Kirksville Connection for February 2024
Proposition B: Purpose-Built information
The City is proposing a 3/8-cent ($0.0038) sales tax on the April 8, 2025, Municipal Election ballot. If supported by local voters, this tax would fund the construction of a new police station, a new fire station on the north side of town, a community center, and an extension of City Hall. Consumers would pay about one cent for every $3 they spend.
Many City buildings were built decades ago to serve other purposes. City Hall was built in 1905 as a post office. The police station was built in the 1960s as a bank. The fire station is a former auto dealership. The City has been a good steward of public funds by using these buildings, but they no longer provide adequate service for the people of Kirksville.
The police station has no more usable space. The space it does have is cramped and used by multiple officers for multiple different operations. There’s no secure parking and entry for officers when they bring someone into custody. Officers then have to take handcuffed individuals down a flight of stairs to be booked, which creates a safety issue for both the officer and the individual.
The fire station has run out of room for equipment storage. The building also has frequent flooding problems. Its location presents other complications. Growth on the north side of town has created challenges for a centrally located fire station. Response times to the north are below industry standard, and call volumes exceed what a single station should serve.
Being 120 years old, City Hall has accessibility concerns, particularly for residents with mobility issues. The Council Chambers is also small and limits residents from participating in their local government.
This project would create purpose-built buildings designed to function as they are supposed to, ensuring residents get the service they should.
The City has created a website at Kirksville.gov/p/purposebuilt with info on each piece of this project. Additionally, the City will use other online and in-person methods to inform residents on this topic, so stay tuned for those.
State of the City 2025
Mayor Zac Burden will deliver the 2025 State of the City Address at 5:30 pm on Monday, February 24 at the Economic Development Alliance Building, located at 315 S. Franklin St. The event is free and open to the public, so stop by if you’re available. It will also be posted on the City’s YouTube page afterward. Come hear about key projects that will happen or begin in Kirksville in 2025.
Check out the community calendar
Are you looking for something to do or curious when a certain event will be? Check out the calendar on the City’s website at Kirksville.gov/p/calendar.
You’ll find meeting dates, holiday closures and community events all in one place.
And if you have a cool event coming up that you think others would enjoy, you can submit to have it added to the calendar.
It’s an easy way for residents to stay up to date with all of the great events going on in Kirksville!
Business license renewals due soon
If you own or manage a Kirksville business, it’s time to complete your business license renewal for 2025.
Business license renewals were mailed the first week of January on pink paper to valid business license holders. Business license renewals are due back to the City on or before February 28, 2025. Return the completed renewal form, along with all required documents and fees, to the Finance Department at City Hall.
If you have not received your renewal notice, please contact the Finance Department at 660.627.1251.
If not renewed by February 28, your business license is delinquent and subject to a $100 late fee.
The failure of any contractor to renew a contractor's license by March 1 requires the contractor to pay a recertification fee of $100. The failure of any contractor to renew a contractor's license by March 31 requires any contractor who does not meet the waiver requirements to retest, regardless of previous waivers issued, and start the application process for a new business license. To receive a contractor, electrician, or plumber's license, the contractor has to pass their respective test, unless they qualify for an exemption to the testing which might be in effect at that time.
Additionally, the City wants to remind businesses of the Student Discount program. More than 20 local businesses are offering discounts or specials to students attending A.T. Still University, Moberly Area Community College’s Kirksville campus and Truman State University. If this is something your business is interested in, visit kirksville.gov/p/student-discount for information on how to participate.
Fire department performs ice rescue training
The Kirksville Fire Department used recent cold temperatures to conduct ice rescue training. This training is vital to ensure firefighters can act in these scenarios if needed. These instances may be rare, which makes training for them so important.
The 24th annual Big Event
On Saturday, March 29, 2025, students from Truman State University will show their appreciation to Kirksville residents through the annual Big Event! To sign up for service, fill out the registration form below and return it to the dropbox on the first floor of City Hall by Monday, March 21, 2025, at 5:00 pm, or sign up online at serve.truman.edu/the-big-event/. For more information, contact the SERVE Center at 660.785.7222.
Register your pets with the Kirksville Police Department
Remember to register your pets with the Kirksville Police Department. It only takes a few minutes and is completely free.
Pet registrations can be done Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm at the station. Bring your pet's current proof of rabies vaccination to receive tags.
Registrations for restricted animals require proof of insurance. Tags are good for one calendar year and must be updated each year.
Registering your pet is required by City ordinance. It also helps return lost pets to their owners. If a lost pet is recovered by Animal Control, being registered helps get it back to its owner promptly.
February events schedule
31st annual NEMO Ag Show, February 1, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm @ NEMO Fairgrounds
Beginners Quilting Workshop @ Sue Ross Arts Center
The Kirksville Arts Association is offering a Beginners Quilting Workshop with three sessions in February. They are on February 1, 8 and 15. Visit kirksvillearts-srac.org/ to learn more.
Curtain Call Theatre Company presents “In the Good Old Summertime,” February 7, 7:00 pm @ 512 West Elizabeth St.
Curtain Call Theatre Company is showing the 1949 classic romantic comedy musical. Admission is free with donations appreciated.
42nd annual Truman Piano Festival, February 14 and 15 @ Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall
Dr. Oliver Jia will lead a recital at 7:30 pm on February 14 with competition to follow the next day. See more info at https://www.truman.edu/majors-programs/majors-minors/music-major/piano-festival/#details-0-1.
Truman Theatre presents “Medea,” February 20-23, @ James G. Severns Theatre
The mythic figure of Medea – outsider, woman, sorcerer – has captivated audiences for millennia. When Jason, the hero she helped and loved, abandons Medea for a royal match, she is driven to unimaginable vengeance. Truman Theatre faculty Cat Gleason brings this timeless tale to life within a contemporary framework that challenges our perceptions of the role of women, mothers, and outsiders in our society. Purchase tickets at https://trumanstateuniversity.tixtrack.com/tickets/series/MedeaAdapted.
20th annual Kirksville Polar Plunge, February 22, 1:00 pm @ Thousand Hills State Park
Help support Special Olympics Missouri with this great fundraiser. You can register online at https://support.somo.org/event/2025-polar-plunge-kirksville/e623384 or the day of at 11:00 am. And don’t forget that the Summer Games will be in Kirksville in just a few months!
NEMO Bridal Expo, February 23, 1:00-4:00 pm @ NEMO Fairgrounds
February meeting schedule
February 3: City Council, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
February 4: Lakes, Parks and Recreation Commission, 12:00 pm @ Kirksville Aquatic Center
February 5: Tourism Advisory Board, 8:00 am @ Economic Development Alliance Building
February 10: City Council Study Session, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
February 12: Planning and Zoning Commission, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
February 17: Offices closed for President’s Day