August 8, 2018
Missouri

Sales tax, new commissioner set for DeKalb County

By Ray Scherer | News-Press Now | Aug 7, 2018 | www.houstonherald.com

DeKalb County will soon see a new leader for its government, along with sales tax revenue to fund school resource officers designed to ensure security for students.

In Tuesday’s election, Kyle Carroll defeated fellow Republican and incumbent Harold Allison by an unofficial final count of 1,128-953 (54 percent to 46 percent) to become the county’s next presiding commissioner.

Carroll had waged a campaign that tapped into sentiment among residents against the growth of wind farms in the county, based on concerns over public health and a perceived loss of the rural landscape. Allison had defended the introduction of the wind farms as bearing what he and supporters said was a much-needed source of economic development.

Incumbent DeKalb County Clerk Melissa “Missy” Meek won re-election to her post, by turning back a Republican primary challenge by Kristi Thomas. Meek won the contest by a tally of 1,366 to 744 (65 percent to 35 percent).

Also in the election, a majority of DeKalb County voters said they want funding for resource officers to be placed in each of the four school districts: Stewartsville, Osborn, Maysville and Union Star. The margin was 1,446-1,260 (53 to 47 percent). Officials said only a simple majority was required for passage.

Clark told News-Press Now he was “excited” by the results.

“I know now the kids will be safe,” he said, adding he will be able to add four deputies for the purpose of monitoring the schools – plus a fifth for use at after-school functions and the like.

Revenue from the tax will not be flowing into county coffers until next year, meaning Clark will not be able to hire those deputies for the time being.

“I will start looking now,” he said.

In other regional election highlights:

From a combined four-county race, incumbent J. Eggleston defeated primary challenger Amy Babcock for the Missouri House District Two seat by a margin of 5,037 to 1,229 (80 percent to 20 percent). Eggleston is a DeKalb County native and a small business owner who was elected to represent the district in 2014 and again in 2016. He represents DeKalb, Daviess, Gentry and Harrison counties in the Missouri General Assembly.

Voters in Riverside Unified School District 114 defeated a proposed new tax that would have supported a capital outlay fund. The final count was 310 to 349. The new tax would have allowed the district to replace buses, vehicles, technology, floors, roofs and rooftop air conditioning and heating units.

Andrew County voters sent incumbent Presiding Commissioner Bob Caldwell back to office. Caldwell defeated fellow Republican Jayson Sybert by a margin of 2,249 to 963 (70 percent to 30 percent).

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/08/08/sales-tax-new-commissioner-set-for-dekalb-county/