Jefferson County Council Moves Wow Entertainment Plan Forward After Denial Resolution Fails

Council members also approved road tax reimbursements, county contracts, budget amendments and board compensation measures during Monday’s meeting.

By The Jefferson Review

The Jefferson County Council moved a revised development plan request for Wow Entertainment back toward possible approval Monday night after a resolution to deny the application failed.

The item, listed as Resolution No. R26-0634, was a resolution and order denying application PB26-0015, a request for revised development plan approval for Wow Entertainment in Council District 2. After the resolution was read, Councilman Billy Crow said he did not want the council to approve the denial as written.

Crow said Wow Entertainment is a strong facility, but he also understood staff concerns and stipulations connected to the request. He asked the rest of the council to vote no on adopting the denial resolution so the matter could return later as a bill with staff recommendations for approval.

The motion to adopt the denial resolution failed by a vote of one yes and six no. The single yes vote was Charles Groeteke from Council District 4. Later in the meeting, Crow made a motion to place PB26-0015 on a future agenda as an approval with staff recommendations. The council approved that motion seven yes and zero no.

The council also approved Resolution No. R26-0635, which corrected erroneous assessments or mistakes or defects in descriptions of lands, assessment records or personal property tax records for property in Jefferson County. That resolution passed seven yes and zero no.

The council adopted the consent agenda in full with no items removed. The consent agenda included Bill No. 26-06143, authorizing Jefferson County to reimburse the City of De Soto under the county’s one half of one percent road improvement sales tax revenue sharing agreement.

Similar road improvement reimbursement measures were included for the City of Crystal City through Bill No. 26-06144, the City of Byrnes Mill through Bill No. 26-06145 and the Festus Special Road District through Bill No. 26-06146.

The consent agenda also included Bill No. 26-06147, renewing bid awards for certain products and services for Channel Post 2025 for the Department of Public Works, and Bill No. 26-06148, awarding bids for construction services for 2026.

Bill No. 26-06149 awarded bids connected to Hazmat Physicals 2026 for Emergency Management. Bill No. 26-06150 authorized Change Order No. 1 for the Rebid Shelter Care Services 2025 contract for the Jefferson County Juvenile Department.

Several technology and administrative contracts were also included. Bill No. 26-06151 renewed the CivicClerk software contract with CivicPlus, Bill No. 26-06152 renewed the CivicGov software contract with CivicPlus and Bill No. 26-06153 renewed the SeeClickFix software contract with CivicPlus.

The consent agenda also included Bill No. 26-06154, authorizing the county to use State of Missouri contract pricing for agricultural tractors with related attachments and accessories for Public Works. Bill No. 26-06155 approved an agreement between Jefferson County and ProWest & Associates for the Assessor’s Office. Bill No. 26-06156 authorized a consulting services contract with Lochner, an Egis company, for an airport site selection study.

Two new bills were introduced later in the meeting.

Bill No. 26-06157 would approve application PB26-0012, rezoning a parcel in Council District 2 from Non Planned Commercial, also known as CC2, to Single Family Residential, also known as R10. The bill was approved on first reading and moved to perfection by a vote of seven yes and zero no.

Bill No. 26-06158 would amend the 2026 budget to reflect additional revenue for the sheriff’s division for payroll and benefits from Fiscal Year 2023 JAG Drug Task Force funding. That bill also passed first reading and moved to perfection with unanimous support.

The council gave final approval to Bill No. 26-05139, a budget amendment for the Juvenile Office Division to receive additional grant funds for alternatives to detention for short term shelter care.

Bill No. 26-05140, which establishes compensation for the Board of Building Appeals, also received final approval.

Bill No. 26-05141, which updates compensation language for the Board of Equalization, passed as well. During discussion, council members clarified that the language was being adjusted to reflect the existing payment amount.

The council also approved Bill No. 26-05142, a budget amendment involving the transfer of budget funds between the general revenue reserve account and the general revenue reserve revenue account.

During his report, the County Executive noted that another item, PB26-0008, had been expected on the agenda but was left off because of staff emergencies. He said that item is expected to come back at the next meeting.

He also encouraged residents looking for work to consider open positions with Jefferson County, saying the county has a number of job opportunities and an online application process available through its website.

Road safety was another focus of the report. The County Executive said public works activity is taking place across several council districts, including resurfacing, shoulder widening and restriping work. He urged drivers to use caution, especially along I 55, where he said work is progressing but some areas remain congested and difficult to navigate.

The County Executive also highlighted sales tax numbers, saying regular sales tax revenue remains ahead of the previous year but by a smaller margin than he has typically seen. He said the county was about forty thousand dollars ahead of the same month to date total from the prior year, calling sales tax a useful barometer even if it does not tell the full story of the local economy.

Council members also used the beginning of the meeting to recognize community events and updates across the county.

Councilman Brian Haskins thanked the parks department after an all class reunion for the Northwest School District was held at a county park. He said the event drew alumni going back to the first senior class in 1957 and said attendees appreciated the park, though he noted that bathrooms closed earlier than expected.

Councilman Crow called it a marvelous weekend in Jefferson County, mentioning coffee at The Boulevard and a visit to the Kimmswick Strawberry Festival.

Councilman Charles Groeteke said he had the honor of presenting Frank Kudlick with a county proclamation for nearly fifty years of service to the Rock Township Ambulance Board. He also said the Strawberry Festival went smoothly and reminded residents that the Missouri Route 61 and 67 corridor study remains open for public comment.

Groeteke also noted the Missouri Elks Flag Day celebration planned for June 13 at 1515 Miller Road in Imperial and reminded residents that World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15.

Councilman Phil Bennett said the splash pad at Kreig’s Park is open and reminded residents that the Festus Firecracker Festival is scheduled for the weekend of June 27.

Councilman Tim Brown mentioned a fire at The Dog House on De Soto Main Street and praised another local business, The Dirty Cowboy, for planning an event to help support the affected restaurant.

Councilman Bob Tullock reminded residents about the Hillsboro Rodeo at the fairgrounds and said he had met with business entities interested in doing business in District Seven.

There were no public comments, no public hearings and no closed session. The council adjourned after completing its regular agenda.