Brian Cowles Joplin City Council

08/22/2026

My friend Matt invited me to come watch him play. I am sure glad that I did! Thank you to everyone who made this event happen! This is what community is about!

08/20/2026

The Brief

08/20/2026

Here is the agenda packet for Monday’s meeting. Read it, study it, and ask questions. You can find all agendas on the website, but I will post them for future meetings from now on.

AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2022-119, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, August 1, 2022, to adopt specific use standards for data centers.

08/20/2026

Budget planning is underway for the City of Joplin.

The City of Joplin has published its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027, and Joplin residents are invited to review the document and provide their input at the City Council’s upcoming public hearing on the budget. The public hearing is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m. It will be held in the City Council Chambers on the 5th floor of City Hall, 602 S. Main, Joplin.

The budget serves many purposes: It is a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications tool. It lays out the projects for the City’s fiscal year which runs from November 1 through October 31.

The City Manager’s Budget Message opens the Proposed Budget for FY 27, providing an overview of the projects and services proposed for the upcoming year. Read it here:

https://www.joplinmo.org/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/4031

The Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 is posted online at https://www.joplinmo.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/19430. It can also be viewed in the reference section of the Joplin Public Library, 1901 East 20th Street.

Joplin City Council’s Budget Work Sessions are set for September 22nd and 23rd, and citizens are encouraged to attend. Each session will begin at 5:45 p.m. and be held in Council Chambers. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments regarding the City budget at these work sessions.

In an effort to build trust, the City welcomes citizens to these meetings as part of a transparent and collaborative budget process. If unable to attend the meetings, they will be live-streamed on the City Council’s page on Joplin’s website. These sessions can also be viewed on the site after the meeting dates.

08/20/2026

Getting new décor for the holidays?
If you have gently used fall, Halloween, or Christmas decorations that you’re ready to part with, consider donating them to us!
We’re accepting donations Monday–Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Have a large item or multiple items that you’d like to donate? No problem! Give us a call to schedule a pickup, and we’ll work with you to get your donation to us.
Your donations can find a new home, keep useful items out of the landfill, and—most importantly—the proceeds from your donations stay right here in our city, helping support multiple services and programs.
So before you toss those decorations in the attic or garage, bring them to us—or let us come pick them up! Your gently used treasures can make a difference right here in our community.
Stop by and donate today, or call us to schedule a large-item pickup! 417'624-3836

08/19/2026

Tuttle has announced his plans to retire at the end of this year.

08/18/2026

In response to several calls and emails I have received from concerned citizens in our community, I decided to write this and explain where I stand. I have spent a lot of time thinking about what happened at last night’s city council meeting, and I have some serious concerns. For months, we worked on a data center ordinance designed to protect Joplin. We addressed water, power, noise, environmental protections, infrastructure, setbacks, and surrounding property owners. Then, at the last minute, a motion was made to double the residential setback from 300 feet to 600 feet. I believe this was a substantial change to the ordinance. Section 2.12 of the Joplin Charter specifically addresses an amendment that constitutes a “change in substance.” When that happens, the Charter requires the amended bill to remain on file with the city clerk for an additional week and another opportunity for a public hearing before final action. That raises a legitimate question about whether doubling this setback should have triggered that process. The amendment passed 5-4, and I voted no.

The vote on the data center ordinance was 5-4:

**Voted YES**

* Rob O’Brian
* Keenan Cortez
* Josh DeTar
* Eli Moran
* Chuck Copple

**Voted NO**

* Brian Cowles
* Mary Price
* Josh Bard
* Ryan Jackson

Since the meeting, I have even more questions. Why was an argument about setbacks made publicly earlier that same day so similar to the argument later made from the dais? Why were conversations about this issue taking place before the meeting involving individual council members and others while the full council was not part of those discussions? Why was such a substantial change made at the last minute when there is pending litigation against the city involving related issues? Why are council members now questioning their vote and whether they fully understood what they were voting for? Why did we double the setback from 300 feet to 600 feet without fully understanding what that could mean for the project? Why didn't we first determine whether this could hurt the city's ability to negotiate with the eventual end user, affect our position in pending litigation, or even cause the property owner to consider deannexation?

I have asked questions because I believe these are questions that need to be answered. The problem is, I am asking questions and I am not receiving answers. That is frustrating, especially when we are dealing with decisions that could have significant consequences for Joplin. After what I have learned since the vote, I have more questions today than I did last night, and I intend to keep asking until I get answers.

08/17/2026

🐾 Parr Hill Dog Park Temporarily Closed

Parr Hill Dog Park is temporarily closed while the Joplin Parks Maintenance Crew repairs the park gate.

The safety of all park visitors is our top priority, whether they walk on two legs or four. 🐶💙

We appreciate your patience and understanding as our team works to complete these repairs and look forward to welcoming you and your pups back soon.

📣 Stay tuned to this page for updates on the park's reopening.