Madeleine Leroux

Jefferson City considers transit commission

As Jefferson City continues discussing its transit system’s future, one option being considered is the establishment of a transit commission.

11 city employees retiring early

Jefferson City municipal government will see more savings than anticipated through its early retirement program, with 11 city employees taking part.

Council restores transit funds

The Jefferson City Council has approved a resolution restoring $55,000 to the city’s transit division and avoiding a three-hour midday break in service.

How are the tax dollars being spent?

When it comes to economic development, the measure of success isn’t necessarily what some might think.

JC sales tax revenue falls below lowered projections

After approving a series of budget cuts and lowering sales tax projections to deal with a $1.68 million budget shortfall, Jefferson City’s sales tax numbers still are not meeting projections.

Transit funds may be restored Monday

Councilman looks to offer resolution

The Jefferson City Council likely will take action Monday to restore funds to the city’s transit division and avoid a midday break in service.

Municipal court undergoing state audit

The Jefferson City municipal court is undergoing a state audit, something both the auditors and court personnel say simply is standard procedure.

Opposition to transit cuts grows

Riders and supporters of Jefferson City’s transit system are continuing to speak out against a proposed cut in service. More than 25 people turned out for the city’s second public hearing on the proposed midday break.

New council to be sworn in Monday

Monday night will mark the start of a new Jefferson City Council, as three new members prepare to take their seats. First, the current council must act on several bills, including one to reduce the salary of council members and the mayor to $1 per year.

Transit riders voice opposition to cuts

Jefferson City transit riders gathered Wednesday to voice their opposition to a proposed cut in bus service. Roughly 25 people turned out for the city’s first public hearing on a proposed midday break.

Jefferson City Parks fund balance ‘healthy’ after audit

The Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department has more than $6.5 million in reserve funds after the completion of the city’s audit for the last fiscal year.

Municipal court to drop night proceedings

Jefferson City’s municipal court will switch Wednesday night court proceedings to earlier in the day starting June 1, partly in an attempt to save money.

JeffTran riders fight cuts

Public hearings set for this week on transit system

Planned cuts to Jefferson City’s transit system have riders and supporters mobilizing. A proposed break would stop all transit service, including Handi Wheels, from 11:20 a.m.-2:40 p.m. each day.

Transit cost-share discussed with school district

Jefferson City officials are discussing a possible cost-share agreement with the school district to continue after-school tripper routes on the city’s transit system.

Senator meets with Guard to talk sexual assault

U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill met with officials with the Missouri National Guard on Wednesday to discuss the issues of sexual assault, suicide and behavioral health of military members.

Schulte, Hussey, Graham elected to JC council

Two newcomers - Ken Hussey and Carlos Graham - will join the Jefferson City Council, and incumbent Shawn Schulte will keep his seat.

Chamber presents annual report to council

Officials with the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce presented their annual report to the City Council on Monday, detailing efforts made, funds spent and hours worked on economic development.

Council to seek conference center ‘facilitator’

The Jefferson City Council will be seeking a facilitator to help advise them during the evaluation phase of the conference center selection.

Parks escaped most Jefferson City budget cuts

With own funding source, city department was in unique position

Because of the Jefferson City parks sales tax, the Parks Department largely maintains its own operational budget, with very little general revenue. That situation meant it had little to fear in terms of cuts.

Jefferson City voters face elections in three wards Tuesday

Incumbents in the 2nd and 4th wards both face challenges to their seats on the Jefferson City Council Tuesday, while the 3rd Ward will choose between two challengers to fill an outgoing councilman’s seat.

Council to discuss pay of elected officials

The Jefferson City Council will discuss a proposal to nearly eliminate the pay for city elected officials, but whether the bill will gain momentum is questionable.

Committee still discussing JCTV’s future

One week after the city opted not to terminate its contract with JCTV, council members are continuing discussions on what the future may hold for the station.

Councilman considers offering bill to reduce elected officials' pay

One Jefferson City council member is considering whether to offer a bill to nearly eliminate the salary of the city’s elected officials.

Target date: July 1

Council approves tentative timeline for conference center selection

The Jefferson City Council is hoping to make a final decision on a proposed conference center by mid-summer.

Why is Jefferson City's budget short?

E-mails note incorrect projections, falling sales tax revenues to blame

A series of city emails obtained by the News Tribune note incorrect projections and falling sales tax revenues are to blame for Jefferson City's $1.68 million shortfall in the current fiscal year budget.

City has dipped substantially into reserves

But fund balance still within normal ranges, city officials say

Jefferson City’s fund balance has shrunk substantially in the past few months, but its current balance is not out of the norm for previous years.

E-mail: Successor for city administrator was sought

Public works director was asked to step in as interim

Last month, Jefferson City Mayor Eric Struemph presented his evaluation of City Administrator Nathan Nickolaus’ job performance in closed session. The city’s public works director had been approached about replacing Nickolaus.

Incumbent, challenger face off for second time in JC 4th Ward

Jefferson City Ward 4 voters will make a choice in the April 2 general election between incumbent Bill Luebbert and challenger Carlos Graham.

Committee backs $15,000 driveway reconstruction

The Public Works and Planning Committee has approved a recommendation to reconstruct a driveway that was modified as part of the East McCarty Street project.

Council discusses conference center selection process

The Jefferson City Council is continuing its efforts to try and select a developer for a proposed conference center.

Council approves $1.68M in cuts

No discussion before vote

The Jefferson City Council has approved $1.68 million in cuts to cover an unexpected budget shortfall that was revealed late last month.

JCTV escapes termination

Despite anticipation of a rough budgeting year ahead, the Jefferson City Council has opted not to terminate the city’s contract with JCTV.

City seeks to boost morale of employees

In the midst of tackling a $1.68 million budget shortfall, Jefferson City officials are trying to address the morale of city employees.

Council, staff define what they see as most important city services

The Jefferson City Council on Monday night is preparing to approve $1.68 million in budget cuts, which has caused some discussion about what city services are essential.

City departments outline how they’ll handle cuts

Every department in Jefferson City Hall is looking at cuts of some kind to help manage a $1.68 million budget shortfall, but some departments have been hit harder than others.

Budget-cut package evolved through three stages

Proposed budget cuts the Jefferson City Council will consider on Monday have evolved through weeks of discussions and revisions. Some have been increased or decreased, eliminated from or added to the list of original cuts.

Two candidates seek 3rd Ward JC council seat

Jefferson City's Ward 3 voters will make a choice in the April 2 general election between Len Stella and Ken Hussey for the council seat currently held by Bryan Pope, who has opted not to seek re-election.

Council to look at terminating JCTV contract

The Jefferson City Council will take action Monday on a resolution authorizing the termination of the city’s agreement with Lincoln University to run JCTV.

Panel seeks to alleviate budget concerns

The Jefferson City Council sought to assuage any concerns of city staff about layoffs or furloughs, something city officials say will not be necessary to deal with the $1.68 million budget shortfall.

Special City Council meeting set to discuss resignations, morale

The Jefferson City Council has scheduled a special meeting for 8 a.m. Thursday to discuss budget issues, resignations and morale.

Parks Commission approves budget adjustments

The Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission has approved budget adjustments to correspond with lower than projected sales tax receipts and the city’s $1.68 million budget shortfall in general revenue.

Jefferson City communications manager resigns

A second Jefferson City official has resigned today, in the midst of a $1.68 million budget shortfall.

Schwartze resigning as public works director

Jefferson City Public Works Director Roger Schwartze has decided to resign from his post in the midst of a $1.68 million budget shortfall.

Making up a $1.68 million shortfall

Jefferson City officials are expected to move forward next week with a plan to make up for a $1.68 million budget shortfall, which will initiate cuts to every city department and some city funded events.

Incumbent, challenger seek Ward 2 council seat

In Jefferson City April election

Jefferson City Ward 2 voters will make a choice in the April 7 general election between incumbent Shawn Schulte and challenger Blake Markus.

Airport tower on list to close

The air traffic control tower at Jefferson City Memorial Airport may be closed in about a month, unless efforts to keep it operating are successful.

James Branch wins 1st Ward council seat

With more than 50 percent of the vote, James Branch has secured the 1st Ward seat on the Jefferson City Council.

City discusses further cuts in budget shortfall

The Jefferson City Council is struggling to deal with an almost $2 million budget shortfall and has yet to approve a plan of cuts proposed by the city administrator last week.

Evaluation of city administrator presented in closed session

‘We are not without concerns’

Mayor Eric Struemph acknowledges he used a recent closed session of the Jefferson City Council to discuss his evaluation of City Administrator Nathan Nickolaus.

Ward 1 candidates to face off in Tuesday primary

Ward 1 voters will have three candidates to choose from Tuesday - James Branch, Kolbie Ward and Chris Holsman - in Jefferson City’s only primary.

Stories by Madeleine