Letter from the Mayor: December 2025

December 3, 2025

Dear Nixa Community,

As we approach the end of 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on what an incredible year this has been for our city. The progress we’ve made together fills me with gratitude and pride for the community we continue to build.

Celebrating Our 2025 Accomplishments

This year marked several milestone achievements that will benefit our community for generations to come. Our Parks and Recreation Department achieved something special with the opening of the McCauley Park Splash Pad in May. This free public amenity has provided countless families with a wonderful place to cool off and make memories together during our hot summer months. The splash pad exemplifies our commitment to creating fun, accessible spaces for all residents.

In September, we celebrated our 4th Annual Multicultural Festival in downtown Nixa. The event has grown tremendously, and moving it downtown not only accommodated more visitors but also shone a spotlight on our wonderful local businesses. It’s truly rewarding to see our community come together to celebrate the diverse cultures that make Nixa special.

Also in September, we broke ground on our new Police Department headquarters on N. Leeann Drive. This 22,000-square-foot facility represents our ongoing commitment to public safety and will provide our officers with the modern space they need to continue keeping Nixa one of Missouri’s safest cities. This project was made possible by voters who approved the three-quarter-cent sales tax in 2023, and we remain grateful for your trust and support.

Behind the scenes, our Public Works team has been hard at work on critical infrastructure improvements. We’ve made significant progress on water, sewer, and electric system upgrades throughout the city. New lighting installations along Highway 14 are enhancing safety for both motorists and pedestrians, and the final phases of the Cherry Street stormwater project are helping resolve flooding concerns in that area. These infrastructure investments, along with our City Hall renovations, ensure that Nixa can continue to grow responsibly while maintaining the high quality of services our residents deserve.

As one of the fastest-growing cities in one of Missouri’s fastest-growing counties, we’ve remained focused on managing growth thoughtfully. We continue to prioritize infrastructure capacity and community input in all development decisions, always keeping the best interests of current residents at the forefront.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

None of these accomplishments would be possible without you—the citizens of Nixa. Your engagement, your input at council meetings, your support of community events, and your civic pride are what make Nixa such a remarkable place to call home. To our dedicated city staff and council members, thank you for your tireless commitment to serving our community with excellence.

Join Us This Holiday Season

As we enter this festive season, I invite you to celebrate with us at two wonderful community events:

Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 5th | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM | McCauley Park
Join us as we kick off the holiday season together! This free family-friendly event will feature festive performances, activities, and of course, the lighting of our community Christmas tree. It’s a beautiful tradition that brings neighbors together in the spirit of the season.

Nixa Christmas Parade: “Hometown Heroes”
Sunday, December 7th | 2:00 PM | Starting at The X Center
Don’t miss our 71st Annual Christmas Parade! This year’s theme celebrates the everyday heroes in our community. Thank you to Walmart for sponsoring this beloved tradition. Be sure to wave to Santa as he rides by on the Gateway Real Estate float!

As we close out 2025, I’m filled with optimism for the year ahead. Together, we will continue building on this foundation of progress, always striving to make Nixa an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a wonderful start to 2026.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year,

Mayor Jarad Giddens