Pierce City aldermen review annual audit

With sales tax revenues dropping to its lowest levels in more than a decade, Pierce City aldermen received a partial picture of their financial situation with the presentation of the audit for the city’s fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2025. 
 
Dawnata Hopkins from The CPA Group in Monett reported the city received an unmodified opinion, finding no problems with the financial samples reviewed. She noted assorted taxes and fees for general services generated $620,944.17, while the city spent $684,368.19. Hopkins noted that without the $119,856.79 produced by property taxes, “You would not make it.” 
 
The general fund spent $114,000 more than it brought in, after subtracting out capital outlay for the year. This included spending more than $16,000 paying down long-term debt of $2.8 million, counting interest, from water and sewer revenue bonds for system improvements issued in 2020. Bonds will be paid off in 2041. Total debt payments ran close to $200,000. 
 
Part of the marginality of the city’s operation surfaced in paying for insurance premiums. The city has been borrowing more than $17,000 a year to cover costs for the following year at a rate of 5 percent. The loan has been renewed annually since 2023. 
 
Hopkins noted the city recovered from a shortfall the previous year, having not charged enough for water and sewer services to cover expenses. Having raised rates, the audit showed a positive balance overall going into the present year, mostly because of water sales. The sewer department still ran a negative balance of more than $11,000. 
 
On the plus side, the city reached more than $13,000 from investments held in a trust fund and in certificates of deposits. 
 
The final budget showed the city expected to spend over $200,000 on public safety/police, but spent a little over $162,000, leaving a cushion going into the current year, when all the vacancies have been filled. The city spent about $14,000 more than anticipated on recreation and culture, where costs for the swimming pool are classified. All but $10,000 of the $56,236 spent on capital improvements went into vehicles. The rest was for general equipment. 
 
Council members received a proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27, starting April 1. The budget anticipated a $20,000 drop in general fund income, largely due to a $25,000 reduction in sales tax revenues. Projections still anticipated a $9,000 increase in general spending, half of that coming from higher legal and professional expense. Efforts to hold down spending included a $9,000 reduction in insurance costs and no capital improvements in the coming year. Spending on law enforcement, despite the addition of four officers, was expected to rise only by $8,000. Less spending was expected in both water and sewer services.
 
Action on the budget is expected at the March 9 meeting. 
 
Council action
In council action, aldermen voted to approve the ordinance banning parking in the middle of Walnut Street between the bandstand and Main Street. Council member Scott Wahl introduced the measure in January and suggested posting a sign on the back pillar. He noted the parking issue becomes a serious issue during the holidays and efforts to decorate the structure. He argued vehicles parked near to the bandstand detract from its appearance. The ordinance passed 7-1, with Alderman Cory Sooter in opposition. 
 
Council members also approved applying for a Community Development Block Grant for sidewalk work. The application, if successful, would require a $10,000 match for up to $500,000 in sidewalk improvements. If unsuccessful, there would be no cost. 
 
Mayor Todd Killingsworth and Clerk Julie Johnson introduced Tessa Musgrove as the new utilities clerk. Musgrove was one of 51 applications. Her first day was Feb. 9. She came to Pierce City with background in not-for-profit organizations in Fayetteville, Ark., and is familiar with both Quickbooks for bookkeeping and grant writing. 
 
Department reports
Police Chief Steve Newton reported the department would receive $1,200 in equipment as a donation from the US Deputy Sheriffs Association. These included no-stop stick devices to disable vehicles pursued by other officers on the two state highways crossing the city.  Newton was talking to the US Department of Agriculture about securing more computers for the department. He was seeking a bank of 10 radios through Emergency Management that could be distributed to other law enforcement agencies responding to a major incident inside the city. 
 
Since February is known as equipment donation month, Newton has approached other departments that may be upgrading and discarding perfectly good items, such as uniforms secured from the Joplin department. Pierce City, he added, is now a member of the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center. This organization could help the city secure special equipment, run a special report out of Springfield, or process evidence, such as a cellular device. 
 
Officers are now stopping at four businesses a night, looking for property that could easily be stolen, then calling the owner to take appropriate steps. Newton noted officers are pushing residents to inventory their firearms and document serial numbers to help in possible recovery. Newton was also working on setting up an inkless Livescan fingerprinting system. With that, the city can gain a terminal to the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES), which city officers can use to enter stolen property reports. Sustaining the system would cost $1,200 a year with monthly charges. Newton said he is seeking grants to cover that cost. 
 
Mayor Killingsworth reported city public works crews donated a nine-hour day in Sarcoxie helping city crews there in return for assistance on Pierce City projects.