01/11/2026
COVERING WESTON: The Weston Board of Aldermen is expected to vote on the city’s budget at its regular January meeting scheduled for Monday.
The vote would finalize how the city plans to spend money in 2026. Missouri law requires cities to adopt a budget each year.
Aldermen have already held three budget meetings ahead of Monday’s vote. Meetings were held on November 25, December 16, and January 6.
The proposed budget includes $300,000 for asphalt milling and overlay for streets in 2026.
A list of streets planned for resurfacing has not yet been announced. However, an agenda item in the meeting lists bid packets for spring street work under new business. In 2025, the city resurfaced about 0.7 miles of streets at a cost of just over $153,000.
The budget also includes grants and expenses paid from the tourism tax fund, which has about $150,000 in cash carryover, according to budget documents. Two one-time grants are proposed for 2026: $15,000 for the Weston Historical Museum and $5,000 for the National Silk Art Museum. The funds are intended to help offset advertising costs and maintenance, according to a proposed resolution.
The Weston Chamber of Commerce is set to receive $500 per month in 2026, totaling $6,000, to help cover the cost of cleaning the Thomas Street restrooms. Those payments are in addition to the two-thirds share of tourism tax revenue the chamber receives under a contract with the city.
After the budget is approved, aldermen will consider a resolution authorizing the city clerk to distribute a combined $26,000 to the three organizations.
The budget also includes $18,000 for the Fourth of July. City leaders have said they want to expand the annual celebration in 2026 to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A committee will be formed to develop a plan for the celebration and how the funds will be used. Some of the money is expected to be donated to the Weston Masonic Lodge for fireworks.
The trash fund is also expected to have significant cash carryover. The mayor and aldermen plan to provide free trash service for residential and commercial accounts in February, meaning trash bills will show a $0 charge for that month. The bulky item dump will not be affected, and users will still be charged.
While aldermen have approved including the expense in the budget at prior meetings, they are expected to vote Monday on a resolution directing city staff not to charge for trash service in February.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 12, at Weston City Hall.
Two public hearings are scheduled before the meeting. A dangerous building hearing is set for 5:30 p.m. on the downtown Cafe building. A second hearing at 5:50 p.m. will address a special use exception permit for a proposed bed and breakfast at 210 Welt St. in Weston.
