Candidate filing period opens for Aug. 2 primary


Candidates lined up to file for the primary elected positions at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday were from left: Lee Pipkins (candidate for Prosecuting Attorney), Christy Thompson (incumbent treasurer), Darla Sullivan (incumbent collector), Jackie Jones Smith (candidate for circuit clerk/recorder of deeds), Terry Newton (candidate for presiding county commissioner) and Brian Wise (incumbent county clerk). Filing for the positions continue through March 29. Times photo/Jessi Dreckman

Candidate filing for the Aug. 2 primary election began at 8 a.m. Tuesday. It continues through March 29. 

In Ozark County, public offices up for election during the Primary include those of presiding county commissioner (now held by John Turner), county clerk (now held by Brian Wise), county collector (now held by Darla Sullivan), county treasurer (now held by Christy Thompson), circuit clerk and recorder of deeds (now held by Becki Strong) and prosecuting attorney (now held by Matthew Weatherman).  The position of  Ozark County Associate Judge (now held by Raymond Gross) will also be on the ballot.

To file as a candidate for one of these Ozark County elected positions, visit the Ozark County Clerk’s office on the main floor in the county courthouse on the square in Gainesville during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from now until March 29. 

A candidate listing is included in the classified section of the Ozark County Times. The cost to be listed is $5 per week or $115 total from opening of filing period to the August primary. The Times also designs and publishes larger paid display ads for candidates at their request. To be added to the candidate listing or to discuss advertising options and costs, contact advertising manager Jenny Yarger by emailing jenny@ozarkcountytimes.com or calling 417-679-4641.

General qualifications

Missouri law specifies that a county office candidate must meet these “general qualifications:”

• Citizen of the United States

• Resident of the state one year “next preceding election”

• Registered Missouri voter

• Is not delinquent in the payment of any state income taxes, personal property taxes, municipal taxes, real property taxes on the place of residence as stated in the declaration of candidacy

• Is not a past or present corporate officer of any fee office that owes any taxes to the state

• Has not been found guilty of or pled guilty to a felony or misdemeanor under federal or state law

 

The following list shows the Ozark County offices that are up for election in 2022, along with additional specific qualifications for that office as well as the estimated salaries.

 

Presiding commissioner (4 year term)

Job description: leads weekly Ozark County Commission meetings, establishes county policy, approves and adopts county operational budgets, approves actual county expenditures, ensures county compliance with statutory requirements and acts as a liaison to other offices and agencies, oversees county buildings and infrastructure. 

Salary: $27,000

Qualification: resident of the county

 

County clerk (4 year term)

Job description: takes and maintains the permanent record of the Ozark County commissioners meetings and other commission business, serves as the election authority for Ozark County, handles voter registration and supervises elections, oversees human resources and payroll for the county. 

Salary: $38,000

Qualifications: Over 21; resident of the county one year “next preceding election.”

 County collector (4 year term)

Job description: collects taxes due from residents in compliance with assessor’s records, oversees the collection of personal and real estate taxes for various taxing entities in the county, prepares separate tax statements for personal property (cars, trucks, boats, etc…) and real estate (residential, commercial, agricultural), conducts delinquent tax sale. 

Salary: $38,000

Qualifications: Over 21; resident of the county; must meet statutory bond requirements for the office

 

County treasurer (4 year term)

Job description: receives, distributes and invests funds for the county, balances the financial books for the county and ensures all money is correctly accounted for and in separate funds as required by Missouri law, maintains records for grants and reimbursements held by Ozark County. 

Salary: $38,000

Qualifications: At least 21; resident of the state and county one year before election; must be current in payment of personal and real estate taxes; must meet statutory bond requirements for the office.

 

Clerk of circuit court/recorder of deeds (4 year term)

Job description: Circuit Clerk: conducts clerk duties for the civil, domestic relations, criminal, juvenile and probate courts, maintains a record of all required proceedings within the court system, prepares dockets for court hearings, prepares and files summons, warrants, orders, judgements and injunctions authorized by the court. Recorder: records documents for the county and county residents including marriages, deeds, plat books, birth and death records, divorces, mortgages, liens and other orders and instruments which involve property within the county. 

Salary: $58,000

Qualifications: Over 21.

 

Prosecuting attorney (4 year term)

Job description: legally prosecute criminal actions within the county.

Salary: $135,000

Qualifications:  At least 21; licensed to practice law in Missouri; resident of the county one year next preceding election.

 

Associate circuit judge (4 year term)

Job description: Each associate circuit judge may hear and determine certain cases or classes of cases specified by law. All criminal misdemeanors and infractions are heard and decided by the associate circuit judge. In felony criminal cases, the associate circuit judge conducts a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is probable cause to find that a felony has been committed and that the defendant committed it. If probable cause is found, the defendant is “bound over” for trial in the circuit court. Associate circuit judges also may hear all civil cases. It is also important to check the court rules as certain classes of cases must be filed before an associate circuit judge.

Salary: $135,000

Qualifications: At least 25; qualified Missouri voter; resident of county for at least one year before election; licensed to practice law in Missouri.

 

State and federal offices up for election

State and federal offices to be voted on in the August primary include state auditor, currently held by Nicole Galloway; the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Roy Blunt; the U.S. House of Representative District 8 seat currently held by Jason Smith; and the Missouri House of Representatives District 155 seat currently held by Travis Smith.

Candidates wishing to run for state or federal positions should file with Missouri Secretary of State John Ashcroft in Jefferson City before 

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423