Elwood lands Ward 2 Columbia City Council seat, Boone County tax freeze passes
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Boone County voters overwhelmingly approved expanding the county’s senior property tax freeze on Tuesday.
Voters approved the measure with 77.7% of the vote. “Yes” votes garnered 12,233 votes compared to 3,506 for “no.” Last year, Boone County voters approved an initial tax exemption that seniors have to apply for each year. This new measure seeks to do a “full freeze” that includes bond levies.
Columbia Ward 2 voters also chose to make Vera Elwood the ward’s representative on the City Council. Elwood bested Ken Rice 1,480 votes to 1,130. A special election was held after former Councilwoman Lisa Meyer announced her resignation earlier this year.
Voter turnout in Boone County exceeded the county clerk’s expectation with 12.58%. County Clerk Brianna Lennon previously told ABC 17 News that she expected around a 7-8% turnout.
There were 2,709 absentee ballots filled out.
Voters in the Harrisburg School District area also rejected a measure asked by the school on Tuesday. A question for the Harrisburg R-8 School District asked voters to eliminate the Prop C Sales Tax Rollback in its operating levy and increase its levy by 50 cents. Voters rejected the measure 275 votes to 216.
Higbee voters approve fire protection district bond
Higbee voters once again approved a proposition question for the Higbee Area Fire Protection District. The measure passed with 111 votes in favor and 18 against.
Voters in Higbee approved a bond measure in August 2024 that included the wrong amount. In May, the state auditor’s office determined the August and November elections for this measure did not comply with state law because sample ballots were not published.
The $1.6 million bond will be used to buy essential equipment, according to previous reporting.
There was a 10.71% voter turnout in that election.
Audrain County
Voters decided they wanted to be incorporated into the Van Far Fire Protection District with a 327-52 decision. A tax levy to fund the department was also approved 303 votes to 78.
Five people were selected to the fire protection district’s board of directors: Heather Williams (315 votes), Dean Middleton (302 votes), Marvin Yager (297 votes), Justin Hopke (276 votes) and Mark Woodward (272 votes).
The Vandalia Fire Protection District wrote on its Facebook page that Williams was picked to a six-year term, while Middleton and Yager earned four-year terms and Hopke and Woodward earned two-year terms.
There were 390 total ballots cast to lead to an 18.29% voter turnout.
Callaway County
New Bloomfield voters are deciding on a $3 million bond for its fire protection district.
Previous reporting indicates the money will be used for a new fire station and other improvements.
Initial counts posted at 7:43 p.m. by the Callaway County clerk showed “YES” leading 126 votes to 27.
Additional results from around Mid-Missouri will be added as the night continues.