Brian Cowles Joplin City Council

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day, Joplin! 🇺🇸

One of the things I appreciate most about Joplin is the hardworking people who call this community home. From our local businesses and schools to our police officers, firefighters, healthcare workers, and city employees—you help keep Joplin moving forward every day.

I’m proud to call Joplin home and honored to serve this community.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

09/06/2026

I encourage everyone to get involved and participate in your local government. Feel free to message me with your questions, concerns, ideas, or input, and I encourage you to attend our City Council meetings. We are all in this together.

A few highlights from Tuesday’s City Council agenda:

🏠 Housing & Development – A public hearing will be held on a proposed row house development near Wildwood Ranch Parkway and John Duffy Drive. We will also discuss the Joplin Residential Infill Development Initiative, focused on encouraging new housing and development within our existing neighborhoods.

🚍 Public Transportation – We will receive a presentation on MO HealthNet non-emergency medical transportation and consider state operating assistance for MAPS and the Sunshine Lamp Trolley.

🚧 Infrastructure – Council will consider approximately $4.67 million in sewer infrastructure projects, including the Tin Cup Parallel Force Main and Crane Drive Interceptor Sewer improvements.

💼 Business & Development Fees – Proposed changes to certain business license fees and street, sidewalk, plan review, and permit fees will receive their first reading.

🎪 Tourism & Community Events – Council will consider FY2027 CVB funding for a number of festivals, sporting events, tourism programs, and community events throughout the area.

🎨 Community Art – Council will consider creating an ad-hoc Community Art Commission.

🏘️ Residential Infill – We will discuss ways to encourage more residential development within Joplin and address barriers to building and investing in our existing neighborhoods.

The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, at Joplin City Hall, 602 S. Main Street, 5th Floor Council Chambers.

I encourage you to take a look at the agenda, reach out with your thoughts, and get involved. Your input matters, and I’m always willing to listen.

We are all in this together.

A RESOLUTION granting a Special Use Permit (1st Request) for Row Houses, for property located at the Southwest corner of Wildwood Ranch Parkway and John Duffy Dr, City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

Reminder: Schools are closed on Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Enjoy your long weekend, Eagles! 🦅

09/06/2026

📢 City Holiday Closure – Labor Day
🗓 Monday, September 7

In observance of Labor Day, City facilities will be closed.

Closed:

City Hall, Recycling Center, Trolley & MAPS, and Joplin History & Mineral Museum

Always Open / Essential Services:
🚓 Police Department
🚒 Fire Department
✈️ Airport
🦺 Wastewater Division

🕘 Facilities will reopen: Tuesday, September 8

ℹ️ Have questions or need details in the meantime? Visit us at: http://www.joplinmo.org

09/06/2026

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Alla Barry, a beloved professor of biology at Missouri Southern State University. Dr. Barry passed away following a tragic boating accident.

Dr. Barry leaves a lasting impact on the lives of the countless Missouri Southern State University students who she taught, mentored and inspired. Her commitment to her students and meaningful contributions to the university will be part of her tremendous legacy. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues, students and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Counseling services are available to students who may be struggling with this loss. Support is available in Billingsly Student Center, Room 347, or by calling 417-625-9559. During this difficult time, faculty and staff may reach out to Director of Human Resources, Derek Collier, for support and available employee resources.

09/06/2026

Budget planning is underway for the City of Joplin.

The City of Joplin has published its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027, and Joplin residents are invited to review the document and provide their input at the City Council’s upcoming public hearing on the budget. The public hearing is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m. It will be held in the City Council Chambers on the 5th floor of City Hall, 602 S. Main, Joplin.

The budget serves many purposes: It is a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications tool. It lays out the projects for the City’s fiscal year which runs from November 1 through October 31.

The City Manager’s Budget Message opens the Proposed Budget for FY 27, providing an overview of the projects and services proposed for the upcoming year. Read it here:

https://www.joplinmo.org/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/4031

The Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 is posted online at https://www.joplinmo.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/19430. It can also be viewed in the reference section of the Joplin Public Library, 1901 East 20th Street.

Joplin City Council’s Budget Work Sessions are set for September 22nd and 23rd, and citizens are encouraged to attend. Each session will begin at 5:45 p.m. and be held in Council Chambers. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments regarding the City budget at these work sessions.

In an effort to build trust, the City welcomes citizens to these meetings as part of a transparent and collaborative budget process. If unable to attend the meetings, they will be live-streamed on the City Council’s page on Joplin’s website. These sessions can also be viewed on the site after the meeting dates.

08/22/2026

My friend Matt invited me to come watch him play. I am sure glad that I did! Thank you to everyone who made this event happen! This is what community is about!