Kirksville Connection for December 2023
Happy holidays from the City of Kirksville
Many, many hours of hard work from City staff, local businesses and organizations, and volunteers helped make this year’s Hometown Holiday another great community event.
The City of Kirksville hopes to see you all again next year and wishes everyone a happy holiday season!
City Council filing opens December 5
Filing for City Council candidates begins Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 8:00 am and continues through Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at 5:00 pm. You may file in the City Clerk’s office at City Hall, 201 S. Franklin St., during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, except for designated holidays and on December 7 and 8.
The Municipal Election for City Council will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. There is one three-year term available in the election.
To qualify, you must be 21 years of age prior to taking office; a US citizen; a resident of Kirksville for one year preceding the election; and a registered voter. Anyone who has been found guilty of, or pled to, a felony does not qualify. Prior to filing, each person must complete an “Affidavit” with the Missouri Department of Revenue affirming that all state income, personal property, and real property taxes on their place of residence have been paid.
For more information, contact City Clerk Wanda Cagle at 660.627.1225.
Office closures in December
There are multiple office closures in December the City of Kirksville would like to make residents aware of.
City Hall will close at 11:30 am on Friday, December 1
All City offices will be closed December 22 and 25 in observance of Christmas.
Additionally, City Hall will be closed on December 7 and 8 as multiple departments are relocated. The Codes Department is moving to the first floor and the Administration and Human Resources Departments are moving to the second floor. This change allows for greater efficiency for residents to the most visited departments in City Hall: Codes and Finance.
If you need to make a utility payment during these closures, you may do so online at www.municipalonlinepayments.com/kirksvillemo, at the dropbox in the front of City Hall or the one across the street, or by the pay-by-phone system by calling 877.878.7405.
During the December 7 and 8 closure, the Finance Department can be reached over the phone at 660.627.1251.
2024 budget process update
The first public reading for the 2024 budget will happen during a public hearing at the City Council meeting on December 4, 2023, at 6:00 pm at City Hall. This is an opportunity for Kirksville residents to offer input into the budget process and for the Council to consider revisions.
This is still a proposed budget until the Council approves the final document at its December 18, 2023, meeting.
The proposed budget is available for review online at kirksvillecity.com/p/budget, or in the City Clerk’s office at City Hall.
Breakfast with Santa nearly sold out
There are a few tickets left for the Parks and Recreation Department’s Breakfast with Santa event this year.
The 8:30 am feast on December 2 has sold out, but spots remain for the other three.
Tickets are available at the Kirksville Parks and Recreation office located at the Kirksville Aquatic Center, or online at parks.kirksvillecity.com.
Get your Letters to Santa this month
The Kirksville Parks and Recreation Department is teaming up with local schools to make this holiday season extra special for your little ones. Every child who writes a letter to Santa will receive a personalized response straight from the North Pole!
If your child is not part of a participating school, they can write a letter and drop it in Santa's mailbox, located at the Kirksville Aquatic Center, or mail a letter to 801 E. Mill St. Kirkville, MO 63501. Santa will send a personalized response back in the mail. Please include: Child's Full Name, Parents Name, Mailing Address.
For more information, please contact the elves at the Kirksville Parks and Recreation Department at 660.627.1485.
Public Christmas tree drop-off
Are you wondering what to do with your old Christmas tree? The City will offer a free Christmas tree drop-off from Wednesday, December 27, 2023, through Wednesday, January 3, 2024! Christmas trees may be dropped off within the orange fenced-in area in the northeast corner of the Missouri Street and Main Street public parking lot. All decorations, including ornaments, lights, tinsel, etc., must be removed prior to drop-off.
December events schedule
4th annual Holiday Marketplace, runs through December 15
The Kirksville Arts Associations' Holiday Marketplace returns to the Sue Ross Arts Center. It is open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday, then from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturdays. For more info, visit kirksvillearts.org.
Missouri Livestock Symposium, December 1, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm and December 2, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm @ William Matthew Middle School.
The Missouri Livestock Symposium is the premier educational event and trade show for livestock producers. If you’re serious about livestock production, don’t miss this lineup of nationally-known speakers covering timely topics, and our large agricultural trade show. For more info. See missourilivestock.com.
38th annual Reindeer Romp, December 2, 9:00 am @ DuKum Inn
The 38th annual Reindeer Romp, a four-mile run and 1.5-mile walk, is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season while supporting the Salvation Army and Radio Park Food Drive. There will be food and toy box collections at both the Dukum Inn and Thompson Campus Center on race day. All registered runners and walkers receive a long-sleeve T-shirt, jingle bells, and post-race refreshments. After the race enjoy a soft tissue massage by the SAAO stretch clinic. For more info, visit https://www.raceplace.com/events/142291/atsu-reindeer-romp-2023.
See Santa Claus in downtown Kirksville
Santa will be available for pictures in the Adair County Courthouse on December 2, 9 and 16 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
The Kohlenberg Lyceum Series presents “The Nutcracker,” December 2, 7:00 pm @ Baldwin Hall Auditorium
Dancers from the St. Louis Ballet will take to the stage to perform selections from the holiday classic “The Nutcracker.” With choreography by Gen Horiuchi and music by Tchaikovsky, “The Nutcracker” features company dancers, professional character actors and students from the school of the St. Louis Ballet. Tickets are available two weeks prior to each event and can be picked up on campus in the Union & Involvement Office in the Student Union Building, the Advancement Office in McClain Hall 205 or the Admissions Office in the Ruth W. Towne Museum and Visitors Center. Tickets are also available downtown at the Kirksville Arts Association.
Kirksville Community Chorus’ Holiday Concert, December 4, 7:00 pm @ First Christian Church
Christmas Craft Fair, December 9, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm @ The Adair County Public Library
There will be crafts available for kids, teens and adults, that way everyone can make the perfect gift.
United Way of Northeast Missouri’s Holiday Light Contest
The United Way of Northeast Missouri is hosting their second annual Holiday Light Contest. The two contest categories are "Home" & "Business.” Registration can be made by following this link: https://forms.gle/6jx7MThLFuNgNbns7. The winner of the home decorating contest will receive a Ring Doorbell thanks to Home Depot. The business winner will receive a $50 gift card to Mi Casa to take their employees out to lunch. Registration for homes is $20 and for Businesses $30. Registration deadline is December 13th, with judging to take place on December 16 by Kirksville celebrities.
Cookie Decorating with Santa, December 16, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm @ The Adair County Public Library
Decorate some sugar cookies and get pictures with Santa.
December meeting schedule
December 4: City Council, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
December 5: Lakes, Parks and Recreation Commission, 12:00 @ Kirksville Aquatic Center
December 6: Tourism Advisory Board, 8:00 am @ Economic Development Alliance Building
December 11: City Council Study Session, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
December 13: Planning and Zoning Commission, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
December 18: City Council, 6:00 pm @ City Hall