Filing dates for the April election have officially been set after the Jefferson City Council approved the 2016 election dates Monday.
At the council meeting Monday, members unanimously approved a bill establishing the 2016 election dates, with the municipal election set for April 5. Five council seats will be on the ballot, with a majority of incumbents seeking re-election.
The city's filing period begins Dec. 15 and ends Jan. 20. Each council seat is for a two-year term. To run for City Council, candidates must be at least 21 years old at the time of election, be a U.S. citizen and be 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.
First Ward Councilman Rick Prather, 2nd Ward Councilman J. Rick Mihalevich and 5th Ward Councilman Larry Henry all said they plan to file for re-election in December. Third Ward Councilman Bob Scrivner is not eligible to run for re-election as he has served the full four, two-year terms council members are limited to.
Fourth Ward Councilman Glen Costales said he is unsure of whether he will run for re-election. Costales is just finishing his first term on the council, but underwent a change this past summer when he became the legal guardian to four children.
"I have not decided," Costales said. "The kids have mixed emotions about it and we're trying to figure out what to do. I enjoy what I do, but the kids come first."
There is no filing fee to run for office; however, candidates must have endorsements from three people who live in the area the candidate wishes to represent, as well as a Department of Revenue Form 5120, which must be filed with the Missouri Department of Revenue.
The endorsements must be signed either before a notary public or before the city clerk.
City Council members are paid $450 per month.