Kirksville Connection for April 2025
Prop B: Purpose-Built
Just ahead of April 8’s Municipal Election, the City of Kirksville wants to remind residents where they can find information about Proposition B: Purpose-Built. Head to Kirksville.gov and you’ll see a banner directing you to a page covering all aspects of the proposition.
As a refresher, Prop B is a 3/8-cent ($0.0038) sales tax proposal that would fund a new police station, an additional fire station on the north side of town, a new community center, and an expansion of City Hall.
The proposed police station would create adequate, usable space for the Police Department that isn’t possible in the current remodeled bank building. The additional fire station would fix the lengthy response time it takes firefighters to reach the north side of Kirksville. The community center would add multipurpose space for the public to use. That building would also be used by the Police and Fire Departments to offer training to surrounding agencies, making Kirksville a regional hub for those services. The City Hall expansion would create a ground-level entrance to accommodate residents with mobility issues, a larger Council Chambers to allow more attendees and that would also be available for other uses (such as a warming and cooling center), and larger space for E-911 operations.
This proposed sales tax would amount to an increase of one cent for every $3 spent. As an example, the average family spends $300 a week on groceries. If approved, this sales tax would add $1.13 to that purchase.
If Prop B is approved, Kirksville’s sales tax rate would go from 8.725% to 9.1%. Here are comparisons to sales tax rates for other similarly sized communities: Moberly: 8.475%; Hannibal: 8.85%; Mexico: 8.85%; Maryville: 9.1%; Republic: 9.1%; Fulton: 9.225%; Warrensburg: 9.475%; Branson: 10.35%.
Make sure you participate in this election on April 8. Again, to learn more on Prop B, visit Kirksville.gov.
Spring brush and limb pick-up
Save the date for the City’s spring brush and limb pick-up, scheduled for the week of April 7, 2025.
This is the perfect time to remove dead branches and smaller dead trees from your yard. City crews will begin picking up tree limbs and large brush on Monday, April 7, 2025. Although the work is expected to take the entire week, to guarantee pick up, your brush must be placed curbside by 7:00 am on Monday. This includes limbs that are no longer than 10 feet in length, and/or no wider than 18 inches in diameter.
We’ll see you at Touch A Truck
Don’t miss the Kirksville Diversity Festival
The Kirksville Diversity Festival is back on April 26, 2025! It will be held at the Ray Miller Elementary School gym from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
This free community event offers a ton of food, fun and entertainment for people of all ages to enjoy. Make sure you come out and learn about the wide range of people that call Kirksville home.
New airport terminal construction underway
Expected to be completed next summer, the new terminal will be nearly twice as large as its predecessor, hitting accessibility and functionality standards to meet traveler's needs now and into the future. View the ground-breaking ceremony above.
Make sure you know if your home project requires a permit or not
Are you starting to plan remodeling work for your home this year? If so, it’s important to remember that a permit is required for many remodeling tasks.
Permits aren’t required for cosmetic changes such as painting or replacing carpet. However, a permit is needed for work that can affect the structure of your home, such as removing a wall or building a deck, or if there are modifications to the electrical, plumbing, or gas systems in the building.
The permit process works to protect you as a homeowner. Doing work without a permit or the necessary inspections could put you, your family, your neighbors, and possibly the general public at risk.
Staff in the Community and Economic Development Department can help determine if you need a permit and answer any questions to help you. Stop by City Hall to see them, contact them at 660.627.1272, or visit Kirksville.gov/p/remodeling-permit.
April events schedule
Kirksville High School Art Exhibition, through April 10 @ the Sue Ross Arts Center
See the fine work by local students during this ongoing gallery. A reception will be held at 5:30 pm on April 10 at the Arts Center.
Truman State University Art Gallery Exhibit, through April 25 @ the Charlyn Gallery
Outstanding art from Truman students will also be on display this month.
Petroglyph Tour, April 4, 6:30 pm @ Thousand Hills State Park
Thousand Hills State Park is home to a collection of petroglyphs or rock carvings made by ancestors of today’s American Indians. Explore the petroglyphs with park staff to learn more about this unique piece of history. Meet at the petroglyph shelter located next to the beach.
ATSU Wellness Run/Walk, April 5, 9:00 am @ Thompson Campus Center
This is a fun and energizing event designed to support both your health and the ATSU Student Emergency Fund. Whether you run, jog, or walk, this event is about embracing movement, reducing stress, and building a healthier lifestyle—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Learn more or register at https://runsignup.com/Race/MO/Kirksville/ATSUSpringWellnessRun.
“Peter and the Starcatcher,” April 10-13, 16 and 17 @ James G. Severns Theatre
Catch “Peter and the Starcatcher,” a magical prequel to Peter Pan that reimagines the origin of the beloved boy who never grows up. This wildly theatrical adventure follows a young orphan and his friends as they encounter pirates, a magical trunk of starstuff, and a determined Starcatcher-in-training, Molly. Get tickets at https://trumanstateuniversity.tixtrack.com/tickets/series/PeterandtheStarCatcher.
Distinguished Speaker “Miracle on the Hudson” Captain “Sully” Sullenberger, April 11, 7:00 pm @ Baldwin Hall Auditorium
Ambassador “Sully” Sullenberger, Captain of US Airways Flight 1549, will be Truman’s Holman Family Distinguished Speaker in April. Sullenberger became internationally renowned on Jan. 15, 2009, when he and his crew safely guided their disabled jetliner to an emergency water landing in New York City’s frigid Hudson River during what has been called the “Miracle on the Hudson.” All 155 aboard survived. Sullenberger and his crew received international acclaim for their actions, including the passage of a Congressional resolution recognizing their bravery. Tickets are free and available at the Kirksville Arts Center, Ruth W. Towne Museum. Remaining tickets will be available at the Baldwin Auditorium ticket window starting at 6:30 pm on April 11. See more info at https://www.truman.edu/events/holman-family-speaker-miracle-on-the-hudson-captain-sully-sullenberger/.
25th annual Daddy-Daughter Dance, April 25, 6:30 pm @ NEMO Fair Building
“Schoolhouse Rock Live,” April 25, 26, 27 @ Baldwin Hall Auditorium
Get ready to sing along with “Schoolhouse Rock Live!”—this energetic, retro revue makes learning fun and unforgettable and brings the Emmy-winning 1970s cartoon series to the stage. The Musical follows Tom, a very excited but also nervous third-grade teacher, as he discovers his favorite TV show comes to life, teaching him how to win over his students with catchy tunes like “Just a Bill” and “Conjunction Junction.” Perfect for all ages, this fun-filled show updates the cherished series for a new generation. Get tickets at https://trumanstateuniversity.tixtrack.com/tickets/series/SchoolHouseRockLive.
Community Cat Show, April 26, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm @ NEMO Fairgrounds 4H Building
This is a show for all people who love their cats. This fundraiser for the Adair County Humane Society will include vendors, cat adoptions, food, contests and prizes. Stay tuned to the humane society’s and PurrMore Cat Grooming’s Facebook pages for more info.
Earth Day, April 26, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm @ Thousand Hills State Park
Visit Thousand Hills State Park to celebrate Earth Day! Local organizations will have stations and activities around the beach parking lot and the paved trail. Come connect with the Earth and nature through unique opportunities facilitated by community members! There will be activities and educational booths for all ages at this free event! The Missouri Department of Conservation will be providing fishing opportunities during this event (there will be directional signs up in the park). This event is weather permitting. For more details about stations, locations, or to be notified if the event is canceled for weather, follow the event on Facebook.
Special Olympics Missouri North Area Spring Games, April 26, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm @ Kirksville High School
Learn more or apply to volunteer here: https://somo.org/calendar/north-area-spring-games-kirksville-2/.
April meeting schedule
April 1: Lakes, Parks and Recreation Commission, 12:00 pm @ the Kirksville Aquatic Center
April 2: Tourism Advisory Board, 8:00 am @ the Economic Development Alliance Building
April 7: City Council Meeting, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
April 8: Municipal Election Day
April 8: Airport and Transportation Commission, 12:00 pm @ the Kirksville Aquatic Center
April 9: Planning and Zoning Commission, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
April 14: City Council Study Session, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
April 21: City Council Meeting, 6:00 pm @ City Hall