With the April 2 municipal election fast approaching, Johnson County Clerk Diane Thompson has some reminders via her social media for those still unaware of items on the ballot this year.
If you cannot attend your polling place on April 2, absentee voting will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at the Johnson County Courthouse, 300 N. Holden St. in downtown Warrensburg. Absentee voting ends at 5 p.m. Monday, April 1.
Polling locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 2. They are likely to be busiest in the morning between 6 and 8 a.m. and in the evening between 5 and 7 p.m. If you are in line at 7 p.m., you will be able to cast your vote.
Sample ballots are available in the Voter Registration office or by visiting the county website.
To prepare for Election Day, Thompson advised voters to visit www.jococourthouse.com or contact the Voter Registration office at 660-747-7414. She also advised voters to verify their voter registration address and polling location, especially if they have moved within Johnson County, view a sample ballot, and research candidates and issues.
Thompson noted that valid photo identification and weather-appropriate clothing are also necessities for voting, while items like clothing, signs, or other electioneering items in support or opposition of a candidate or issue on the ballot are not allowed.
The following contested candidates and issues will be on Johnson County ballots, although ballots will vary depending on where a voter lives.
Shall the City of Warrensburg, Missouri, be authorized to continue a sales tax of one-half of one percent (0.5%) for the purpose of funding capital improvements which may include the retirement of debt under previously authorized bonded indebtedness? This tax would be collected for a term of 20 years after its effective date, would be an extension of the current tax set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025, and would expire on Dec. 31, 2045.
Shall the City of Holden, Missouri, issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $900,000 for the purpose of acquiring a fire truck and other equipment, and acquiring, renovating, and improving municipal buildings, for public safety and emergency preparedness purposes?
Shall the Board of Education of the Holden R-III School District, Missouri, be authorized to increase the operating tax levy by $0.2204 to $3.7500 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation for the purposes of attracting and retaining quality certified teachers and support staff and meeting additional operating expenses?
If this proposition is approved, the adjusted operating tax levy of the District is estimated to increase by $0.2204 from $3.5296, currently, to $3.7500 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation for the 2024 Tax Year and can be applied to the assessed valuation for each year thereafter. The District intends to reduce the debt service levy by $0.2204 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation in order to offset the estimated $0.2204 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation increase to the operating levy if this Proposition is approved by the voters.
Shall the Board of Education of Knob Noster R-VIII School District of Johnson County, Missouri, be authorized to increase the operating tax levy ceiling to $4.7441 per $100 of assessed valuation according to the 2024 assessment for the purpose of constructing and operating a new Knob Noster High School Innovation Campus?
If this question is approved, the operating tax levy of the District is estimated to increase by $1.3000 per $100 of assessed valuation.
Kirk Walker, former councilman Scott Holmberg, Eva Norton and Suzy Latare are competing for one seat.
Incumbent Darlene Buckstead, Scott Ammon, and incumbent David Miller are competing for two seats.
Incumbent Drew Shanks, Matt Smith and Michael Russell are competing for two seats.
Incumbent Julie Getz and Guy Barwick are competing for the Ward 1 two-year term seat.
Jack Leary and incumbent Larry Miller are competing for the Ward 3 two-year term seat.
Incumbent Allen Mensch and Richard Pearson are competing for the Ward 4 two-year term seat.
Incumbent Georgia Jarman, Ann Cates, Robert Zimmer III, and Dillon Zavadil are competing for two seats.
Incumbent Perry Byerly and Derrick Liggett are competing for the Ward 1 seat.
Election results will be available at jococourthouse.com by county summary, which is updated during election night, or by precinct, which is posted after all results have been received. Election results will also be available at warrensburgstarjournal.com and in the April 5 edition of the Star-Journal.
