Republic City Council green-lights 137-lot subdivision

New City Admin. Harris take reins at City of Republic
 
The Republic City Council annexed 105 acres of farmland into the city during the council’s Dec. 9 meeting. Council members gave the green light to a 137-lot subdivision. New city administrator Colten Harris had an opportunity to weigh in on projects underway in the city presently as he spoke at his first city council meeting.
Council members first approved annexation of 105 acres at 5740 W. Republic Road and related right-of-way. The property was part of the Rose Century Farms and would remain zoned agricultural, becoming part of Ward 1. The land is located east of the high school, south of West Republic Road, and east of S. Farm Road 107.
This major annexation follows a nearly 10-acre annexation running on the south side of W. Republic Road that came before the council in October. That property, owned by applicant David Tunnell, lies between the Rose Farms and Farm Road 107, connecting the farm to the city limits.
The Tunnell property, shaped like a long rectangle, runs along West Republic Road and a short distance to the south. In contrast, the Rose Farms property runs the same length as the Tunnel land along West Republic Road, but approximately three times that length to the south in two rectangular blocks. The second smaller block to the south is nearly three-quarters filled with trees.

Subdivision action
The major subdivision action involved the final plat for Phase 1 of the Prairie Ridge subdivision, located north of Hwy. 174 and south of Farm Road 178, a total of almost 40 acres. The plat calls for two sections, intersected by Kansas Avenue running north to south. The east half will have only one exit, onto Kansas Avenue. The entrance leads into a road that winds between houses on both sides in a more-or-less circular pattern, with three cul-de-sacs surrounded by angled lots. The west half, with bigger lots, has a serpentine street running through it, with houses on both sides, a cul-de-sac in the middle and connections to adjacent streets running to the south and the west.
Chris Tabor, principal planner for the city, said the subdivision’s preliminary plat was approved as part of the Prairie Ridge Planned Development District in July 2022. This final plat divided the land into 137 single family residential lots, with 6,572 linear feet of new streets and 7,223 linear feet of new sidewalks.
Council members asked no questions and approved the plan in both first and second readings in the same session.
The only other action came in a resolution changing names for those who could sign for additional funds through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ State Revolving Fund. Bob Ford, chief financial officer, explained the city began drawing on the fund to build the new wastewater treatment plant in June 2025, having taken two $25 million tranches. About $25 million remains available with about $25 million left in the project. Ford and Jake Jones, the city’s finance manager, were authorized to sign for the funds, having removed the name of former assistant Andrew Nelson. Ford expected to personally sign for the remaining funds.

New city administrator starts
Colten Harris, the city’s new city administrator, was sworn in by Clerk Laura Burbridge. Taking the oath was ceremonial, coming on Harris’s second day on the job. At the previous meeting, Mayor Eric Franklin commended Chief of Staff Lisa Addington for serving as acting city administrator for the interim months.
Reflecting on his future role, Harris said, “The big question is: what does the future look like? Right now, it’s an exciting time for Republic, and there’s a lot of momentum. I just want to say that we’ve also done a lot in 2025. I just look around – we have a new budget solution. We have the new software additions to make payroll better. Obviously, we have City Hall almost complete, which looks incredible. It’s just great.
“I want to thank staff, [for an] incredible job, [and] this council. There’s a lot to be proud of in 2025. There’s a lot on the horizon. That’s going to be great.”
Harris reported a mailing was going out Dec. 10, updating customers on the new utility billing system that goes live on Feb. 1. An annual report on city activities would be completed shortly. Staff began moving into the new city hall, adjacent to the BUILDS building, the week of the meeting. Harris anticipated an open house in early spring.
Franklin commended efforts in the Christmas on Main effort, the related parade, and contributions by the Kiwanis Club for the event. He noted he had been named secretary for the Ozark Transportation Organization, and would again participate in the Mayor’s Bellringing Challenge for the Salvation Army.
Upcoming scheduled meetings called for a Board of Adjustments meeting on Jan. 8, the Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 12, a full city council meeting on Jan. 20 with a work session on Jan. 27.
Filings for the April 7 city election opened on Dec. 9. Incumbent council members filed on the first day for re-election, including Justin Shaw in Ward 1, Darran Campbell in Ward 2, and Daniel Harter in Ward 4. Filing for the open Ward 3 seat was Justin Snider. Filing updates are available online at www.republicmo.com/1843/2026-Election.