Election ordinances going before council

Three ordinances pertaining to the upcoming April 7 municipal election will go before the Maryville City Council on Monday.

The first measure calls for the election of two new council members to three-year terms. Following this week’s filing deadline, records indicated that four candidates are seeking the open seats, including incumbent Jerry Riggs.

Also running for spots on the five-member board are Michael Baumli, Jason McDowell and Elizabeth Hawkins.

The other two ordinances formally declare the need for an election so that voters can decide whether to adopt a couple of proposed tax measures, including an increase in the Maryville Parks & Recreation property tax levy from 30 cents to 40 cents per $100 dollars of assessed valuation.

A similar measure calls for an election to decide whether to reorganize the Maryville Public Library as a countywide library system.

If passed, the proposal would impose a 15-cent per $100 of assessed valuation tax on all property owners in Nodaway County, a fraction less that what Maryville residents currently pay.

Only county residents living outside Maryville, who have never paid a library tax, will vote on the measure, which requires a simple majority for approval.

In the past, county residents have voluntarily paid $25 a year for a library card in lieu of a tax. However, that fee has been waived until the election in order to give citizens living in rural parts of the county a chance to experience what services the library has to offer.

Though Maryville citizens won’t vote on the issue, City Clerk Sheila Smail said the council has to agree to place the measure on the ballot because the outcome could potentially change the library’s governance and administration.

A fourth ordinance before the council next week would authorize Mayor Renee Riedel to execute an agreement with Fountain Park Partners LLC, which is seeking to develop commercial property at the southern end of South Main.

On Jan. 16, City Manager Greg McDanel confirmed that Wells Bank of Platte City has filed an application to construct a new facility at 2920 South Main Street directly across from Applebee’s restaurant.

McDanel said the new bank is expected to anchor a proposed 25-acre retail and residential development, and that the council would consider an agreement pertaining to public infrastructure during Monday’s regular session.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall.