The purpose of this page is to provide Odessa residents with information and resources regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We will continue to update this page as the situation evolves.

•     Stay Home Order
•     Changes in City Operations
•     Announcements
•     Small Business Resources
•     Informative Links

Click on an image below to open the sign to download then print.

The Lafayette County Health Department Face Covering (Mask) Order for Lafayette County
Effective August 10, 2020, at 12:01 am through September 30, 2020.
Read the Order

Stay Home Order and Extensions

Mayor Adam Couch has proposed a 4-Step Recovery Plan in an effort to gradually and safely open Odessa back up with COVID-19.
 
Read Extension Order No. 02-2020 here.
 
 To further combat the spread of COVID-19 in Odessa, Mayor Adam Couch, under the authority of Ordinance 3008, has extended and modified the Stay Home Ordinance through May 3, 2020.
 
Read Extension Order No. 01-2020 here.
 
Read Extension FAQs here.
 
 The Mayor and Board of Aldermen have issued a Stay Home Order designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 within the City of Odessa and surrounding areas. It is effective at 12:01 am, Wednesday, March 25, 2020, and continues through 11:59 pm on Friday, April 24, 2020.
 
Read the full ordinance here.
 
Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here.

Changes in City Operations

Our goal is to continue to provide you with the best service possible during this time of uncharted events. To keep our citizens and staff healthy, the City of Odessa has made changes to our operations in an effort to reduce person-to-person interaction.
 
 Administrative Operational Modifications
 By order of Mayor Adam Couch, all City facilities will be closed to the general public effective March 17, 2020. Our City Hall staff will still be in the office or available in a remote capacity during normal business hours, Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. By taking such measures, it is our hope that we will limit our staff's potential exposure and to be able to sustain normal operations with only minor modifications, to continue to service our residents and customers during this time. City Hall can be reached by phone at 816-230-5577 or through our City Facebook page. In addition, we will use our automated phone messaging system as needed. We will have signage relaying this same information on the front door of City Hall. Through the end of May, all public City meetings have been cancelled or will be modified to be held virtually. Notices will be provided accordingly.
 
 Police Department Modifications
 Public Safety continues to be our number one priority. The Odessa Police Department is staffing each shift the same as we do during normal operations. In an effort to keep our officers healthy, we will work to limit their person to person contact on non-emergency issues that may arise. We may require police reports to be filed over the phone on incidents that are not an imminent threat to public safety. Until further notice, the front door of the Police Department will remain locked. Signage will be clearly posted on the front door of the Police Department indicating in the event of an emergency to call 911 and will further note to reach Police Department staff regarding a non-emergent issue by calling 816-633-7575. An assessment will be conducted on the nature of the request or need, and for extenuating circumstances only will anyone be allowed into the lobby of the Police Department. Again our goal is to minimize the potential health risks associated with our officers exposures to COVID-19 to keep the department fully staffed.
 
 Utility Information
 We recognize the importance in preventing COVID-19 involves regular and frequent hand washing and proper cleaning of surfaces. In response to this need, the City of Odessa will not assess penalties or disconnect any utilities through the month of May. We ask that you keep your payments current and communicate with us if circumstances arise where you may become delinquent on your account. In addition, with the closure of City Hall to the public, we will temporarily waive the credit card convenience fee on all payments until further notice. This will allow customers the option to pay over the phone or on our website by credit or debit card FREE of charge. This modification to our system operations should be effective by noon on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. If you are unable to make a credit/debit card payment, please use either of the two secure payment drop boxes that the City offers. One is located at the front of City Hall. The drive up drop box is in the alley behind City Hall.
 
 Outdoor Activities
 Keeping active, daily doses of fresh air, and some Vitamin D are essential in remaining healthy both physically and mentally during times of uncertainty. We are doing all that we can to aide in the efforts to "flatten the curve" of the novel Coronavirus COVID-19. While Dyer Park is still open, the public shelters, restrooms, basketball courts, and playground equipment are closed. The CDC reports that it may be possible for the virus to spread through contact with a contaminated surface. Please adhere to social distancing guidelines, keep six (6) feet from others while taking in a walk, bike ride, or other outdoor activities outside of your home/property to get the recommended thirty minutes of activity per day. Studies show that simply stretching and deep breathing (which can be done outside from your own backyard) can provide significant health benefits and lower blood pressure and stress.
 
 Parks and Recreation
 Our Parks and Rec office is also closed to the general public until further notice. Staff members will be in the office or available in a remote capacity by calling 816-633-8324 during business hours. Spring soccer season has been cancelled. Full refunds will be issued to all participants or they may use the credit toward another park and rec activity.

Announcements

7/13/2020
 The fee to use a credit/debit card for utility payments has been permanently waived. Also, fishing/boating permits for the reservoir have been waived through 2020.
 
 6/29/2020
 The fee to use a credit/debit card for utility payments is waived through August 31, 2020. Fishing/boating permits for the reservoir will also continue to be waived through the month of August.
 
 5/29/2020
 Through June 30, 2019 - Late fees are waived on utility payments. Utility disconnects are suspended. The fee to use a credit/debit card for utility payments is waived. Door-to-Door business licenses will not be issued. Fishing/boating permits for the reservoir are waived.
 
 4/21/2020
 The fee for any business license renewal from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, will be waived. All other rules and requirements still apply.
 
 4/21/2020
 The Mayor approved the following extensions. Late fees will be waived on utility payments through May 31, 2020. Utility disconnects are suspended through May 31, 2020. The convenience fee to use a credit/debit card for utility payments will be waived through May 31, 2020. "Door-to-Door" business licenses will not be issued through May 31, 2020. City fishing/boating permits for the reservoir will be waived through May 31, 2020.
 
 4/14/2020
 Odessa Municipal Court is cancelled for April 21, 2020. All cases scheduled for that docket, as well as the docket from March 17, 2020, will be continued to the next court date of Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at 1:30 pm.
 
 4/3/2020
 The Mayor ordered the suspension of all current "Door-to-Door" business licenses and placed a stay on the issuance of any further "Door-to-Door" business licenses through April 30, 2020.
 
 3/26/2020
 The Mayor has waived the required fishing and boating permits for the City Lake through April 30, 2020. All other rules and regulations still apply.
 
 3/25/2020
 The Mayor and the Board of Aldermen have issued a stay home order designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 within the City of Odessa and surrounding areas. It is effective 12:01 am, Wednesday, March 25, 2020, and continues through 11:59 pm on Friday, April 24, 2020.
 
 3/23/2020
 The Lafayette County Emergency Management Agency was notified by the Lafayette County Health Department of the county's first presumptive positive of COVID-19.
 
 3/19/2020
The storm shelter at the Community of Christ Church (515 S 1st St) will continue to be open at this time, but with COVID-19 recommendations, we are strongly encouraging you to make plans to shelter in a place that is not a public gathering space. Read the press release here.
 
 3/18/2020
All Missouri Municipal elections previously scheduled for April 7, 2020, have been postponed until June 2, 2020. Read the press release here.
 
 3/16/2020
 The Mayor puts a hold on all utilities disconnects, late fees, and credit card convenience fees through April.
 
 3/16/2020
 The Mayor declares a local emergency for the City of Odessa due to the Coronavirus (COVID-10) pandemic.
 
 3/13/2020
 Odessa Municipal Court is cancelled for March 17, 2020. All cases scheduled for that docket will be continued to the next court date of Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at 1:30.

Small Business Resources