There will be at least one race for Jefferson City Council next spring, as a challenger has filed to run against 4th Ward Councilwoman Carrie Carroll.
Glen Costales filed Tuesday morning for the 4th Ward seat, saying he wants to be more involved in local politics. Costales, who is retired, describes himself as a fiscal conservative who believes in a smaller government and he wants to ensure the city is not entering arenas that should be left to private businesses.
"We need to look at ... are there things the city is doing that would better be served by private enterprise," Costales said.
Carroll, who is running for her last term on the council, said she welcomes the competition and looks forward to debating the issues with Costales.
"I have actually been hoping that I would have someone to debate," Carroll said. "When you don't run (a campaign), you don't get to get out there and the public doesn't really get to see the candidate."
No other challengers have filed against the incumbents in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 5th Wards, though filing is open through Dec. 17.
Elections will be March 4, 2014, if a primary is needed, and general elections will be April 8, 2014.
To file, no fee is required, but candidates must have endorsements from three people who live in the area the candidate wishes to represent.
The endorsements must be signed either before a notary public or before the city clerk. Endorsement forms are available from the city clerk's office or on the city website at www.jeffcitymo.org.
To run for council, candidates must be at least 21 at the time of the election, be a U.S. citizen and a qualified voter of the city. They also must have lived in the city for at least one year before the election and lived in the ward they wish to represent for six months before the election.
Candidates cannot have outstanding debts in the city and cannot have ever been found guilty of misappropriation of funds in office. They also cannot have ever been removed from a seat on the council.
Council members are paid $450 per month.