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Citizen Portal News Missouri
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St. Louis Water Director Neeraj Patel warns that the division's reserves could run dry this year, highlighting urgent infrastructure needs and rising costs that threaten reliable water service.

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#LouisCityLouisCounty #MO #PublicInfrastructure #StLouisWater #CitizenPortal
St. Louis water director: reserves could be exhausted this year; 63 mains and pump replacements prioritized
Water Director Neeraj Patel told the Public Infrastructure & Utilities Committee the division projects its contingent fund could be depleted by year-end, with 63 high-priority main projects (~$28M) and two pump replacements (~$10.4M) identified, and he said a rate sufficiency study is underway.
citizenportal.ai
January 15, 2026 at 9:43 AM
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St. Louis City is gearing up for a crucial two-year assessment maintenance plan, addressing tornado damage and the impact of senior tax freeze demands on staffing.

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#LouisCityLouisCounty #MO #SeniorSupport #TaxAssessment #StLouisCity #CitizenPortal #DisasterRecovery
Committee advances St. Louis City assessment maintenance plan, citing tornado reassessments and senior tax workload
The St. Louis City Budget Committee adopted a committee substitute for Resolution 194 — the two-year assessment maintenance plan — and gave it a due-pass recommendation after Assessor Shawn Ordway described required reassessments following tornado damage and staff impacts from the senior tax freeze.
citizenportal.ai
January 15, 2026 at 9:21 AM
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The Housing Committee has greenlit a groundbreaking $1M sales-tax incentive to help CI Select transform the historic Carriage Works into a thriving hub, potentially bringing 40 new jobs to St. Louis.

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#LouisCityLouisCounty #MO #EconomicDevelopment #JobCreation
Committee approves up to $1M sales‑tax reimbursement to help CI Select move into Carriage Works in Cortex
Board Bill 120 passed out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation to allow diversion of half the city's sales tax generated by CI Select into a comptroller‑controlled reimbursement account that will pay buildout costs up to $1,000,000; SLDC counsel said reimbursements are administratively reviewed with a 30‑day window.
citizenportal.ai
January 15, 2026 at 9:15 AM
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The HUD committee just greenlighted a major incentive to bring CI Select to the historic Carriage Works building, potentially revitalizing the Cortex district with new jobs and investment!

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#LouisCityLouisCounty #MO #EconomicDevelopment #UrbanRenewal #JobCreation #StLouisCity
Committee approves sales-tax reimbursement to help CI Select rehab Carriage Works; bill includes clawback and 30-day review
Board bill 120, a sales-tax reimbursement incentive to help CI Select move into the historic Carriage Works building, passed the committee with a due-pass recommendation; the plan diverts half of the city’s share of sales tax into a reimbursable account up to $1 million and includes job-based clawbacks and a 30-day administrative review for reimbursements.
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January 15, 2026 at 9:10 AM
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St. Louis City is set to expand the Community Improvement District on Washington Avenue, adding new parcels and a $500,000 development project—what could this mean for the neighborhood's future?

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#LouisCityLouisCounty #MO #EconomicDevelopment #StLouisCommunity
Committee advances expansion and four-year extension of 1100 Washington Avenue CID
The HUD committee voted to send board bill 107 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation to expand the 1100 Washington Avenue Community Improvement District (CID), add eight parcels, add a roughly $500,000 neighborhood economic-development project and extend the district’s term from 2049 to 2053.
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January 15, 2026 at 9:02 AM
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Aldermen are pushing forward a bold plan to expand the 1100 Washington Avenue Community Improvement District, injecting $500,000 into marketing and community events while extending its reach until 2053!

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#LouisCityLouisCounty #MO #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityImprovement
Aldermen advance expansion of 1100 Washington Avenue CID to fund marketing and activation
The committee advanced Board Bill 107 to expand the 1100 Washington Avenue Community Improvement District by eight parcels, add a $500,000 multi‑year economic development project and extend the district term from 2049 to 2053; proponents said funds will pay marketing and small events, not building improvements.
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January 15, 2026 at 8:53 AM
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A bold new mixed-use development is on the horizon in Belton, featuring 150,000 sq ft of commercial space and nearly 600 multifamily units!

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#BeltonCityCassCounty #MO #CommunityPlanning #BeltonCityDevelopment #MixedUseDevelopment #PublicEngagement #CitizenPortal
Developer proposes 40-acre mixed-use PUD on Hales property; neighborhood meeting set
A developer seeks rezoning of 40 acres at 163rd Street and Gibbon Street to a C-2 PUD for mixed-use development including about 150,000 sq ft of commercial space and roughly 592 multifamily units; a neighborhood meeting and planning commission hearing were scheduled.
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January 15, 2026 at 4:28 AM
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Belton City Council just approved a $15,000 reimbursement for Heart in Hand, solidifying their partnership to combat homelessness and enhance community support!

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#BeltonCityCassCounty #MO #HomelessnessSupport #PublicSafety #BeltonCity #CitizenPortal #CommunityAccountability
Belton council approves $15,000 reimbursement and MOUs to formalize Heart in Hand partnership
Belton City Council approved a $15,000 reimbursement program for Heart in Hand to cover warming-shelter operating costs and formalized two memoranda of understanding, including one between the police department and Heart in Hand to support a HUD grant application.
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January 15, 2026 at 4:20 AM
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Cole County is set to enhance local infrastructure with major safety improvements and bridge replacements on Tanner Bridge Road, alongside new sidewalks on Rainbow Drive, all thanks to strategic grant funding!

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#ColeCounty #MO #CommunityDevelopment #ColeCountyInfrastructure
Cole County awards contracts for Tanner Bridge Road projects and Rainbow Drive sidewalks
The commission approved contracts for two Tanner Bridge Road projects (safety improvements and bridge replacement) and awarded a sidewalk contract for Rainbow Drive, with grant funding covering substantial portions of the bridge and sidewalk projects.
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January 14, 2026 at 9:40 PM
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Clay County has just approved a $183 million budget for 2026, focusing on safety, economic growth, and vital infrastructure improvements!

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#ClayCounty #MO #EconomicOpportunities #PublicSafety #InfrastructureInvestment #CitizenPortal #ClayCountyBudget
Clay County adopts 2026 operating budget, approves prosecutor budget after recusal
The commission adopted the county's 2026 operating budget (Ordinance 1A) and separately approved the prosecutor's budget (Ordinance 1B) after a recusal; the proposed budget totals $183,249,505 and includes COLA, new deputy positions, capital projects and ARPA deadlines.
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January 14, 2026 at 6:39 PM
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Excelsior Springs School Board reveals a staggering rise in special-education costs, sparking plans to enhance in-district support for students!

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#MO #InclusiveEducation #MissouriSpecialEducation #SpecialNeedsSupport #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #CitizenPortal
Board hears sharp rise in special-education costs; officials plan to expand in-district supports
District reported a jump in early-childhood IEPs and said last year's 26 out-of-district placements cost nearly $2 million; officials proposed expanding in-district autism/behavior programming and noted high-need reimbursement covers roughly half of placement tuition.
citizenportal.ai
January 14, 2026 at 5:57 PM
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Excelsior Springs School District faces a $700,000 funding shortfall due to delayed reimbursements and concerning attendance metrics that could impact next year's budget.

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#MO #ExcelsiorSpringsSchools #EducationFunding #AttendanceMetrics #CitizenPortal
Excelsior Springs board hears attendance shortfall, funding squeeze; district urges demographic study
Superintendent told the board revenues lagged by roughly $700,000 in December because of reimbursement timing and state formula changes, and warned attendance metrics are reducing the district's funded student count by hundreds; board asked for more data and possible follow-ups.
citizenportal.ai
January 14, 2026 at 5:54 PM
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St. Louis Public Schools are seeing a dip in enrollment, but recent numbers show a promising upward trend—what does this mean for families and schools?

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#MO #StLouisPublicSchools #CommunityOutreach #SchoolRegistration #EducationEnrollment #CitizenPortal
SLPS reports enrollment dip from prior year but staff say numbers are trending up; FOCUS registration changes explained
Chief Mitchell told the school board that count-day enrollment fell from 17,989 (2024–25) to 17,226 this year (a difference of 763), but more recent pulls show numbers rising back to 17,368; staff reviewed FOCUS registration changes and deadlines for families.
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January 14, 2026 at 4:10 PM
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St. Louis Public Schools faces a setback with provisional accreditation, but leadership is determined to turn the tide and ensure a brighter future for students!

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#MO #CommunitySupport #AcademicImprovement #CitizenPortal #MissouriSchools #EducationAccreditation
St. Louis Public Schools says Missouri board granted provisional accreditation; district pledges to pursue full status
SLPS announced the Missouri State Board of Education placed the district on provisional accreditation. District leaders said the designation does not affect daily operations or funding and pledged to seek clarity and pursue a plan to regain full accreditation.
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January 14, 2026 at 3:43 PM
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The Lee's Summit R-VII finance committee has approved a staggering $4.82 million fund transfer to tackle looming budget shortfalls caused by delayed tax receipts and senior credits.

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#MO #BudgetTransparency #TaxRevenueIssues #EducationFunding #CitizenPortal #MissouriFinance
LSR‑7 finance committee flags tax‑timing shortfall, approves large fund transfer and considers refunding that mostly benefits UCM
The district reported a significant Fund 1 revenue shortfall tied to delayed Jackson County tax receipts and senior tax credits, moved $4.82 million from Fund 1 to Fund 2 to cover expenses, and discussed refunding 2016 certificates of participation that would save about $629,000 but be cost‑neutral to the district due to UCM cost offsets.
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January 14, 2026 at 9:24 AM
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Cass County is making life easier for seniors by eliminating the annual in-person renewal for property tax credits, saving families millions!

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#CassCounty #MO #ElderlySupport #CassCountySeniors #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability
Cass County approves automatic renewals for senior property tax credit
The Cass County Commission passed Ordinance 26-01 to streamline renewal for the senior citizen property tax credit, following testimony from Collector Chris Mollendorf that 9,466 households enrolled this year saved about $3.6 million in total.
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January 14, 2026 at 8:15 AM
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The Raymore City Council has greenlit two key ordinances for the TimberTrails project, igniting a debate over long-term tax abatements and their impact on city services!

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#RaymoreCityCassCounty #MO #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #PublicFinance #CommunityInvestment
Raymore council approves TimberTrails Chapter 100 bonds after extended legal briefing
After a detailed explanation of Chapter 100 and its interplay with the Missouri Constitution, the Raymore City Council approved Chapter 100 bond sales for the TimberTrails multifamily and retail phases (Bills 3992 and 3993); votes on both measures were 6–2. Council raised concerns about 25‑year terms and city exposure.
citizenportal.ai
January 14, 2026 at 4:32 AM
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Cole County residents are rallying to protect a cherished 175-acre parcel they believe should become a public park, as fears grow over an impending auction that could seal its fate.

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#ColeCounty #MO #LandUsePolicy #PublicParticipation #ColeCountyParks #CitizenPortal
Cole County commissioners vote to revisit Wren trust disposition after hours of public appeals
After dozens of residents urged Hawthorne Bank and the county to halt the planned auction of land from the Lawrence Wren Jr. trust, commissioners voted to direct county counsel to explore returning the matter to court by mutual consent and to seek clarity about available trust funds before the Feb. 7 sale.
citizenportal.ai
January 13, 2026 at 11:53 PM
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The Christian County Commission has officially adopted its 2026 budget, marking a significant step for local governance and community engagement!

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#ChristianCounty #MO #ChristianCountyBudget #GovernmentTransparency #PublicFinance #CivicEngagement #CitizenPortal
Christian County Commission approves 2026 budget appropriation
The Christian County Commission adopted its 2026 budget appropriation (certified commission order O1-092026-O1) after a brief meeting. Commissioners discussed the budget timeline, statutory timing and praised the auditor's work before approving the appropriation by voice vote.
citizenportal.ai
January 13, 2026 at 10:20 PM
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Clay County just approved a major change to its senior property tax credit, potentially boosting savings for seniors by millions—what does this mean for local schools and services?

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#ClayCounty #MO #ClayCountySeniors #FiscalResponsibility #TaxCredit #CommunityInput #CitizenPortal
Clay County approves ordinance extending senior property tax credit to include bond levies
After public testimony and fiscal projections from the county auditor, the Clay County Commission voted 6–0 to amend the senior property tax credit so it applies to bonded debt levies; the auditor projected annual credit growth and long‑term revenue effects and commissioners debated tradeoffs for schools, fire districts and other taxing jurisdictions.
citizenportal.ai
January 13, 2026 at 4:30 PM
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Cole County has just approved a $64.4 million budget for 2026, showcasing a $4.3 million surplus and major capital improvements!

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#ColeCounty #MO #FiscalResponsibility #GovernmentTransparency #ColeCountyBudget #CommunityInvestment #CitizenPortal
Cole County adopts $64.4 million operating budget for 2026
The Cole County Commission adopted the 2026 budget, approving $64.4 million in operating revenues, $60.1 million in operating expenses (a $4.3 million operating surplus) and $32.8 million in capital improvements. Commissioners approved a 1% cost-of-living adjustment plus a $750 stipend.
citizenportal.ai
January 13, 2026 at 2:42 PM
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Residents of St. Louis are demanding immediate action and accountability for tornado recovery, with many still displaced months later and facing bureaucratic hurdles to aid.

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#LouisCityLouisCounty #MO #HousingAccess #CitizenPortal #CommunityAccountability #StLouisRecovery
Residents urge faster action and accountability at St. Louis recovery briefing
Multiple residents and community organizers told aldermen on Jan. 8 that recovery from the May tornado is moving too slowly, citing continued displacement, low rental-assistance payouts and administrative barriers to aid.
citizenportal.ai
January 10, 2026 at 12:33 AM
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St. Louis has allocated $43.7 million for tornado recovery, but delays in contract execution have left only $9 million spent so far—what’s holding up progress?

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#LouisCityLouisCounty #MO #CommunitySupport #ContractingTransparency #CitizenPortal #StLouisRecovery #DisasterRelief
St. Louis recovery office: $43.7M in GRAMA interest allocated; leadership says contracting delays are slowing spending
At a Jan. 8 Budget Committee meeting, Chief Recovery Officer Jim Hill updated aldermen and residents on GRAMA settlement-interest funds tied to tornado relief, saying $38.6M has been awarded but only about $9M has been spent while the office finishes contracting and pursues FEMA reimbursements.
citizenportal.ai
January 10, 2026 at 12:24 AM
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Christian County is set to enhance its stormwater management with a new $45,000 grant, paving the way for crucial updates and streamlined processes for residents!

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#ChristianCounty #MO #CommunityDevelopment #GovernmentTransparency #EnvironmentalPlanning #ChristianCountyStormwater
County signs MOU with SIMCOG for $45,000 stormwater planning grant, gives planner signing authority
Christian County approved a one‑page MOU with the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SIMCOG) to administer a $45,000 grant for a stormwater management plan review under the state MS4 program, and separately authorized senior planner Jacob Phillips to sign approved plans and surveys on behalf of the county to streamline citizen transactions.
citizenportal.ai
January 9, 2026 at 7:29 AM
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A staggering $232 million in cryptocurrency has been stolen in a multi-jurisdictional fraud investigation, with suspects linked to Chicago, Turkey, and Indonesia.

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#HenryCounty #MO #GrantFunding #HenryCountyPublicSafety #FraudPrevention #CitizenPortal #TrainingDevelopment
Henry County sheriff reports large fraud probe, training gains and grant-funded enforcement
Sheriff's Office reported calls and enforcement metrics for the period, described a cryptocurrency fraud investigation the transcript records as involving $232,150,000 allegedly stolen, and outlined training and grant-funded equipment acquisitions planned for 2026.
citizenportal.ai
January 8, 2026 at 6:35 AM