With primary over, local issues coming to the fore
From left: Josh McKim, Rob Sparks, and Renee Riedel
Nodaway County voters may have just finished performing their civic duty at the polls during the March presidential preference primary, but a second — and in terms of local impact — far more important election is just around the corner.
Races for a number of school board and town council seats will be decided in the April 5 municipal election. Voters will also make their will known on several tax questions, including two City of Maryville sales tax proposals that, one way or the other, will significantly affect the future of Mozingo Lake Recreation Park.
But though Maryville voters have decisions to make, for the first time in several election cycles those choices won’t include contested races for either the Maryville City Council or Maryville R-II School Board.
Mayor Renee Riedel is unopposed in her bid for a second full term on the council and holds the sole expiring seat on the five-member governing board.
Though Riedel is certain to be elected, barring some unforeseen circumstance, she has already said she will not seek a third one-year term as mayor, a position bestowed annually by the council members themselves.
In Maryville, the office of mayor carries no special authority other than at-large council membership, ceremonial duties, and the ability to have some control over the twice-monthly meeting agenda.
As for the Maryville R-II Board of Education, member Rob Sparks, a local insurance agent, will presumably be elected to a second term as one of two people seeking two open seats.
Sparks is joined on the ballot by first-time candidate Josh McKim, executive director of Nodaway County Economic Development.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Lt. Shane Sims, who like Sparks is approaching the end of a regular three-year term on the R-II board, has moved from the district.
As for the Mozingo sales tax proposals, voters will be asked to renew an existing half-cent levy for 20 years with revenues earmarked for park maintenance, operations, and development.
Already approved twice by voters since the park opened in the mid-1990s, the levy brings in a little less than $1 million a year, or about half of the 3,000-acre park’s total budget.
City officials maintain that rejection of the levy will likely mean higher user fees at the park for golfers, boaters, RV enthusiasts, rental cabin patrons, and other park visitors.
The levy’s defeat could also mean that planned future developments, such as expansion and improvement of existing RV facilities, would be curtailed.
The second sales tax question asks citizens to vote yes or no with regard to a proposed one-eighth-cent on the dollar levy, also for 20 years, that would finance a new $4 million conference center and golf course clubhouse.
Should the eighth-of-a-cent tax be approved, the city would proceed with construction of the center this year in conjunction with a privately developed 40-room hotel planned by Boulders Inn & Suites of Denison, Iowa, and a local investment group.
City Manager Greg McDanel has said development of the privately financed hotel, which carries no cost to taxpayers either for construction or operation, is to continue regardless of whether voters opt for the conference center tax.
Other contested elections and tax proposals to be decided by voters elsewhere in Nodaway County include:
• City of Hopkins North Ward alderman, two-year term, vote for one, Kyle Hansen and Kelly Morrison.
• City of Hopkins South Ward alderman, two-year term, vote for one, Mike Stump and Allan Thompson.
• City of Hopkins, question: shall the city renew its general tax levy of 20 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for four years.
• City of Elmo mayor, two-year term, vote for one, D. Wayne Cruth and R. Bobby Smith.
• City of Elmo councilperson, two-year term, vote for two, Skyler McGinness, Daniel Payton, and R. Zeke Smith.
• City of Skidmore East Ward alderman, vote for one, Tracy Shewey and Rick Allen.
• City of Pickering, question: shall the city authorize a tax levy of $1 per $100 of assessed valuation for street maintenance over a period of three years.
• Atchison Township, question: shall the township issue $180,000 in bonds for the purpose of road maintenance and the purchase of equipment.
• Jackson Township, question: shall the township issue $150,000 in bonds for the purpose of road maintenance and the purchase of equipment.
• Monroe Township, question: shall the township issue $100,000 in bonds for the purpose of road maintenance and the purchase of equipment.
• West Nodaway R-I School Board, vote for two, Jason Hull, Amanda Walker, and Ryan Fast.
• Jefferson C-123 School District, proposition: shall the district issue bonds in the amount of $1.53 million for construction of a new gymnasium. Approval would increase the district’s debt-service tax levy from $0.00 to $0.75 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
• South Nodaway R-IV School Board, vote for two, David Klamm, Debbie Bennett, Coby Wiederholt, and Carrie Henggeler.
• North Nodaway R-VI School Board, vote for two, Jerome Bix, Jason Larson, Jeremy Calfee, and Kane Oberhauser.
• Worth County R-III School Board, vote for two, Martha Marti Myers, Rodney Brown, and Leslie (Les) New.
• Worth County R-III School District, question: shall the district issue bonds in the amount of $500,000 for the purpose of safety and security improvements to the parking lot and elementary school playground; repair and replacement of the gymnasium floor and bleachers; and for the remodeling and repair of other district facilities.
Should the measure pass, it is estimated the district debt-service levy will remain unchanged at 25 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
