Joplin council to receive update on amendment 5, consider bridge funding and data center rules
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The Joplin City Council is expected to receive an update Monday night from its Finance Committee on Missouri's proposed Amendment 5, while also considering funding adjustments for the Tin Cup Bridge project and new regulations for future data centers.
Speaking on KZRG Monday morning, Mayor Rob O'Brian said the Finance Committee was asked to study Amendment 5, which would allow Missouri lawmakers up to five years to develop a plan that could eventually eliminate the state's income tax and replace it with an expanded sales tax system.
O'Brian said the committee reviewed information from legislators who authored the proposal and examined its potential impact on municipalities.
"The council will not take a position," O'Brian said, noting the committee's role is to help city leaders understand how the amendment could affect Joplin's finances if approved by voters.
The council will also consider a budget amendment for the recently completed Tin Cup Bridge project. O'Brian said the pedestrian suspension bridge exceeded its original budget by about $300,000 because of supply chain issues, tariff-related material cost increases and additional construction work during the project. He said the additional funding is already available through the city's transportation sales tax and is needed to finalize the project's accounting before federal ARPA deadlines.
Another item on the agenda would establish zoning standards for future data centers in Joplin. The proposed ordinance would limit data centers to heavy industrial zoning districts and require measures addressing water use, noise, lighting and setbacks from neighboring properties.
O'Brian said the proposal is the result of months of research by city staff, Planning and Zoning officials and other Missouri communities already evaluating data center developments.
The mayor also reminded residents that the Broadway Bridge northeast of downtown closed Monday for approximately two weeks while crews replace deteriorating expansion joints. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes during the closure.
