Arnold Holds Property Tax Rate Steady, Approves $755,815 Pool Management Contract

Arnold residents will see no change in the city’s municipal property tax rate for the coming fiscal year after the City Council approved keeping the levy at 17.44 cents per $100 of assessed valuation during its Sept. 17 meeting.

The council also approved a $755,815 agreement for management of the city’s indoor and outdoor pools, authorized the purchase of a new skid steer and renewed financial software used by multiple city departments.

Property Tax Rate Remains Unchanged

The meeting began with a public hearing on the city’s annual property tax levy for the fiscal year running from Sept. 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2027.

City Clerk Tammi Casey told the council that Arnold’s municipal levy will remain at 17.44 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, the same rate approved last year.

Casey said the rate continues to reflect a 50% reduction in the city levy associated with the passage of Proposition Safety in 2023. She also noted that Arnold’s portion represents approximately 3% of a resident’s overall property tax bill, with the remainder going to other taxing entities such as school, county, fire and ambulance districts.

Council members also asked whether the proposed levy had been reviewed for compliance with Missouri’s Hancock Amendment. Staff said it had and that no rollback was required. While projected revenue is expected to increase by roughly $5,000 despite the unchanged rate, staff attributed the relatively small increase primarily to changes such as new construction and assessed-value growth.

Following the public hearing, the council unanimously approved Bill 2936 establishing the levy for the coming fiscal year.

Pool Management Contract Draws Question About Competition

One of the evening’s largest expenditures was Resolution 26-36, authorizing a $755,815 agreement with Midwest Pool Management for operation of Arnold’s indoor and outdoor pools during the 2026-27 budget year.

The contract covers lifeguards, chemicals, pool management and other operational responsibilities.

A city representative told the council that Arnold has worked with Midwest Pool Management since 1994.

Councilman Michael Rother questioned whether the city had sought competitive bids for the contract.

“There’s no really competitive bidding? We just go to one source?” Rother asked.

Staff responded that the city has continued using Midwest and said there is essentially no other nearby company capable of handling the city’s needs at that scale. The council then approved the resolution unanimously.

City Replacing 20-Year-Old Skid Steer

The council also approved $70,825.72 for a Cat 250 skid steer under Resolution 26-37.

Public Works staff said the equipment will replace a 2006 Bobcat that has been in service for approximately 20 years and has begun experiencing mechanical problems.

The older machine is particularly important because it is the city’s only piece of equipment capable of effectively operating its salt equipment, according to staff.

Staff said the city chose Caterpillar in part because other city equipment uses the same manufacturer and city mechanics are already familiar with servicing it.

The existing Bobcat will not be traded in. Instead, staff said the city plans to sell it through Purple Wave, an online equipment auction service.

Financial Software Renewed for $61,506

Council members unanimously approved another $61,506.10 for the city’s annual licensing and subscription renewal with Tyler Technologies.

The software is used for business licensing, utility billing and cashiering, along with finance department operations including accounts payable and payroll.

The renewal covers Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027, and includes training and technical support, according to city staff.

Mayor Discusses Meeting With State Auditor’s Office

During reports from the mayor and council, Mayor Bill Moritz said he had met earlier in the day with representatives of the Missouri State Auditor’s Office.

Moritz said the approximately 40-minute meeting included State Rep. Phil Amato, TDD board member Justin Price, the auditor’s chief of staff, a lead auditor, and a member of the team involved in Arnold’s recent audit.

“We got some good feedback from them,” Moritz told the council, adding that he planned to discuss the meeting in greater detail once more council members were present.

Stormwater Complaints Moving Toward Site Visits

Rother also provided an update on several stormwater concerns previously brought to the city by residents.

He said the city had received information from its stormwater consultant regarding issues involving residents on St. John’s Crossing and another location discussed by the council. According to Rother, information is being provided to the residents and the next step will include site visits to evaluate proposed solutions.

Rother said the city has been following the concerns since they were raised in April.

“We’re getting close to a resolution,” he said.

Indoor Pool Renovation Continues

City officials also reported progress on restoration work at the indoor pool.

Sandblasting had recently been completed, and installation of the play structure was underway. Staff said plaster work was expected to begin the following week.

The current expectation is for the pool to reopen near the end of October, although the timeline remains dependent on completion of the remaining work.

Police Fundraising Raises More Than $5,000

Arnold Police Chief Brian Carroll recognized department employees and community members who participated in Special Olympics fundraising efforts.

Carroll said the department raised $5,364 through events including Cop on a Rooftop and T-shirt sales at Schnucks.

He thanked both participating staff members and residents who supported the fundraisers.

Fox Homecoming Parade Will Close Part of Jeffco Boulevard

Residents were also given advance notice of traffic impacts from the Fox High School Homecoming Parade on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Councilman Tim Seidenstricker said Jeffco Boulevard will be closed from approximately 5:45 to 6:45 p.m., with the parade beginning at 6 p.m. at the Fox C-6 Service Center and proceeding toward Fox High School.

The council concluded the open meeting before moving into a closed session. Although the amended agenda authorized discussion of litigation, real estate and personnel, Moritz said during the meeting that the closed session was expected to deal only with personnel.

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