New members were appointed to the Mexico Parks Board and Tourism Commission. 

At the May 26 meeting, Mexico City Council members considered board appointments to the tourism commission and park board as well as requests for funding made by local organizations.

Mexico Tourism Commission board members are appointed by the city council — each member may serve no more than two consecutive terms. Terms for Mexico Tourism Commission members Kathy Lewis, Dana Keller and Rich Gold have expired. 

Lewis, whose term expired in September 2025, was the only member who was eligible for another term and City Manager Bruce Slagle said she expressed interest in reappointment. Council members unanimously approved Lewis’ reappointment for a term that will expire in 2028.

Keller and Gold are not eligible for reappointment. Gold’s term officially expired in September, 2023, leaving a vacancy for a term that will expire in September of this year. Keller’s term, which officially expired in 2024, leaves a vacancy for a term that will expire in September 2027. 

“We had no one who stepped forward to replace them, so they were eligible to serve until someone could replace them,” Slagle said. 

But recently, three applicants came forward — Nichole Mesko, Jason Young, and Chris Newbrough. 

Council Member Ron Ray opted to make the appointments based on the order applications that were received, making a motion to appoint Nichole Mesko to fill Gold’s seat and Jason Young to fill Keller’s seat. Council members approved the appointments unanimously.

Though their first terms are limited, Slagle said Mesko and Young will have the opportunity to serve two full terms themselves. He added that Keller and Gold will also have the opportunity to reapply to serve on the tourism commission in the future. 

Mexico Park Board members are appointed by the city manager and approved by council members. Terms for members Greg Sorenson, Sherri Chedwick and Josh Price expire this month, and all three expressed an interest in reappointment. A vacancy also opened up as Terry Henage resigned from his term, which expires in June 2028.  

Slagle reappointed the three incumbents as well as the sole applicant, Caitlyn “Kiki” Long and the city council concurred.  

Mexico city council members also awarded tourism funds for advertising to the Miss Missouri Scholarship Organization and the Mexico Young Farmers.

The Miss Missouri Scholarship Organization requested $10,000, and the tourism commission recommended the full amount. 

The Mexico Young Farmers made a $6,000 request for advertising funding for their annual truck and tractor pull, but the commission recommended $3,000 to city council. Vicki Dunke, City of Mexico finance director, said the Mexico Young Farmers have asked for more funding in the past, but the recommendation was based on how much has been awarded and spent over the past three years.

Both requests for funding were approved by the city council at the recommended amounts.