Hello neighbors,

With it being just six months since the election, I can’t believe how quickly time has passed! In such a short period of time, we have accomplished so much for our great City, and I want to take a moment to reflect on those achievements.

Major Milestones:

• Over Memorial Day weekend, we opened the new Blue Surf Bay Waterpark to great fanfare. We also took the opportunity to honor former Mayor Carson Ross for his years of service to the City by naming the facility the Carson Ross Community Recreation Complex.
• In August, the citizens approved the No Tax-Rate Increase for road projects throughout Blue Springs with a 74.6 percent favorable vote. Work on the first of these projects is set to begin after the new year.
• On August 7, we held a special ceremony recognizing Blue Springs as a Purple Heart City to honor those who were injured or killed while serving our country.
• In September, thanks to the efforts of our Parks & Recreation department, we hosted the Clean Up the Blue event to help beautify our parks and pick up litter throughout the City.
• As of October 1, we assumed responsibility for the City’s Animal Control program. This transition is part of our ongoing commitment to enhance public services and ensure the safety and well-being of both our residents and local animals.
• Soon, new businesses will be opening their doors in Blue Springs, including Dutch Bros. Coffee, McCallister’s Deli and Smalls Sliders.

While these are just a few highlights from the last six months, we are only getting started. There’s so much more on the horizon for Blue Springs!

What’s Next:

• On October 26, don’t miss the Parks & Recreation department’s annual Spooky Springs event at Young Park.
• Coming in December, get ready for a brand-new holiday event at Rotary Park called the North Pole Trail of Lights, including the Mayor's Christmas Tree.
• And looking ahead to 2025, we have even more exciting projects and developments in store for our community.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to make Blue Springs the best it can be. I am excited to see what we can achieve in the months and years to come!

Chris Lievsay

Mayor, Blue Springs, Mo.

City News

City Assumes Responsibility of Animal Control Program

The City of Blue Springs officially assumed responsibility for the Blue Springs Animal Control Program on October 1 with five Animal Control Officers. The City is committed to high-quality services, and our goal is to streamline operations, improve response times and provide more comprehensive care for the animals under our protection.

The City of Blue Springs Animal Control Program will continue to provide the same core services, including:

• Responding to reports of stray, injured or dangerous animals
• Enforcing animal-related ordinances
• Investigating animal cruelty cases
• Promoting pet adoptions and fostering opportunities, handled by Animal Control Officers

Animal Control Officers will, in collaboration with animal rescues, offer pet adoption and fostering services, helping to find loving homes for animals in need. They will be working to match pets with families and provide support to foster caregivers, ensuring animals receive proper care until a permanent home is found.

The City Welcomes Josh Alexander

as New Economic Development Manager

The City of Blue Springs announces the hiring of Josh Alexander as the new Economic Development Manager. In his role, Josh will be responsible for planning, designing and implementing economic development strategies, as well as acting as a key liaison between public and private sectors of the community, resulting in the attraction and retention of businesses that will provide a positive economic impact.

A 20-year Air Force veteran, Josh comes to Blue Springs from Sherwood, Arkansas, where he was the Community and Economic Development Director.

“Josh is a strong addition to the Economic Development team and will make an immediate impact upon his arrival,” said Mike Mallon, Senior Director, City Development. “With his extensive experience and background, Josh will be able to come to Blue Springs and quickly develop and nurture relationships with potential businesses wanting to establish a presence in the City.”

Josh holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Business Management from Liberty University and Associate degrees in Human Resources, Professional Aeronautics, Education and Airway Science. He is also a graduate of the University Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and the University of Central Arkansas’s Community Development Institute.

Bobby Hines named Blue Springs Citizen of the Year

Bobby Hines, General Manager of Sandy’s Restaurant in Blue Springs for more than a decade, was named the 2024 Blue Springs Citizen of the Year by the Truman Heartland Community Foundation. His contributions to the community go well beyond serving home-style meals. He is best known for his thoughtful philanthropy.

Mr. Hines is the Founder of the You Matter Movement, providing a wide range of resources for those struggling with mental health, addiction and homelessness. The movement also promotes empathy among the public, working to erase the stigma associated with these issues.

Mr. Hines is deeply involved in various community-focused activities, such as serving on the National Night Out Committee and the Blue Springs Fall Fun Fest Committee. He volunteers for Life Sports and Girls on Fire, provides thousands of summer lunches for local youth and educates high school students on issues surrounding mental health.

BSPD National Night Out

On October 1, the Blue Springs Police Department hosted its annual National Night Out.

The family-friendly event featured education about crime prevention, general public safety and the danger of drugs.

Additionally, the new Animal Control Officers were on hand to meet the public.

Special Election Road Project Update

The residents of Blue Springs overwhelmingly passed the No Tax-Rate Special Election Ballot Question for road projects on August 6 with a 74.6 percent favorable vote.

The bond issue provides $40 million for the purpose of acquiring rights of way, designing, constructing, extending and improving designated streets and roads throughout the city.

Stay tuned to social media, the City's website and the Spotlight on Blue Springs Newsletter for updates as work on these projects are set to begin after the first of the year.

Upcoming Events