Festus, MO – The Festus City Council met in regular session Monday evening, approving several ordinances, including the setting of annual tax rates and authorizing a renovation contract for the space next to the public library.

Following the call to order, roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, the Council unanimously approved the consent agenda. Items included minutes from the Aug. 25 work session, council meeting, and closed session, along with bill payments and correspondence.

During the meeting, residents were given the opportunity to address the Council, with public comments limited to five minutes per speaker, as outlined in advance by the City Clerk’s office.

Council members reviewed a bid for renovations at 406 West Main Street, a structure attached to the public library. Bill No. 4842, authorizing a contract with Centermark Construction, LLC, to complete the renovations, was passed and incorporated into city ordinance.

The Council also passed Bill No. 4843, setting the 2025-2026 fiscal year tax rates for public health, the public library, general revenue, and city parks. The tax rates are as follows: 0.0722 on a $100 for public health, .1839 on a $100 for the fire department, .0995 on a $100 for parks, and .0995 on a $100 for the public library.

Other approved measures included:

• Bill No. 4844, authorizing the issuance of up to $14.8 million in taxable industrial revenue bonds to support Crown Hospitality LLC’s new industrial development project in the city.
• Bill No. 4845, allowing the city to issue administrative search warrants to address nuisances and violations related to property maintenance and zoning ordinances.
• Bill No. 4846, amending the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget.

Under new business, the Council approved a picnic license request for StreetFest, scheduled for Oct. 11, 2025, organized by the Festus Main Street Association.

Also mentioned by the Council was the immense effect Festus Police Department put into the safety of the Twin City Days. Festus Police wrote 270 tickets from 357 traffic stops and arrested 9 individuals for DWIs.

The meeting concluded with reports from the mayor and council members before adjourning.

Paul Barnard Editor

Paul Barnard is the editor of the Twin City News. Barnard Graduated from Norwich University, America's oldest private military college, with a B.S. in Communications and Media Technology. There he studied journalism and marketing. For years after, Barnard was in law enforcement and gained experience in the Special Investigations Unit and publishing all the department's press releases. As Barnard's family grew, he moved on to start Twin City News.

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