Two Sedalia city councilmen appear to have survived tight election contests to win another term on the council.
Unofficial results from the Pettis County Clerk’s office show that, with 11 out of 12 precincts reporting, Tom Oldham and Bob Cross will return to the Sedalia City Council for another two-year term. Oldham picked up 312 votes to remain in the Ward One seat, defeating Albert Reine Jr who earned 236 votes. Cross’ margin of victory was even closer in Ward Three, as he had 255 votes to the 241 collected by challenger David Covington. The Ward Two seat goes to Lee Schribner, who had 172 votes to Michelle Abney’s 152. In Ward Four, Michelle Franklin prevailed with 338 votes, while Harry Hoffert had 302.
Both incumbents vying for re-election to the Sedalia School District 200 Board of Education won comfortably. Board president Diana Nichols won a fifth term on the board with 1759 votes, while secretary Barbara Jean Schrader secured 1651 votes to earn her third term. Challenger Kyle Yarber had 833 votes. Yarber was also unsuccessful in his bid to join the Pettis County Health Board, finishing with 1027 votes. Adam Gerke (2322), Chanelle Ream (1984), and Donald “Dino” Ward (1594) earned the three seats available on the board.
Pettis County residents renewed the one-half cent road and bridge sales tax. The tax first enacted in 2000 has been renewed every five years, but this year’s measure removed the five-year sunset. 2367 votes were in favor of the renewal, while 1657 were opposed.
Voters in Green Ridge gave their approval to Proposition CARES. The levy increase to $4.95 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation was approved with 203 votes in favor and 144 opposed. However, voters in Smithton rejected a proposed $3.5 million bond measure by a 327-291 vote. Smithton voters also elected Matthew Bahner (406) and Jake Gieschen (364) to the board of education. Nathan Killion (145) and Nick Ramey (117) were elected to the Northwest R-V Board of Education, while BJ Breshears (152) and Ethan Perriguey (96) are both on track to have three-year terms on the La Monte R-IV Board of Education.
One seat on the La Monte Board of Aldermen was contested. Jim Saluto emerged on top of the Ward One race with 23 votes, with Austin Simons following with 18 votes and Lisa Jones collecting nine. Lyle Roberts was uncontested for an unexpired term in Ward One, while Terry Drum ran unopposed in Ward Two.
A total of 4285 votes were cast, making voter turnout in Pettis County around 16.67 percent.