The Higginsville Board of Aldermen voted to update several sections of the city’s ordinances following a court audit in January 2025.

Four different sections were amended during the board’s meeting on March 17. The first amendment made was regarding reports to the Board of Aldermen (Section 135.120). This bill was updated to require the Court Clerk to provide a monthly case load summary report to the Mayor and the board. The next ordinance amended dealt with the jailing of defendants (Section 135.200). The language of this ordinance was updated to better reference charges for confinement in the County jail to ensure compliance with the State Statute.

The board then repealed Section 135.250 of the ordinance, which covered Court Costs, and enacted a new section to be more aligned with the State Statute. The last ordinance the board amended was Section 135.270, which covers additional costs for alcohol and drug-related offenses.

City Administrator Jeanette Dobson did report that although the ordinances needed updating, the Higginsville Municipal Court had been operating within compliance of the State Statutes.

In other news, the board voted to spend up to $10,500 to purchase fireworks, with the agreement of the Higginsville Chamber of Commerce to reimburse the city on these funds. The board also approved an agreement with the Lion’s Club of Higginsville to design and conduct the city’s fireworks display this summer. The display is currently scheduled for July 3.