Municipal elections have a history of lower turnout, and while the April 7 election predictably followed that trend, the results will impact far, far more than those who cast the votes.

A few races and ballot measures are of note, the most impactful of which is SB3. A year ago, voters overwhelmingly approved SB190 — with 91% in favor — offering a tax credit for seniors on their homes, essentially freezing their property taxes at 2024 rates.

The impact of that vote, while it may save seniors a few tens of dollars every year, collectively will hit fire districts, road districts and other entities without bond obligations with a budget loss.

SB3 passed with a lesser margin, 1,641 votes in favor and 1,027 against (62% to 38%), however, if all property taxes are frozen for all homeowners — school districts with bond issues included this time — every public service we receive in Barry County will have to make some difficult financial decisions in the years ahead.

The bill is still working its way through the court system and may be overturned, but if it’s not, schools, emergency services and any government entities funded by property taxes will feel the pinch of a lifetime.

Whatever the future holds, we’ll be there to report the impacts.

Outside of SB3, the most intriguing Municipal Election vote occurred in Washburn. A 1-cent sales tax proposal within the city to support public safety tied — 35-35 — meaning it failed.

If there is ever an instance where one vote mattered, it was this one. Out of 240 registered voters, 70 cast ballots. A 29.1% turnout is what I would love to see out of the entire county, and had a 71st person cast a vote, that individual would have decided it definitively.

The nearly triple turnout compared to the county-wide turnout was to be expected. I was at the Washburn City Council meeting in March, specifically asked to come because there would be some “important questions for the council,” to paraphrase said request.

I’ve covered hundreds of city council meetings, school board meetings, ambulance district meetings, county commission meetings and more over my 15-plus years in journalism. I can count on a few fingers how many were that contentious.

By and large, the people in the gallery were upset at the city for even making such a proposal. in a sense, I see where they were coming from, but not for the reasons they were alleging. All the detractors’ focuses were on issues, in my opinion, that didn’t carry any weight.

The real question was: How will another $40,000 that barely fully covers the police chief’s salary going to truly have an effect on public safety?

The answer, again in my opinion: Dedicated sales tax dollars to public safety — even if it didn’t allow the police department to stand on its own — would shift funding away from general revenue.

In the end, an extra $40,000 to a city like Washburn, which nets around $82,000 with three sales taxes already, would make an incredible difference.

That opens up $40,000 in general funds that could be directed toward many of the issues Washburn is dealing with, streets for example.

Instead, in my opinion again, petty squabbling has kept the city at square one. Only nine businesses in Washburn collect sales tax. I hope residents of Washburn patronize those businesses as much as possible in years to come — they will only be helping themselves.

Comparatively, Wheaton passed a 1-cent tax for public safety easily, 93 votes to 24, a 79% to 21% margin. Where freed up general revenue funds from the addition of that tax go will be something to watch.

Beyond those most impactful results, the Monett School Board race was a doozy. Seats changes, and a write-in campaign came closer than I’ve ever seen in recent memory to being a success. The future of that board and the action it takes will be something for district patrons on which to keep a close eye.

The city of Seligman passed a much-needed water bond issue, to the tune of $10 million. This will fund line replacements and a new water tower and well. I imagine when all that work is done, residents will enjoy those effects.

The Wheaton school district also passed its $2 million bond issue for roofing, HVAC, debt refinancing and other wish list projects. I hope that school board is frugal with those funds to create the biggest impact.

Ultimately, the April 7 election was one to learn from, if we ever do. A total of 2,701 ballots cast among 23,810 registered voters leaves the decisions of many in the hands of a few.

I hope those who did not cast votes in this election understand the impact that has going forward — and inspires them to cast a ballot on the next Election Day.

I hear August will have some races of interest. I hope more than 11% show up to the polls.

Kyle Troutman has served as editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014 and owner/publisher since 2023. He is a three-time ISWNE Golden Dozen award winner. He may be reached at 417-847-2610 or [email protected].