Joplin mayor demands accountability for $5m fiber project, addresses public safety funding

Joplin Mayor Rob O'Brian says the city is working to protect millions in federal broadband investments following ALLO Fiber's sale to Lumos.

The mayor also told Newstalk KZRG they are also moving forward with plans to expand police and fire staffing using federal grants and voter-approved sales tax revenue.

Joplin authorized up to $5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding for broadband infrastructure improvements, including underground fiber lines, backup systems and connections to city facilities.

O'Brian says the federally funded work appears largely complete, but the city wants independent verification to ensure taxpayers received what was promised.

"The city wants to have some third-party verification," O'Brian said.

The mayor says another concern involves unfinished construction and property restoration, including improperly graded areas and open trenches left behind during fiber installation.

"We want to know also exactly what's been done," O'Brian said.

Lumos just announced that it had completed its acquisition of ALLO's Joplin network. Existing customers are expected to transition to Lumos service near the end of 2026.

Meanwhile, O'Brian is addressing questions about the long-term funding of six additional firefighters following the city's award of a nearly $800,000 federal grant.

FEMA's SAFER Grant will help cover the cost of hiring six firefighters over three years.

Some residents wonder what happens when the temporary federal funding expires.

"Nobody gets fired when the grant runs out. We don't do that," O'Brian said.

The mayor explained that the grant allows the city to accelerate hiring while revenue from the voter-approved police and fire sales tax becomes available.

Once the city's police and fire pension reaches its required funding level, expected in early 2027, sales tax revenue can be redirected toward salaries, additional personnel and equipment.

The grant also requires the city to retain the firefighter positions after federal funding ends.

And the additional federal funding could benefit the Police Department.

Updated city projections indicate Joplin could hire nine additional police officers sooner than originally anticipated, potentially adding three officers annually from 2027 through 2029.

O'Brian cautioned that staffing increases must be balanced against major capital expenses, including fire trucks, fire stations and police facilities.

The city generally follows a pay-as-you-go approach, requiring money to accumulate before major purchases.

Council members are scheduled to review the police and fire spending plan and federal grant during a work session tonight.