A series of budget amendments and capital rollovers for 2025 and 2026 were approved; the board accepted a community foundation’s proposed inclusive playground donation for Alexander Park and agreed to contribute $200,000 toward infrastructure and site work. The board also approved a code amendment allowing interim appointments to the Board of Appeals (4–2).
Finance staff presented year‑end 2025 budget amendments (debt service and convention center fund adjustments) and a set of capital rollovers to 2026. The board approved the resolutions to amend the 2025 budget and the first readings of related 2026 budget ordinances.
Parks staff described an unsolicited, sizable inclusive playground donation from the Community Foundation of Taney County and the estate of Bob Alexander. The foundation indicated a playground gift in the range of roughly $600,000–$800,000 to be installed at Alexander Park. Parks Director Cindy described infrastructure needs — a repaved parking lot, ADA parking and sidewalks, bathroom rehabilitation and signage — and requested a city contribution of $200,000 to match site work and ensure the project’s usability. The board voted to include the requested $200,000 as part of the capital rollovers and approved the related resolutions.
Earlier in the meeting the board also considered bill 66‑60, an amendment to the municipal code to allow the city administrator to appoint an interim member to the Board of Appeals when vacancies would prevent timely hearings. Aldermen debated optics and preserving the open application process; the ordinance passed on roll call 4–2 (Schulz and Lucas opposed).
The meeting concluded with aldermanic reports and a motion to enter a closed executive session for personnel and negotiated contracts, which passed 6–0.
