Groundbreaking held for Dog Park; ribbon cut at new playground

By Jessica Breger Special to the Monett Monthly

The city of Monett is continuing to move forward with plans to restructure city government.

In the regular council meeting April 9, the city again approved an ordinance posing the question, “Shall a Commission be chosen to frame a charter?” and a list of candidates running for the 13 seats as charter commission members be submitted.

The original proposal was canceled during the February 2026 meeting after failing to meet needed criteria. 

The goal was to place a 13 member charter commission, which would form the charter that would become the guide for Monett’s new government. 

When the matter was first presented during the council meeting in September 2025, Mayor Randy Burke said it means the city will operate under its own constitution “inside” the state constitution.

He said that a charter style government is afforded to cities with a minimum threshold of 5,000 residents and Monett has twice the population required. 

Council members discussed how the new charter government would afford more members on the council and more flexibility within the city government and allow more accurate representation for residents.

They had also noted that even the city’s own school board and planning and zoning commission has more representatives than the city government. 

During the first attempt, 25 applications were taken, only 14 were submitted. Of the 14 submitted, 2 applicants withdrew and one was denied due to insufficient signatures. 

The list of candidates for the commission is now set for placement on the next scheduled city election on April 6, 2027.

A second public vote officially changing the form of government and adopting the proposed charter created by the commission will still be required and would be slated for the following election ballot in April 2028, when the terms of the current city council members expire.  

Attorney Holly Dodge, with the Lauber Municipal Law firm, was present to explain the parameters of the commission and process of selection. 

She explained that by starting the process early this time around, residents will have time to make informed decisions about who will sit on the commission to form the charter. 

“Everyone has time to get things thought through, have meetings, explain what a charter is versus the other options that you guys have,” Dodge said to the council. 

She went on to say this will allow residents to get together and decide how they want to configure their government. 

Burke confirmed that while applications will not be submitted until September, those wanting to serve on the commission can solicit names for their positions to serve as soon as they would like. 

Dodge did say potential candidates would be responsible for making sure those who sign the positions will still be a resident and registered voter come time to submit the positions to the city in February 2027.

Burke said public meetings to explain the process would be held in September and next spring so candidates and voters can be well informed this time around. 

The city has had its focus on park development recently as residents begin to notice changes and additions to public spaces. 

A resolution authorizing the City Council to name city-owned property to Freedom Park for the purpose of downtown greenspace was passed at the meeting, creating a new park for Monett on the north side of Front Street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, just east of the city pavilion.

The area is already designated as a green space which cannot be built on. City Administrator Mickey Ary recommended making the property part of the city’s park system.

Council Member Ken Gaspar suggested the name officially become Monett Freedom Park, adding the city name to the original proposal. 

This would make the park consistent with other city parks and alleviate confusion for people searching online for the Freedom Silo or the park itself. 

The city also held a groundbreaking ceremony for the newly approved dog park on March 27 at 901 E. Broadway Street.

The City is partnering with Monett Main Street on this project and is currently working to complete infrastructure work, including running water and electrical, and constructing a pavilion on the property. The next step will be to turn the project over to Monett Main Street to construct a fence around the park.

On April 29 the city held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the new playground at Monett’s South Park.

This project represents a $106,770 investment in the city park system and was funded through the voter-approved park tax.

The new playground structure is situated near the tennis and pickleball courts, with two established parking lots nearby and will include Ecoturf surfacing at its base. 

The projects are all part of the city’s commitment to expanding green space and community spaces throughout the city. 

Regular City Council Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Monett City Annex located at 100 South Maple St., with video available on the city’s website the following day.