Ballot Question Seeks To Simplify Municipal Elections In Kimberling City
February 14, 2019
Isaac Estes-Jones
When Kimberling City voters head to the polls on April 2, they will decide on a measure the city says will help save money in future elections.
Missouri law allows cities to ask voters for permission to not hold municipal elections when the number of eligible people running for a position is equal to the number of seats open. For example, if there are two seats open on the board of aldermen, one in Ward I and one in Ward II, and one person in each ward signs up for each seat, the city would not have to hold the election, potentially saving the city thousands of dollars.
“Every time we hold an election, the city has to pay to administer the election,” said Jerry Harman, City Administrator for Kimberling City.
Several other cities in the region have passed similar measures, including Galena.
“When I brought this to the aldermen,” Harman said, “They felt the city didn’t need to spend the money and that it was a waste of resources.”
Other changes at the city level include a new ordinance on citizen presentations at board meetings.
At the February 5 meeting, the council had a second reading of a bill that changes the rules for presentations to the board and the public comments period the city has at the beginning of each meeting.
“The Chief of Police and Deputy City Clerk attended the Missouri Municipal League recently. During that meeting, the League suggested that kind of language for cities because of the Sunshine Law and other events,” Harman said.
The language of the ordinance clarifies that citizens seeking to present to the city council have to make a written request to be placed on the agenda. It also specifies that public comments at the beginning of the meetings are limited to three minutes per speaker, barring an extension of that time being granted by the board. It also says speakers must comport themselves in a professional, respectful manner.
“This is really just to protect the city and the sanctity of the meeting,” Harman said. The ordinance was not created or enacted to prevent citizens from letting the city board know their questions and concerns.
Harman also reported that the City is making progress on its plans to build a park in the city and install new city signs.
With regards to the signs, Harman said, “We have all of the contracts signed. We’re just waiting for the final signature and okay from the highway commission. Hoepfully we will have them installed this spring.”
The city is also working with CFS Engineers on a plan for the park. Kimberling City received a grant from KaBOOM! late last year to build a small park on Lakeshore Drive.
The city is also in discussions with one of the approved vendors for park equipment. “I don’t know if they will be the one who finally works with the city,” Harman said, “But, they are one of the four vendors allowed by the grant.”
The park is scheduled to be completed by this fall.
Isaac Estes-Jones
When Kimberling City voters head to the polls on April 2, they will decide on a measure the city says will help save money in future elections.
Missouri law allows cities to ask voters for permission to not hold municipal elections when the number of eligible people running for a position is equal to the number of seats open. For example, if there are two seats open on the board of aldermen, one in Ward I and one in Ward II, and one person in each ward signs up for each seat, the city would not have to hold the election, potentially saving the city thousands of dollars.
“Every time we hold an election, the city has to pay to administer the election,” said Jerry Harman, City Administrator for Kimberling City.
Several other cities in the region have passed similar measures, including Galena.
“When I brought this to the aldermen,” Harman said, “They felt the city didn’t need to spend the money and that it was a waste of resources.”
Other changes at the city level include a new ordinance on citizen presentations at board meetings.
At the February 5 meeting, the council had a second reading of a bill that changes the rules for presentations to the board and the public comments period the city has at the beginning of each meeting.
“The Chief of Police and Deputy City Clerk attended the Missouri Municipal League recently. During that meeting, the League suggested that kind of language for cities because of the Sunshine Law and other events,” Harman said.
The language of the ordinance clarifies that citizens seeking to present to the city council have to make a written request to be placed on the agenda. It also specifies that public comments at the beginning of the meetings are limited to three minutes per speaker, barring an extension of that time being granted by the board. It also says speakers must comport themselves in a professional, respectful manner.
“This is really just to protect the city and the sanctity of the meeting,” Harman said. The ordinance was not created or enacted to prevent citizens from letting the city board know their questions and concerns.
Harman also reported that the City is making progress on its plans to build a park in the city and install new city signs.
With regards to the signs, Harman said, “We have all of the contracts signed. We’re just waiting for the final signature and okay from the highway commission. Hoepfully we will have them installed this spring.”
The city is also working with CFS Engineers on a plan for the park. Kimberling City received a grant from KaBOOM! late last year to build a small park on Lakeshore Drive.
The city is also in discussions with one of the approved vendors for park equipment. “I don’t know if they will be the one who finally works with the city,” Harman said, “But, they are one of the four vendors allowed by the grant.”
The park is scheduled to be completed by this fall.