Mexico, Mo., council approves elections calendar, infrastructure change orders and multiple equipment purchases

The Mexico, Missouri City Council on Nov. 10 approved a package of ordinances, resolutions and purchases covering election scheduling, public-works projects and city equipment.

An ordinance (Bill 20-25-574) setting the 2026 municipal election schedule passed after council readings. “The filing period will be from Tuesday, 12/09/2025 through Tuesday, 12/30/2025,” said Mr. Slagle during the discussion, and staff confirmed the election date as Tuesday, 04/07/2026.

Council approved a resolution (Bill 20-25-575) authorizing the city manager to enter an agreement with the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce for marketing support. Staff said the city has budgeted $13,000 for the 2025–26 year for that agreement and recommended passage. “The city would like to contribute or has budgeted to contribute a sum of $13,000 for use in the cost of marketing activities,” staff stated during the presentation.

On infrastructure items, the council authorized staff to accept temporary construction easements for the North Calhoun stormwater improvement project (Bill 20-25-576). Staff explained two remaining easements are needed and that the project will follow the usual order-of-operations, including title certification and submission to DNR for processing.

The council also approved a contract authorization for updated aerial imagery (Bill 20-25-577) using a state cooperative purchasing contract, with staff citing last city imagery from 2019 and a recommended contract price of about $17,500 (the FY budget amount is $18,000).

A change order for the North Kentucky Street stormwater project (Bill 20-25-578) was approved to cover new drainage structures and additional street removal to allow slip-form paving. Staff described two components: approximately 10 drainage structures (~$33,143.50) and additional roadway removal for improved curb-and-gutter and paving (~$47,491), for a total change-order cost of $80,634.50. Staff said the cost was approved by DNR under the grant’s eligible reimbursements.

The council approved several equipment and operational purchases recommended by staff: a 2025 John Deere cabbed tractor (net price $47,000 after trade), a Timco 435 regenerative-air street sweeper (recommended price $220,770 through MoDOT cooperative purchasing), and a heavy-duty parts/parks truck recommended at $156,875. Council also approved purchase of three cellular lift‑station alarm units ($16,678.75 total, with a recurring annual per‑unit data fee) and a parts order to upgrade the wastewater plant’s ultraviolet disinfection system ($14,046.86).

Staff emphasized vetting and budget authority for these items: the sweeper purchase reflected demonstrations and reference checks and fits the FY budget allocation; the lift‑station alarms complete monitoring of the city’s 12 lift stations; and the UV parts purchase is year 2 of a multi‑year upgrade tied to permit requirements.

Council approved routine repair work on the Mexico Industrial Rail Spur (track ties, switch-tire replacements and alignment work) with an estimated cost of $30,173.43 and authorized a Konica Minolta copier purchase for administrative use ($7,257 plus an annual maintenance agreement).

Votes at a glance: all items presented in the meeting packet were moved, seconded and approved by voice/roll-call vote as recorded during the meeting.

What happens next: several items will be executed administratively (contracts signed by the city manager or mayor as authorized), and staff said a budget amendment will be brought back to council to account for timing and funding adjustments related to the abatement and grant reimbursements.

Note on wording and sources: direct quotes and amounts above come from staff presentations during the Nov. 10 council meeting; the council’s actions and the contract/award amounts reflect motions and roll-call confirmations in the meeting record.