Voters in Texas County are traveling to polls today to cast ballots in various city and school board elections, as well as decide the fate of 911 service.
Polls opened at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. A light turnout is reported. At 1:30 p.m., only 399 had cast ballots at the Houston precinct.
The centerpiece of the election is a three-eighths of a penny sales tax — if approved — that would become the financing vehicle to continue an enhanced 911 emergency dispatch system in Texas County. Currently, Wri-Tex 911 is financed by a 15-percent surtax on landline phones. Over the years, usage has declined as more residents transitioned to using cellular telephones. No tax exists on those — Missouri is the only state in the country doesn’t allow it. As landline usage dramatically declined so did revenue to support the 911 system. If approved, the system would only support Texas County, and the surtax would end. Partner Wright County is dropping its participation.
Another countywide measure would allow the county to receive its 1.5 percent sales tax on out-of-state purchases, which eliminates a loophole that benefits non-Missouri vendors over those doing business in the state.
The only Texas County race on the ballot is for a five-year term on the Texas County Memorial Hospital board of trustees. Challenging incumbent Mark Hampton of Summersville is Karen Hollenbeck Smith of Solo.
Here are the contested races on the ballot:
•Five persons are seeking three seats for three-year terms on the Raymondville board of education: They are incumbents Michael King, Don Schweighauser and Paul Murray. Also running are Shalena Purcell and Stetson Evetts.
•Seeking three seats on the Success School board are: Ross Olson, Mary Glidewell, Kelly Bean and Benny Bean. Olson and Benny Bean are the incumbents for the three-year terms. Carl Huff did not seek re-election.
•Filing for three seats for three years each on the Plato board of education are: Kristi Tracy Atterberry, Doug Caldwell, incumbent; Ralph Koehler; Kim Hodges, incumbent; and Robert Crabtree. The other incumbent was Chad Todd.
•Seeking three, three-year terms on the Cabool board of education are: Brenda J. Jarrett, Leigh Ann Sigman, incumbent Cyndi Flanagan, incumbent Michael Lauerssen, Heidi Middleton, Sheila Mae Long and Thomas C. Nevill.
•Michael E. Moore is challenging Mary Barnes, who was appointed earlier, to a two-year term as the Ward I alderman in the City of Houston.
•Four people are seeking two seats for two-year terms as aldermen at Summersville. They are: Stephanie Briggs, Melvin Chaney, Marilyn Howell and Dorothy W. Riffle.
•At Licking, seeking the Ward I council position are Laura Gant and incumbent Larry Guffey. Running for the Ward II position are Leland Miller, John Whelan and Keith Cantrell. Jim Nelson is the incumbent.