Voters decided several issues affecting communities throughout Cole County in Tuesday's municipal election.
Cole County Fire Protection District
Voters approved expanding the district board from three members to five members. This means there will be an election in April 2019 to select the two additional board members. The unofficial final vote, which includes totals in Cole, Osage and Miller counties, showed 490 "yes" votes and 101 "no" votes.
Donnie Braun announced his resignation as fire chief after 42 years, and board member and Assistant Chief Mike Rackers submitted his resignation from the board and district at the same time. Braun then was appointed to finish Rackers' term on the board, and Wayne Hammann was named fire chief.
After the new board members were in place, they decided to ask district patrons if they should increase their representation to five members.
The main function of the board is to ensure the district's money is managed properly. Each member serves a six-year term.
St. Martins aldermen
Two Board of Aldermen seats were up for election. Matthew Kearns won re-election in the North Ward with 47 votes, and Daryl Raithel won re-election in the South Ward with 13 votes. Neither had an opponent. Both offices have two-year terms.
Taos mayor, aldermen
Incumbent Anthony (Tony) Forck won re-election as mayor with 42 votes. The office carries a two-year term. He ran unopposed.
Seats for Ward 1 and Ward 2 aldermen also were up for a vote - but no one officially filed for those two-year terms, so write-in candidates will fill those positions.
In Ward 1, Paul Schofield, Chuck Wilson, Douglas Prenger and Tom Wieberg all received one vote. Cole County Clerk Steve Korsmeyer said they will have to decide who wants to accept the position.
In Ward 2, Matthew Forck received five votes, Ron Walker received two votes and Hayes Wright got one vote.
Wardsville trustees, use tax
Three seats were up for election on the Village of Wardsville Board of Trustees. Incumbents John Luebbering, 58 votes; Paul Stonner, 58 votes; and Brian Schrimpf, 61 votes, were unopposed and won re-election to two-year terms.
Also in Wardsville, residents voted down a use tax which town officials said essentially was attempting to tax internet sales. The unofficial total showed 49 "no" votes (59 percent) to 34 "yes" votes (40 percent)
Centertown trustees
Centertown voters filled two spots on the village's Board of Trustees. Paula Hinshaw, 31 votes, and Sherry K. Kempf, 27 votes, were the winners and will serve two-year terms. Susan Gilliam received 20 votes, and Darron Jones got 18.
St. Thomas sales tax
St. Thomas residents approved the city to continue collecting sales tax on titling of motor vehicles. Town officials noted this was not a new tax, as it has been around since 1989. It lets them continue to collect it on out-of-state motor vehicles purchased and titled in Cole County. The unofficial total showed 11 "yes" votes (73 percent) and four "no" votes (26 percent).
Russellville mayor, aldermen
The only two registered candidates for the Russellville Board of Aldermen were elected to office unopposed. Dana Frisby in the West Ward received 10 votes, and Matt Grayson in the East Ward got 13 votes.
Mayor Sharon Morgan won re-election unopposed with 23 votes.
See also:
Callaway County election results
Maries County election results
Miller County election results
Moniteau County election results