Sedalia’s City Council voted unanimously last week to expand the city’s redevelopment corporation into their historic downtown district.

The council vote Jan. 21 came after confusion over the nature of the Sedalia Redevelopment Corporation, which operates under Chapter 353 of Missouri State Statutes. Mayor Andrew Dawson says the city is hoping to help residents take advantage of tax breaks provided by state law through the corporation, and added disappointment that critics were misrepresenting the program.

A vote had been scheduled in mid-December following a public hearing, but questions over the availability of tax abatements for property owners delayed the vote until city attorney Joe Lauber could deliver a presentation about the program. Still, a number of residents voiced disapproval as Second Ward Councilman Chris Marshall cast his vote remotely to support the measure. Marshall, along with Mayor Dawson and Fourth Ward Councilwoman Rhiannon Foster, sit on the corporation’s five-member board. At least two residents at the meeting called on Marshall and Foster to abstain, suggesting a conflict of interest. Dawson says the corporation requires representation from the council and Sedalia School District.

Also at last week’s meeting, the Sedalia City Council approved budget amendments to add $65,977.99 to the public works department and $27,876.64 for the police department to cover additional repair costs for their respective fleets. The council also agreed to change orders adjusting the deadlines for the storm drainage improvement project along Beacon Ave., and accepted the bid of $386,738 from TB Dozing and Excavating for replacement of a water main along S. Grand.