Joplin MO Officials Tally Up Tornado Costs
By: Brad Haller
Updated: August 16, 2011
(Jefferson City, MO) -- Joplin's finance director is asking for the state's help in making ends meet as the town continues to rebuild after the deadly tornado.
Leslie Jones says the city stands to lose 19 percent of its revenues due to the May 22 tornado.
Speaking to a Senate committee on Tuesday, Jones said recovery costs and lost revenue could amount to about a $17 million financial burden during the fiscal year.
"Most communities cannot maintain the same level of services and staff with an overall budget impact of 19 percent," Jones said. "Joplin respectfully requests any assistance from the state of Missouri to lessen this tremendous fiscal impact that faces our community."
Joplin school district CFO Paul Barr told the same committee that most of the school district's $150 million in losses would be covered by insurance.
Last week, Governor Nixon pledged $1.5 million to replace lost property tax revenue in the school district's budget.
Barr said the district will probably also ask for the state's help in a couple of years when the bill comes due for modular class rooms the district will be using while new permanent schools are built.
(Dick Aldrich, Missouri News Horizon)
