The Gerald Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Meet the Candidates Forum last Wednesday at the Knight of Columbus hall near Gerald. A larger than normal crowed attended to educate themselves on the ballot issues.

Last April, 17.5 percent of registered voters in the county cast a ballot in the Municipal Election. This year, Franklin County Clerk Tim Baker hopes to see that number increase.

Baker told The Republican that for the upcoming election his office has had to print 60 different ballot styles- — the most since he has been in office.

As in the past, voters will need to show a valid form of a Missouri photo ID. This could be in the form a driver’s license or a non-driver’s license. Passports and military IDs are also accepted as valid IDs.

Gerald voters in Wards 1 and 2 and Gerald out-of-town voters will all cast ballots at St. Gerald Catholic Church hall, 402 E. Fitzgerald. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Gerald residents will be voting for a mayor candidate for an unexpired one-year term. Incumbent Corey Novotney faces no competition in that race.

Ward 1 Alderman Rudy Via is seeking re-election for a two-year term. He is facing challenger Brad Landwehr.

Ward 2 Alderman Cary Parker is also seeking another two-year term and is running unopposed.

Ward 2 Alderman Dean Isgrigg is also running unopposed as he runs for a one-year unexpired term.

All three Gerald wards will be asked to choose school board candidates. Most in this area will be voting for three candidates for the Gasconade County R-2 School Board of Directors.

Voters will be instructed to choose three from the following five candidates: Glenn Ely, Jason Crowe, Racheal Mooney, Mitchell Henderson and Kaylynne Niederer. Ely and Crowe currently serve on the board.

Voters will also be asked to vote yes or no on the following question:

Shall Gasconade County R-II School District issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $14,916,000, estimated to result in no change to the District’s debt service property tax levy, for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, renovating, furnishing, and equipping school sites and facilities, including: construction of an addition at OHS to connect the main building to the Ag building, and provide additional classroom space for Band, Choir, and Drama programs; construction of a Multipurpose room at OHS; renovations to the weight room and locker rooms at OHS; renovate the small gym into an auditorium; upgrades to playground equipment at Owensville Elementary School; and expansion of the kitchen, and improvements to the front corridor at Gerald Elementary School?

If this question is approved, the District’s debt service property tax levy is estimated to remain unchanged at $0.67 per $100 of assessed valuation of real and personal property.

This question will require a 4/7th majority to pass. 

There are also two Franklin County propositions on the ballot. Both require a simple majority to pass and both ask for simply a yes or no vote. They are:

PROPOSITION T:

Shall the County of Franklin, Consistent with RSMo 137.1120, implement a tax credit program whereby the effective real property tax liability on an eligible taxpayer’s homestead shall not be increased above the liability incurred during the initial credit year, pursuant to the language of the enabling statute?

PROPOSITION 911:

Shall the County of Franklin, Missouri impose a local use tax at the same rate as the total local sales tax rate, provided that if the local sales tax rate is reduced or raised by voter approval, the local use tax rate shall also be reduced or raised by the same action?  Funding from this local use tax will be used to secure a stable funding source for the future of Franklin County’s 9-1-1 and emergency dispatch services.