Mexico Council certifies April 7 election, elects mayor and pro tem; approves compensation study and city‑hall project task order

The Mexico, Missouri City Council on April 13 accepted certified results from the April 7 municipal election, administered oaths of office, elected a mayor and chairman pro tem and approved a series of resolutions to advance city projects and operations.

Council accepted the canvass from the Audrain County Clerk and then administered oaths to newly elected and re‑elected council members. The council next elected a one‑year mayoral term for Steve Haig and chose Chris Miller as chairman pro tem after nominations and roll call votes.

Why it matters: The council’s decisions set leadership for the coming year and greenlighted several staff‑recommended contracts and purchases that shape the city’s budget and capital plans, including a pathway for renovating the former cancer center into a consolidated City Hall and public safety facility.

City staff recommended and the council approved a professional compensation and benefits study with McGrath Human Resources Group for a cost not to exceed $31,500. “This study has an overall objective of keeping the city's total compensation plan market competitive,” staff said, noting the last study was completed in January 2018. During discussion, a council member urged that the consultant account for Mexico’s “blended public safety setup” — where some employees perform both police and fire duties — rather than rely solely on police‑only comparables. Staff said the consultant has advisers familiar with blended public safety systems and will include that consideration in the study.

The council also approved a package of small event and tourism grants funded by the city’s tourism tax, including $1,500 for an outdoor concert event and $1,500 for a 4K run; staff said the awards reflect tourism commission recommendations and conform to tourism tax rules.

On capital projects, the council accepted a quitclaim deed from Audrain County conveying Block 2 of Jeffreys Addition and a 60‑foot tract for a future 4th Street extension, conditioned on completing construction of the City Hall/Public Safety Facility by Dec. 31, 2031. Staff then described and won approval for Task Order 3 with Navigate Building Solutions to provide owner‑representative services through design, bidding and construction phases for renovating the former cancer center into city hall and upper‑floor police/fire spaces. Staff said the task order totals $366,000 (with design/construction/post‑construction services priced at $213,900) and that the project budget allowed $500,000 for this phase, leaving sufficient funds to cover the task order.

"Task Order 3 includes coordination of design requirements, evaluation of materials, submittals and shop drawings — essentially owner‑representative services through construction," the city manager said, describing the scope and the phased payment approach.

Public safety operations also moved forward when council approved purchase of two 2026 Ford Explorer patrol vehicles from Joe Maughens Ford for a total price of $71,646 after trade‑in, subject to delivery timing and specification compliance. Staff said the FY25‑26 budget included $90,000 for two SUVs and that the recommended bid came with acceptable trade‑in credit and closer warranty service options.

The council concurred with the mayor’s appointment of Elizabeth Brandt to the Mexico Housing Authority Board to fill a four‑year unexpired term ending June 30, 2029. Other routine claims and consent items were approved and council members used the comments period to congratulate new members and discuss privately owned properties seen by residents as eyesores.

The meeting ended with a unanimous roll call to adjourn into executive session under Missouri Revised Statutes §610.021 for legal advice.

Votes at a glance

• Accept certified April 7, 2026 election results — Passed (roll call, unanimous).

• Bill 20‑26‑15, resolution authorizing city manager to contract with McGrath Human Resources Group for a compensation study (not to exceed $31,500) — Passed (roll call).

• Bill 20‑26‑16, resolution authorizing city manager to execute agreements with organizations for recommended tourism tax funding — Passed (roll call).

• Bill 20‑26‑17, resolution to enter agreement with Presser Performing Arts Center for $10,000 programming support — Passed (roll call).

• Bill 20‑26‑18, resolution accepting quitclaim deed from Audrain County for City Hall/Public Safety Facility (construction deadline 12/31/2031) — Passed (roll call).

• Bill 20‑26‑19, resolution authorizing Task Order 3 with Navigate Building Solutions (owner‑rep services; total $366,000) — Passed (roll call).

• Purchase of two 2026 Ford Explorer patrol vehicles from Joe Maughens Ford (total $71,646 after $21,000 trade‑in) — Passed (roll call).

• Appointment of Elizabeth Brandt to Mexico Housing Authority Board (term through 06/30/2029) — Passed (roll call).

What’s next: Staff said the compensation study will inform future salary and benefit budget planning and that Navigate will proceed through design and bidding phases for the city hall/public safety renovation; the council moved into executive session on legal advice at the end of the public meeting.

Sources: City staff presentations and motions at the April 13, 2026 Mexico City Council meeting (city manager, finance/staff presentations, and clerk roll call).