New Bloomfield not holding local election in April

New Bloomfield City Hall (File photo)
New Bloomfield City Hall (File photo)

New Bloomfield will not hold a municipal election in April.

The mayor position and two Board of Aldermen positions were up for re-election this year, but no one filed to challenge the incumbents. Due to a 2015 ballot measure, the city is allowed to forgo municipal elections when the number of candidates who filed to run is equal to the number of positions up for election.

Candidate filing closed Jan. 21, with Mayor Terry Shaw, Ward 1 Alderman Gary Hoelscher and Ward 2 Alderman Rosemary Augustine all seeking re-election unopposed.

In December, the board voted to hold an election over a 1 percent increase in the city sales tax in April, but that ordinance was repealed during a special session Monday.

"Honestly, why would we put anything on the ballot when we don't have to? Elections cost money," Shaw said.

New Bloomfield City Clerk Jenna Boulger said in an email past elections have cost between $1,000-$1,500.

"In a small town, money matters," Shaw said.

In recent months, the aldermen have also discussed a ballot measure over a potential use tax but decided to table the issue.

The city is still considering raising the sales tax and introducing a use tax; the issues just won't be up for election in April.

If the use tax makes it onto a future ballot, voters will be asked to decide whether New Bloomfield can impose a local use tax equal to the total local sales tax rate.

Use taxes apply only to online purchases from out-of-state sellers.

Fulton voters are set to consider the same issue in April. Missouri and Callaway County already have use taxes in place.