Absentee voting begins today for the April 4 municipal elections, according to Callaway County Clerk Denise Hubbard.
Holts Summit and Lake Mykee Town residents have one issue on the ballot, and it's one that's been brewing for a long time. Residents will be voting about whether or not to consolidate.
"I am very hopeful that it will go through," said Holts Summit City Administrator Rick Hess. "I think Lake Mykee and Holts Summit will both vote for it, and once that's certified through the county, we can start the whole legal process of bringing Lake Mykee into the Holts Summit fold."
The consolidation process began when Lake Mykee's 350 or so residents realized they would never be able to afford a much-needed $1.5 million update to its sewage lagoon. Additionally, for years, Lake Mykee residents have had limited access to municipal services like law enforcement.
By joining with Holts Summit, residents would be able to access the city's services. Sewage could be processed in Jefferson City without additional fees to Lake Mykee residents.
In October, Holts Summit's aldermen and Lake Mykee's trustees voted to put the consolidation issue on the ballot for April. If a simple majority in both locations vote to consolidate, the process will move forward.
If one fails to get a majority vote for merging, the issue would have to be tabled until next year.
"If it doesn't go through, until such time as it does, their sewer bill will be 1 times what it usually is," Hess said.
Below is a complete list of individuals running for elected positions in Callaway County, including the non-contested races - that is, races where only one person is on the ballot.
Voters who need an absentee ballot can request one by mailing in a form found at bit.ly/2lniTNT or visiting the clerk's office at the County Courthouse in Fulton.
Candidates for the April 4 General Municipal Elections
City of Auxvasse
Mayor (uncontested)
Tom Henage
North Ward Alderman (uncontested)
Michael Bickel
South Ward Alderman (uncontested)
Terry Walker
City of Fulton
1st Ward Councilman (uncontested)
Wayne Chailland
2nd Ward Councilman (uncontested)
Jeff Stone
3rd Ward Councilman (uncontested)
Richard D. Vaughn
4th Ward Councilman (uncontested)
Rick Shiverdecker
City Attorney (uncontested)
Robert R. Sterner
Fulton School District
School board members
Emily Omohundro
Matthew "Matt" Gowin
Todd Gray
Ruth A. Burt
Alethea "Lea" Dzurick
Village of Kingdom City
Trustees (uncontested)
Randy Huges
Kenny McClure
Village of Lake Mykee
Trustees (uncontested)
Jay Clingman
Charles "Dusty" Klein
City of Mokane
Mayor
Thomas Shackelford
Danny Lamons
Aldermen (uncontested)
N. Lance Clingman
Devin Hoover
City of New Bloomfield
Mayor (uncontested)
Greg Rehagen
Alderman, Ward 1 (uncontested)
Bryan Manes
Alderman, Ward 1 (uncontested)
Gary Hoelscher
New Bloomfield School District
School board members
Deborah Cuno
Amy Reeder Pendleton
Craig Abbott
Jonathan Morningstar
South Callaway R-2 School District
School board members
Brent A. Woods
Stephanie Laney
Janice K. Howard
Penny Felkner