Council recognizes local volunteer, hears pageant report and approves downtown consultant

Lebanon, Mo. — The council opened the meeting with community recognition and presentations before moving to business. A representative outlined Lebanon’s designation as a JustServe city and introduced the initial JustServe Hero Award nominees.

Becky Atmeyer, director of the Miss Merry Christmas pageant, and Samantha Richardson, Miss Merry Christmas 2025, reported on the pageant’s finances and scholarship awards. Atmeyer said the event started the year with a zero balance but ended with $8,201.47 after sponsorships, admissions and entry fees; she said the committee plans to reconvene in March to expand scholarships.

The council also approved a consultant agreement with LaGina Fitzpatrick (doing business as Elite Hospitality and Sports Services LLC) to serve as a downtown business district liaison. The one-year agreement (with up to two one-year renewals) has compensation not to exceed $75,000 annually of which staff said $60,000 would be city-funded and $15,000 contingent on downtown board approval. Fitzpatrick told the council she has a background in nonprofits, event planning, marketing and grant writing and looks forward to working with the city and downtown partners.

What happens next: the downtown consultant contract will be finalized and Fitzpatrick and the downtown board will coordinate office location and services; the pageant committee plans to meet in March and pursue scholarship growth.