[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6174811,"mediaKeyId","5364696-5af65ca0b94b9e21407415a4f842437a","parentId",5364696,"title","Willard Board approves multiple engineering contracts and bid advertisements; several items set for later review","audioSeconds",200,"startMs",2900000,"endMs",3100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5364696-5af65ca0b94b9e21407415a4f842437a&start=2900&end=3100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5364696-5af65ca0b94b9e21407415a4f842437a/thumbnail_2900000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6174811/Willard/Greene-County/Missouri/Willard-Board-approves-multiple-engineering-contracts-and-bid-advertisements-several-items-set-for-later-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174811-b0d88619cac98e363b305385bc335672/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178677&Signature=XQRewRhj9hE0j~f2EaBVFJS6igzRltbIzED~fw2qoKQuOYdRXXLVcz35BZ1UiJMn-Vu1cdpQ-SITK4ekG2OP5ShtNTPLtYDkLQuFBj6Ak-OMoMvWnRuE98-DnMLI~zBKh9AQGK~tCBDCt5XWadGaQWlMKGZVCHuphYvN6CgzLWl9QvelMUT6HMGxxgkZxHdsCaUN3ygpGCvllfK5m1wSLNX7ahnVvOkholCx~NxXxdPISeyCXmXshZ5hK~1L9kgYANTuI02AZ1e~XCRZ6-dg69dtl0wUgb24Nbg4Ok9VFn6uX9tDzBGOWSCV0b6qmW6IRpn-eDpHpzrlQGUCb5IePQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MO / City of Willard","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Willard Board of Aldermen on its most recent agenda approved several routine ordinances and motions with roll‑call votes, including authorization to advertise for bids on a lift station project and contracts for engineering on two street projects. The board also advanced a pedestrian underpass project funded through the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to a second read and approved a planning contract for design work.

Nut graf: Multiple items on the consent and regular agendas passed on recorded roll calls with unanimous “yes” votes from the four aldermen present; several policy and appointment items were discussed at first read only and will return for later action.

What passed (votes at a glance)

- Authorize advertising for bids on 94 Lift Station improvements (agenda item 14): Motion to authorize Public Works Director Ira Martin to advertise for bids passed on roll call. Vote: Alder Beallier — yes; Alder Hill — yes; Alder Lancaster — yes; Alder Matheson — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter a contract with CJW for services and engineering on Farm Road 103 (agenda item 15): Motion passed on roll call. Vote: Beallier — yes; Hill — yes; Lancaster — yes; Matheson — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter a contract with CJW for services and engineering on Jackson Street from Perriman to Jefferson (agenda item 16): Motion passed on roll call. Vote: Beallier — yes; Hill — yes; Lancaster — yes; Matheson — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance recognizing an agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to accept transportation project funds for a pedestrian underpass at US‑160 and Route 80 (agenda item 17): The board completed a second read and voted to approve the ordinance. Vote: Beallier — yes; Hill — yes; Lancaster — yes; Matheson — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance authorizing the mayor to negotiate with Crawford, Harvey & Tilly for planning and design work on the US‑160 pedestrian underpass (second read): Motion passed on roll call. Vote: Beallier — yes; Hill — yes; Lancaster — yes; Matheson — yes. Outcome: approved. Council staff said the ordinance authorizes negotiation and that a final engineering fee will be negotiated at an estimated 10–15% of total project costs.

Other actions and items

- Preliminary plat / replat discussion for Hoffman (Hovland) Hills lots 1–40: Sean McKernan, engineer for Stenger Homes, presented a proposal to replat patio home lots into single‑family lots to match the existing subdivision. Planning and zoning had reviewed the proposal; the item was opened as a public hearing. The record shows the matter was discussed and that final ordinance action will be scheduled after the public hearing process and infrastructure adjustments are confirmed.

- Ordinance to reestablish an Economic Development Task Force and an ordinance authorizing appointment of a director/alternate to the Southwest Missouri Joint Municipal Water Utility Commission (items on first read): Both items were presented and discussed; aldermen did not take final votes on those ordinances at this meeting and asked staff to bring follow‑up information before a second reading.

- Banking services: Staff reported the city issued an RFP and Commerce Bank was the top‑scoring respondent under Missouri statutes for public deposits (RSMo 110.075). Commerce representatives described treasury laddering and short‑term U.S. Treasury options to increase yield, and confirmed fraud‑prevention services such as positive pay would be available. The board did not record a separate roll call vote in the transcript for final award at this meeting; staff indicated formal documentation and an ordinance accepting the bid are in the packet.

Budget and other administrative items

- First read: Ordinance amending the 2025 budget — Finance Director Carolyn reviewed a modest net increase in revenues and expenses for various funds to reflect timing and contract changes; aldermen treated the item as a first read with detailed line‑item explanations scheduled for follow up.

Votes and roll‑call pattern

When roll calls were recorded, the transcript shows unanimous recorded “yes” votes from the four aldermen in attendance (Alder Beallier, Alder Hill, Alder Lancaster and Alder Matheson). Several items were only presented at first read and will return for subsequent reading and formal vote once staff provides additional documents and notice as required.

Ending

City staff and consultants will provide engineering cost breakdowns and contract language for the pedestrian underpass and water utility items, and will return certain items for second reads and recorded votes at future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Willard BOA Meeting 06 09 25","oneSentenceSummary","The Willard Board of Aldermen on its most recent agenda approved several routine ordinances and motions with roll‑call votes, including authorization to advertise for bids on a lift station project and contracts for engineering on two street projects.","taxTitle","Willard, Greene County, Missouri","taxId",72948,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6174816,"Willard hears pitch to buy long-term Stockton Lake water allocation as officials weigh price and timing",3439,179000,3618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5364696-5af65ca0b94b9e21407415a4f842437a&start=179&end=3618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5364696-5af65ca0b94b9e21407415a4f842437a/thumbnail_179000.jpg","/articles/6174816/Willard/Greene-County/Missouri/Willard-hears-pitch-to-buy-long-term-Stockton-Lake-water-allocation-as-officials-weigh-price-and-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174816-bb3ea1d20a5e40075abdc666b962ce8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178677&Signature=dWBRuutD5krH9o9FpysDlPmoynTY99DEcXQOqKLEhHtetRjy5SKocxiS~bxrrjSmNGEU33VoxmVyKRPgUDmZVpUkNr3CapwghSsLQowhGr~PbinFmEcK3TxI15YXQi4hp7~J2FsLmG2pGgDmQh~2c0XpOR~8Mgx2XjTOhVbke15HdKK1s8n3JHOgdAgacqOjbcxYaUB1Hu4bSLdPTSb6LNWD~UYrki-N29ba7zj4CIfUucPlUlFG6fhg7b4nWUGWhMxL9dR6ZPz7218pJ8F-UxYBgj4HzaN8XvOucgrBogIREyBMZ2uMUH9ck7KQJqu-ki-tUa2ddziNKkQ~PKmhfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rodney Rogers, a representative of Southwest Missouri Water, told the Willard Board of Aldermen at their meeting that the group has secured Pentagon approval to reallocate storage at Stockton Lake for regional drinking water and industry use and is seeking member communities to contract for portions of that storage.

Rogers said the reallocation was approved by the assistant secretary of the Army in January and that the group is now negotiating contracts to reserve storage. “As of January, reallocation of storage in Stockton Lake for Southwest Missouri … was approved at the Pentagon,” Rogers said. He described the approval as the first step; the next steps are contract negotiations and member pass-through agreements so each city can pay for its share of the storage.

Why it matters: Rogers framed the reallocation as an insurance policy against long-term groundwater decline and rising industrial demand. He said regional planning is needed because groundwater in parts of the region is being drawn down and future shortfalls are likely. “Water is our future. If there’s no water, there is no future,” he told the aldermen.

Key details and cost options

- Project scope and timeline: Rogers described a multi‑decade effort that began with coalition studies in the early 2000s, a formal reallocation request to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2007, Corps cost studies completed in 2020, and federal approvals in 2024–2025. He said the Corps’ studies showed a long-term regional gap in supply under drought scenarios and the reallocation addresses part of that gap.

- Total allocation cost and legislation: Rogers said the allocation had been estimated at various points from about $15–20 million to $33 million and that, without recent state legislation, the current figure would be near $50 million. He said recent legislation and potential funding reduce the immediate contract price for the allocation to roughly $27 million (the coalition’s share), and that some state assistance through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) might further reduce a community’s net cost.

- Willard’s estimated share and recurring cost: Rogers presented the local estimate for Willard as roughly 1.3 percent of the reallocation — about 11.95 acre‑feet of storage — which he said would yield roughly a half‑million gallons per day. He gave a recurring payment estimate of about $26,000 per year during the financing term for that share, with an estimated ongoing operations and maintenance charge near $5,000 per year after the allocation is paid off.

- Two payment options: Rogers described an immediate‑payment option (option A) and a deferred option (option B). He said option B would cost roughly 166 percent more than option A over time and that DNR financial support would apply only to entities that select option A. Rogers and staff emphasized that option A is the organization’s preferred and recommended path because DNR assistance is expected to be available only to participants that sign up for the current price.

Questions from Willard officials

City Administrator Wes and aldermen asked whether signing up for a storage contract obligates a city to immediately build new pipeline or treatment infrastructure. Rogers replied that opting to buy storage does not obligate a community to construct delivery infrastructure; infrastructure would be a separate decision and contract. “Committing to the water does not commit you to the infrastructure,” Rogers said. He described likely future work — pumps, roughly 150 miles of pipe and treatment or delivery solutions — and said detailed infrastructure plans would be phased and built only after water is reserved.

Officials pressed on timing and rates. Rogers said the contract execution timeline depends on Corps and Pentagon scheduling; the coalition’s internal target is to have member commitments in place by mid‑year, but he cautioned that Corps and contracting timelines can vary after a 20‑year permitting and study process. He estimated that, if the allocation contract is executed within about a year, local payment obligations would follow and could be incorporated into utility rate cycles or paid from other funds temporarily.

Other context and tradeoffs

Rogers said the project is intended to supplement, not replace, existing well supplies and that the allocation would not eliminate a city’s need for future wells or other local sources. He framed the cost as modest on a per‑household basis for the region — a few dollars per household per year when spread across the entire Southwest Missouri population that the coalition represents — and stressed the long‑term economic value of securing dependable water for growth and industry.

He also said regional partners have run multiple drought scenarios and water‑availability studies; the coalition identified a regional gap of roughly 53 million gallons per day under certain demand scenarios. Rogers described the opportunity as time‑sensitive given favorable contract pricing and potential grant or DNR support that may not be available if communities defer.

What the city must decide next

Aldermen did not take a final vote to authorize Willard to contract for storage at the meeting. The board discussed placing the matter on a future agenda so aldermen and staff can review contract language, DNR funding terms and budget implications. Rogers and city staff recommended that the board treat the membership/contract decision and the infrastructure decision as separate steps: sign up for the storage contract first if Willard wants to secure the current price and grant eligibility, then plan infrastructure later if the city elects to take delivery.

Ending

Rogers said the coalition is prepared to provide detailed cost spreadsheets and contract drafts for Willard staff review, and he offered to meet with city officials to answer follow‑up questions. City staff signaled they will bring additional financial detail back to the board at a future meeting before any formal commitment is made.","A Southwest Missouri Water representative outlined a decades-long effort to reallocate storage at Stockton Lake for drinking water and industry, described costs and funding options, and answered Willard officials’ questions about infrastructure obligations and timing for a contract.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Willard Board approves multiple engineering contracts and bid advertisements; several items set for later review

Willard hears pitch to buy long-term Stockton Lake water allocation as officials weigh price and timing