Jefferson County Council Approves Five-Year Capital Plan as Advocates Call for More Local Services

The council also approved a rezoning request in District 6. During public comments, local advocates spoke about the need for more treatment, recovery, and housing services in Jefferson County.

By The Jefferson Review Staff

The Jefferson County Council approved the county’s new five-year capital plan Monday night.

The plan covers major county needs and projects from 2027 through 2031. All seven council members voted in favor of it.

Before the vote, the council held a public hearing on the plan. No one spoke for or against it.

Councilman Charles Groeteke thanked county staff for answering his questions. He said the answers were complete and helpful.

The plan was prepared by the county executive and presented to the council. It will help guide the county as it plans future projects and spending.

While the council approved the plan without much discussion, public comments focused on another issue. Local advocates said Jefferson County does not have enough treatment, recovery, and housing services.

Advocates Describe Lack of Local Treatment Options

Scott Harbin told the council that he works with a nonprofit group that helps people get identification cards, birth certificates, and other services.

Harbin said he has helped more than 20 people enter treatment during the past three months. However, only three were able to stay in Jefferson County because there are not enough local programs.

Many residents must travel to other parts of Missouri or leave the state to receive treatment. Harbin said that distance can make recovery more difficult.

People may want help but feel afraid to leave their families and support systems. Some treatment programs also have long waiting lists or require private insurance.

Harbin said Jefferson County has very few sober-living homes for people working to rebuild their lives after treatment.

“The ones that do want help, where do we take them?” Harbin asked.

Harbin also shared his own story. He said he once struggled with addiction and lived on the streets. In December, he will celebrate 10 years in recovery.

He said his experience shows that recovery is possible when people receive the right help.

Local groups are working together to find treatment openings, transportation, and money to help residents. Harbin said those efforts are making a difference, but the need is greater than the services available in the county.

Meal Programs Report Growing Need

Karen Kostich also spoke to the council. She gave an update on meal programs and other community services in High Ridge, Arnold, and Festus.

Kostich said the High Ridge meal program started June 2 and has continued to grow. It serves families, people without stable housing, and others who are struggling to afford food.

One family that attends includes two parents and eight children. Volunteers send extra food home with the family when enough is available.

In Arnold, meals are served at The Salvation Army on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kostich said the program usually serves between 50 and 60 people.

The High Ridge program serves about 20 to 25 people. A Monday meal program in Festus is also growing.

Kostich said the Festus area appears to have the most people without stable housing among the areas served by the group.

She also said she receives calls every day from people looking for housing. Many of the callers are older adults, and some have medical needs.

Some people lose their housing after a fire, mold problem, major repair, or unexpected bill. Kostich said many families are already having trouble paying their normal expenses. One emergency can leave them without a place to live.

“Housing is not affordable,” Kostich told the council. “A lot of people, they’re living by a shoestring anyway. And then when something breaks or something happens, it just multiplies.”

Kostich said churches, nonprofits, police departments, and volunteers are working together to help. These partnerships have helped residents find food, transportation, treatment, and other services.

However, many treatment and recovery programs are located outside Jefferson County. Residents may have to travel several hours to a place where they do not know anyone.

Kostich said that can be frightening for someone who is already facing addiction, housing problems, or another crisis.

“We stay focused on Jefferson County because it has big enough issues to deal with,” Kostich said.

Resident Raises Public Safety Concern

Dawn Chadd spoke about a recent incident involving a firearm near Senior Drive.

Chadd said the incident involved a young man who may not have received the right guidance. She said it showed the public safety concerns facing people in the area.

According to Chadd, the firearm was fired inside the Arnold city limits, and an arrest was made. She questioned whether the response would have been the same if it had happened in an area served by Jefferson County.

Council members did not respond during the public comment period. The public comment portion of the meeting is not held as a question-and-answer session.

Council Approves District 6 Rezoning

The council also approved a zoning change for a property in Council District 6.

The property was changed from a rural agricultural zoning district to a large-lot residential district. The change will allow the land to be used for homes on large lots.

The request had already gone through the county’s planning and zoning process and an earlier public hearing.

Council members did not discuss the request before voting. It passed 7 to 0.

Other Council Actions

The council approved a resolution allowing the Jefferson County Assessor’s Office to dispose of certain records. The records will be handled under Missouri’s rules for keeping and destroying public documents.

The council also accepted the county treasurer’s financial report for July 2026. The report will be kept in the county clerk’s office.

County Executive Dennis Gannon said he expects to share more information after future meetings about changes to the county’s development rules.

All seven council members were present. The meeting ended without a closed session.