LIVE City Council Meeting - October 19, 2026

At its October 19, 2026 study session and regular meeting, the Cape Girardeau City Council heard a Parks and Recreation committee proposal to raise the restaurant tax from 1% to 2%, subject to voter approval, to finance recreation and tourism projects and provide support for city operations, including the airport. The proposal estimates $4.45 million in annual proceeds and a $35 million, 20-year bond for a soccer complex (estimated at $11.75 million) and a 92,000-square-foot Sportsplex expansion (estimated at $23 million); Capaha Field improvements would be phased as funding allows. The discussion also described a potential airport subsidy of about $1 million annually and funding for facility maintenance and operating costs. Council did not approve the tax proposal or ballot language; members discussed additional public and hotel-industry input, public sessions proposed for October 26–27, and a possible special council meeting before a potential April 2027 ballot.

The council’s agenda included Resolution 2690, authorizing an agreement with Musco Sports Lighting LLC for equipment and installation of LED lighting at Shawnee Park Sports Complex, and Resolution 2691, authorizing a performance-guarantee agreement with Hawthorne Real Estate LLC for Hawthorne Place subdivision improvements. The transcript lists these on the consent agenda but does not clearly capture a separate vote on them. Council did approve Bill 2695, a budget-appropriation measure; examples discussed included $126,000 for water-well repairs, $100,000 for water meters, and $170,000 in additional solid-waste disposal costs. No other major procurement award was clearly identified.