Council elections and Oronogo use tax are on April 8 ballots

The annual municipal election will be held Tuesday, April 8. You can see all Jasper County sample ballots on the county’s website.

There’s one contested race on the ballot in Webb City.

Third Ward incumbent Brad Baker is challenged by Fred Fletcher-Fierro. Baker has been serving by appointment since the Jonathan Shull resigned.

Other incumbents unopposed for reelection are: Andy Queen, 1st Ward; Gina Monson, 2nd Ward, and Debby Darby, 4th Ward.

A use tax is on the Oronogo ballot

The Oronogo Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance in November to place a use tax on the April 8 ballot.

If approved, it would collect 2% on most purchases made online – the same the city sales tax. A simple majority is needed for approval.

According to the ballot language, the use tax is a matter of fairness so that both local businesses and online businesses have to charge the same tax.

Although Mayor Charles Wilkins’ stated purpose in proposing the tax is to help fund the police department, the ordinance is written so that future board members will have the option to earmark the funds for other purposes.

Three Oronogo board incumbents are unopposed for reelection. They are: Rick Seely, 1st Ward; Michael Renburg, 2nd Ward, and Darrell Orender, 3rd Ward.

As of March 7, the board is short one board member because that’s when Jason Guild resigned from his 2nd Ward seat.

Carterville has two contested council seats and a write-in

Five council races are on Carterville’s ballot, including two that are contested and one that is open to write-ins.

Mike Dudley and Cody Franks are seeking the 3rd Ward two-year term. Franks is already on the council. While there are no candidates for the one-year unexpired term in the 3rd Ward.

Fourth Ward incumbent Brenda Cupp is challenged for her seat by David Peterson.

Incumbents Warren Myers (1st Ward), and Judy Martin (2nd Ward) are unopposed.