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Election season not quite over in Benson
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Even though America just voted, elections were still a hot topic Monday night for the Benson City Council.
City Clerk Vicki Vivian announced the details for the next council election, and a decision was made to align city codes with the state when it comes to political signs.
Vivian said the next city election is just a few months away with the primary election set for March 10 of next year, and the general election May 19.
Up for reelection are Mayor Mark Fenn, Vice Mayor Toney King and Councilwoman Lori McGoffin.
Residents recently voted to seat Jo Deen Boncquet and David Lambert, but the September election was a special election held to recall two former council members.
The upcoming election is on the city's normal schedule. Vivian said anyone wanting to run for City Council should start preparing now.
"Candidates seeking municipal office may obtain nomination papers and other materials, which must be filed by candidates at City Hall in the administration office," Vivian said. "Candidates must file nomination papers and other forms by 5 p.m. Dec. 10 at City Hall, in order for their names to appear on the primary election ballot."
The paperwork became available to the public on Nov. 10. Anyone interested in running for City Council must be a registered voter.
In actual city business, the Council voted unanimously to change codes regarding the posting of political signs during election season.
Right after the September primary election, area resident Marv Sorensen complained to City Council about regulations regarding political signs.
Sorensen complained that Benson's regulations were out of line with the rest of the state and that it was unfair that all political signs had to be removed after the primary election.
That meant even the winners of the primary had to remove all signs and then repost them right before the general election on Nov. 4.
Sorensen said it was unfair to candidates, not only because it was a lot of unnecessary work, but it also posed a problem for early ballots. When the political signs can't be put up in Benson and residents are already voting, Sorensen said it's wrong.
When he complained, Sorensen said he knew it was too late for the November election, but wanted to get the council to take action to avoid problems in the future.
After a short discussion Monday night, the council agreed to amend the regulations to conform to state codes.
In other business, the council unanimously approved a liquor license for Gracie's Station, a new restaurant in final construction stages on State Route 90 near the Holiday Inn Express.
Representatives for the new restaurant did not give the council an opening date, but said it is coming soon.
In other business, the city received a good report from state auditor's who conducted the annual audit on city books, which is required by law.
Jim Usevitch of Colby and Powell said the city has about $3.7 million in cash on hand, and for a town Benson's size, that is good. Usevitch said Jim Cox, the city's finance director, is doing a good job, and the city is in good shape financially.
Cox said with a gloomy national economy, he will keep an eye on sales taxes, and if they ever fall below 10 percent he will ask the council to review the entire budget and make cuts at that time.
In the final order of business of the night, council directed staff to create a plant list for commercial and subdivision use.
Interim City Manager Glenn Nichols said the list will include drought-tolerant plants that may be good for developers and builders to plant in this area.
Once the list is created, it will be put before the council for final approval.
Even though America just voted, elections were still a hot topic Monday night for the Benson City Council.
City Clerk Vicki Vivian announced the details for the next council election, and a decision was made to align city codes with the state when it comes to political signs.
Vivian said the next city election is just a few months away with the primary election set for March 10 of next year, and the general election May 19.
Up for reelection are Mayor Mark Fenn, Vice Mayor Toney King and Councilwoman Lori McGoffin.
Residents recently voted to seat Jo Deen Boncquet and David Lambert, but the September election was a special election held to recall two former council members.
The upcoming election is on the city's normal schedule. Vivian said anyone wanting to run for City Council should start preparing now.
"Candidates seeking municipal office may obtain nomination papers and other materials, which must be filed by candidates at City Hall in the administration office," Vivian said. "Candidates must file nomination papers and other forms by 5 p.m. Dec. 10 at City Hall, in order for their names to appear on the primary election ballot."
The paperwork became available to the public on Nov. 10. Anyone interested in running for City Council must be a registered voter.
In actual city business, the Council voted unanimously to change codes regarding the posting of political signs during election season.
Right after the September primary election, area resident Marv Sorensen complained to City Council about regulations regarding political signs.
Sorensen complained that Benson's regulations were out of line with the rest of the state and that it was unfair that all political signs had to be removed after the primary election.
That meant even the winners of the primary had to remove all signs and then repost them right before the general election on Nov. 4.
Sorensen said it was unfair to candidates, not only because it was a lot of unnecessary work, but it also posed a problem for early ballots. When the political signs can't be put up in Benson and residents are already voting, Sorensen said it's wrong.
When he complained, Sorensen said he knew it was too late for the November election, but wanted to get the council to take action to avoid problems in the future.
After a short discussion Monday night, the council agreed to amend the regulations to conform to state codes.
In other business, the council unanimously approved a liquor license for Gracie's Station, a new restaurant in final construction stages on State Route 90 near the Holiday Inn Express.
Representatives for the new restaurant did not give the council an opening date, but said it is coming soon.
In other business, the city received a good report from state auditor's who conducted the annual audit on city books, which is required by law.
Jim Usevitch of Colby and Powell said the city has about $3.7 million in cash on hand, and for a town Benson's size, that is good. Usevitch said Jim Cox, the city's finance director, is doing a good job, and the city is in good shape financially.
Cox said with a gloomy national economy, he will keep an eye on sales taxes, and if they ever fall below 10 percent he will ask the council to review the entire budget and make cuts at that time.
In the final order of business of the night, council directed staff to create a plant list for commercial and subdivision use.
Interim City Manager Glenn Nichols said the list will include drought-tolerant plants that may be good for developers and builders to plant in this area.
Once the list is created, it will be put before the council for final approval.
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