Woodmansee and Taylor win School Board terms

It doesn’t happen very often, but there’s going to be a new member on the Webb City R-7 School Board.

Of three candidates for two open seats on the board, incumbent Jason Woodmansee easily received the most votes – 813. Fellow incumbent Lisa Robinson was defeated by Erin Taylor by just 25 votes – 630-605. (Results are not official yet.)

Woodmansee and Taylor will be sworn in to begin their three-year terms when the board meets Tuesday for its regular monthly meeting.

Another Carterville Council runoff election?

For the second year in a row, Carterville might have to hold a runoff election to decide a tie vote.

Devin Keeling and Darlene Taylor, the 1st Ward incumbent, both received 14 votes Tuesday.

City Administrator Will Cline said he will likely receive the official count by Monday. If it is still a tie, the two candidates could agree to settle the tie with a coin flip, or like last year, ask for a special election.

Council member Judy Miller (2nd Ward) was the incumbent a year ago when she and Teri Arterburn both received 31 votes in the general election. In the runoff election, Miller retained her seat by defeating Arterburn 51-39.

Former treasurer Linda Lacey to join Oronogo Council

Former Oronogo city treasurer Linda Lacey has won the open 1st Ward seat on the Board of Aldermen.

The council accepted her resignation as treasurer on Oct. 23, 2023, after she had served a total of 16 years. Her husband, Larry, previously served on the council for several terms.

Mayor Charles Wilkins was reelected without opposition, as were Jason Guild (2nd Ward) and Kim Francis (3rd Ward).

County use tax approved

Jasper County voters approved taxing online sales the same as local sales (3.75%). The vote was 5,150 yes and 3,288 no. The total 8,667 votes is 10% of the number of eligible voters in the county.

Carl Junction residents rejected their city’s proposed use tax. The vote was 558 to 561.

Carl Junction Schools and Joplin proposals win voter approval

The Carl Junction R-1 Board of Education’s proposed $18.5 million Proposition K.I.D.S. passed with 72.88% of the vote: 1,424-539. No tax increase is necessary to fund a variety of improvements.

Joplin’s 3/8-cent sales tax extension to fund capital improvements for the next 12 years received voter approval: 2,141 (59.6%)-1,391.