In addition to races for city offices and school boards, the April 7 Municipal Election includes bond issues for the Seneca and Neosho school districts, a levy proposal for the Washburn Fire Protection District and bond election for Public Water Supply District No. 1.
Seneca's bond proposal calls for no increase of its property tax levy to raise a total of $4.5 million. The bond will be repaid by extending the district's 85-cent per $100 of assessed valuation debt service levy.
The district is seeking revenue to build a tornado proof room, which is partially funded through a grant form FEMA, and make other improvements in the district.
Neosho is again trying to pass a bond to build a new junior high school. The bond would raise $24 million and result in an increase of the district's levy of 24-cent per $100 assessed valuation.
The Washburn Fire Protection District is asking residents of the district to approve a 30-cent per $100 of assessed valuation to support the fire department.
Washburn is seeking to become the third area fire district supported by a tax levy, behind Goodman and Wheaton.
PWSD No. 1 is asking for approval of $5.5 million in bonds to extend and improve the water system.
The district has some water lines that have been in the ground since 1979 and are in desperate need of upgrade to deal with water loss issues and to be compliant with Missouri DNR.
The district intends to apply to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Missouri DNR -- State Revolving Loan Fund Program (as well as other funding sources that maybe available) to lessen the financial burden of the district.
The bonds will not affect property taxes in any way. Revenue to retire the bonds will be generated from user rates. At the present time, officials with the district said they do not see the need to adjust water rates.
Adjustment to water rates will be necessary only to the extent of if and when necessary to provide for proper maintenance and operations of the system as well as to meet all state and federal regulations. The district's goal is to provide reliable and safe drinking water by exploring the possibility of securing grant funds in order to keep water rates as low as possible.
Other ballot issues are not questions regarding the raising of revenue, but a choice of a city marshal versus a police chief system of police protection and the question of allowing cities and villages of under 1,000 people not to hold elections if there is not a race for any open position in those cities.
Pineville is seeking voter approval to switch from a city marshal system to a police chief. The main difference in the two is that a city marshal is an elected office and a police chief is appointed by the city council.
Lanagan and Ginger Blue voters will have the option to forego elections if they have no races in municipal elections.
School boards and water districts have that available to them now due to the passage of previous state statutes. All three of the public water districts in McDonald County will not require elections for board members as neither will Wheaton, Southwest (Washburn) Neosho school districts, along with Crowder College.
The Wheaton Fire Protection District is also not required to hold an election this year.
See more election coverage in next week's McDonald County Press.
General News on 03/19/2015