Southwest Missouri April 3 Election Issues

Interactive Election Day Results on OzarksFirst.com

List of Polling Locations in Greene County

The April 3, 2012 ballot in Greene County (sample ballot here) includes a countywide 1/8-cent public safety sales tax proposal for law enforcement, candidates for the OTC Board, plus candidates and/or issues in 8 cities, 8 school districts and 4 fire protection districts.

The money from the tax would also add five prosecutors, seven deputy juvenile officers, several other positions, support staff and equipment. Supporters of the tax say you won't notice a change in what you pay; it would phase in as another tax phases out.

Greene County Leaders Campaign for Public Safety Sales Tax

Voters in nine counties will pick two of three candidates for the Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) Board of Trustees for six-year terms. It's down to Greg Delong, Larry Snyder, and Larry C. Gates.

Four candidates are vying for three seats on the Springfield R-12 School Board: Bruce Renner (incumbent), Andy Hosmer (incumbent), David S. Awbrey, and Kristen T. Callen (incumbent). The three top candidates will serve three-year terms.

Four Candidates Certified For SPS School Board Election

There are also school district measures in Willard, Republic, Strafford, Logan-Rogersville, Marion C. Early RV Schools, and Pleasant Hope.

In Battlefield, Missouri, voters will see two different tax proposals: a one-half of one percent (.5%) sales tax for law enforcement and a property tax for the Battlefield Fire Protection District.

City of Battlefield Seeks Law Enforcement Tax

Battlefield Police Chief David Vallely says if the law enforcement tax passes, he'll use the money to add new officers. He says the city currently has five police offices for a population of about 5,500 people. That means there is one officer for about every 1,000 people. He says the city has had five officers on staff since 2005.

Battlefield Fire Chief Urges Voters to Approve Property Tax

Meanwhile, Fire Chief Bryan Newberry says the property tax would cost voters nothing in the end. He says the change would lower response times and make Battlefield more prepared for emergencies.

It would mean a homeowner with a $100,000 home would pay about $47 more a year. However, the district would try to get a better insurance rating, which would lower home owners insurance rates and may offset the tax.

The Battlefield Fire Protection District Proposition 1: "Shall the Board of directors of the Battlefield Fire Protection District be authorized to levy an additional tax of not more than 25 cents on the one hundred dollars assessed valuation to provide funds for the support of the district?"

In Christian County (sample ballots here), there are two major sales tax questions up for a vote:

Question 1: Shall the County of Christian, Missouri, continue to impose the existing county-wide law enforcement sales tax of one-fourth of one percent by extending such tax beyond the term authorized on April 4, 2000, for the purpose of providing law enforcement services for the County?

Question 2: Shall the County of Christian, Missouri, impose an additional county-wide sales tax of one-fourth of one percent for the purpose of providing funding for law enforcement related capital projects including acquiring land and constructing additions and improvements to the County Justice Facility and furnishing and equipping the same?

In Nixa, voters will vote for one of the following candidates for District II Council Member: Chris Russell, Christopher Souliere, or Karen Keever.

Voters in the Ozark Fire Protection District will be faced with Proposition A, which asks, "Shall the Board of Directors of the Ozark Fire Protection District be authorized by levy an additional tax of not more than twenty-five cents on the one hundred dollars assessed valuation to provide funds for the support of the district?"

The district says over the last five years, it has been working hard to keep pace with the rapid growth within its jurisdiction. To maintain its quality of service, it leased two new fire engines, expanded line personnel, administration, and support personnel without a tax increase.

And the Ozark R-VI School District has three candidates vying for a three-year school board terms: Aaron Johns (incumbent), David Horsey, and Patty (Quessenberry) Hamilton.