Perryville board asks staff to draft ordinances on transient drop-offs, data centers, kratom sales and cash-rounding

City Administrator Brent Buerck asked the Board of Aldermen Jan. 6 to let staff draft four separate local policies and ordinances addressing transient displacement, data centers, kratom sales, and possible cash-rounding when pennies are phased out. The Board agreed by consensus on each request.

On cross-border drop-offs, Buerck cited recent reports of out-of-state transient drop-offs in Joplin and noted Perryville’s proximity to the Illinois border; he asked permission to draft an ordinance to address displacement of transient individuals. Regarding data centers, he said Festus has encountered challenges in bringing a data center to its community; although Perryville currently has no data-center plans, Buerck asked staff to prepare a draft ordinance in case such developments are proposed.

On kratom, Buerck said statewide sales are increasing at convenience stores and gas stations and that state law currently provides minimal regulation. He recommended staff draft an ordinance that could include a special business license, secure storage requirements and a minimum purchaser age of 21. The Board gave consensus to draft that ordinance as well.

Finally, Buerck noted the federal government will stop producing pennies, likely creating a future shortage, and asked whether staff should implement a cash-rounding policy for transactions; the Board asked staff to draft a rounding policy for future consideration.

All four items were directed to staff for drafting; no formal ordinances were introduced or adopted at the Jan. 6 meeting.