RAYMORE, MO – Raymore Mayor Kristofer Turnbow presented his 2026 State of the City Address at the Raymore City Council meeting May 11, 2026. Click here to view the address on the City's YouTube channel.

Good evening.

I am so honored to be here to serve our residents as Raymore’s mayor and to be sharing my eleventh annual State of the City address with you.

Over the past year, our City has moved forward the way it does best, with purpose, discipline and a clear vision for the future. Much of that direction has been driven by our recently adopted comprehensive plan, which was shaped by meaningful citizen input and the collaborative work of our staff and the elected leaders who care deeply about where Raymore is headed. It has helped establish a thoughtful roadmap for responsible growth and long-term success. The progress we’re seeing today is not accidental–it is the result of that planning, strong partnerships and a community that believes in where we’re going.

We’ve seen meaningful momentum in economic development and the numbers back it up. The Raymore Commerce Center continues to expand and new investment is taking root throughout our community. Nuuly is growing its operation to one million square feet, bringing 1,800 more jobs to the city over the next few years. And this week, we’re proud to celebrate the ribbon cutting for Church & Dwight at the Commerce Center. 

But economic development isn’t just about large-scale projects. We’ve been equally encouraged by the growth among our small business community–from Ate1Six BBQ and Leap Kids Dental to most recently, Nervology Chiropractic and Neurodevelopment. Beyond new arrivals, we’ve also seen existing businesses like the Quilted Cow expand their operations and reinvest right here in our city. And that vote of confidence means everything.

These additions are not just buildings–they represent jobs, services and amenities our residents have long asked for. By responsibly using tools available to us, we’ve been able to encourage high-quality development while protecting the interests of our taxpayers. At the same time, we’ve remained focused on expanding our residential base in a strategic way–because we know that rooftops drive retail, and retail means more places to shop, dine and spend an evening right here in Raymore. That’s something our residents have wanted for a long time, and we’re delivering on it.

And just as importantly, we want to send a clear message to the development community: we are open for business. We are committed to being a partner that values transparency, low-risk, predictability and collaboration. For those looking to invest, build and grow, we want this city to stand out as a place where good projects can succeed. We will continue to take a thoughtful, common-sense approach to development–one that respects our community while recognizing that responsible growth is essential to long-term success. The opportunities here are real, and we welcome those who share our vision to be part of what comes next. 

Infrastructure has remained a top priority. We have continued to invest in our roads, utilities and long-term planning to ensure that growth is not only happening, but happening the right way. This year, that commitment is reflected in real, tangible progress: 

• long-anticipated improvements to Kurzweil Road are now moving forward and finally on the schedule;

• a phased approach to enhancing 58 Highway is taking shape to address current needs while planning for future growth; 

• targeted traffic control measures are being implemented in the Dean Avenue business district to support both safety and accessibility; 

• The annual street preservation project includes more than two dozen residential streets and work began today to mill and overlay North Madison Street;

• And in our partnership with MoDOT, important safety improvements are being advanced at key intersections along J Highway. 

These are not always the most visible projects, but they are some of the most important. They lay the groundwork for everything else we want to achieve.

Raymore’s park system continues to be a point of pride for our community, offering something for everyone—from our all-inclusive playground that ensures every child can play, to our beautiful amphitheater that brings people together for shared experiences. This summer, we’re also pleased to once again host the Farmers Market at T.B. Hanna Station beginning Tuesday, June 9, further strengthening our connection to local vendors and community gathering.

As we look forward, we are especially excited to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary with an All-American 250 series of events, running from June 25 through July 4. These events will showcase the spirit, pride, and unity that define Raymore. We warmly welcome not only our residents, but also visitors from across the metropolitan area–especially those traveling here for the World Cup–to join us in celebrating everything that makes our community special.

Public safety continues to be a cornerstone of our success. Alongside our great partnership with South Metro, we have remained committed to ensuring our police have the resources, staffing and support that they need to serve our community at the highest level. Because of that commitment, our residents continue to enjoy a safe environment and strong emergency response services. And as we look ahead, we must also plan for the future. In the coming year, it is my hope that we take the next step in supporting our growing community by advancing a general obligation bond initiative that would allow us to invest in a modern public safety facility–one that is designed not just for today’s needs, but for the continued growth of our police department. This investment would provide the space, technology and amenities necessary for a professional team to expand their capabilities and would allow us to show up for our residents at the level they deserve, every single day.

We have also maintained a strong focus on fiscal responsibility, which has been recognized at the national level. This year, the City received two prestigious finance awards for the 22nd and 15th consecutive years respectively. These aren’t participation trophies. They reflect the high standards, exceptional skill and quiet dedication of a team that takes responsible stewardship of public dollars seriously, year in and year out.

Through disciplined budgeting and careful financial management, we have positioned our city to grow without placing unnecessary burdens on our residents. Growth is working for us–not against us–and again, that is by design.

The quality of life in our community continues to improve, and that’s something worth celebrating. Investments in parks, trails and community events aren’t just line items on a budget. These investments say something about who we are and what we value as a community. They strengthen the sense of connection and pride that makes this city such a special place to live. These are the things that turn a growing city into a thriving one. These are the things that connect us to one another, that build something larger than any one neighborhood or development. This is how a city becomes more than a place to live–it becomes a community worth belonging to.

Over the last decade, I have had a front row seat in seeing this city evolve in a thoughtful and intentional way into a place that is vibrant, competitive and full of opportunity. But through all of it, what’s never changed is the heart of this community. Raymore is still the kind of place people are proud to call home, and that’s not by chance. It’s the result of people who care deeply about getting it right.

The state of our city is strong. Our foundation is solid, our momentum is real and our community is as committed as ever. But we must be clear-eyed about what lies ahead. Decisions being made at the state level will have impacts on the resources we depend on to provide services and serve this community. We will face these challenges the same way we’ve faced every other challenge–together, and with Raymore’s best interests leading the way.

The road ahead requires more than just careful planning; it requires the collective spirit of every resident, every business owner and every family that calls Raymore home. To make that engagement easier and more direct, we are excited to introduce our new citizen input tool, FlashVote. I urge every resident to sign up today, engage with the critical issues and provide input on the important matters shaping our community. Now is the time to lean in, to engage with our vision and to contribute your unique voice to the story we are writing together. Let us not just witness the future of Raymore–let us build it. Let us move forward with an unwavering belief in what we can achieve when we stand united. Together, we will ensure that Raymore remains a beacon of opportunity and a community of excellence for generations to come. The future is ours to create–let’s go to work!

Thank you.