Cole County's two Western District commissioner candidates differed at a Tuesday forum on several issues, including whether the county should reconsider zoning laws and discuss moving some of its downtown operations.
Janet Ousley is challenging Kris Scheperle, who is seeking a second four-year term as Western District commissioner. The winner of this Republican primary will effectively win the seat; no Democrat has filed.
The forum was sponsored by the News Tribune.
Ousley said she would be willing to bring back discussions of county zoning. She said it wasn't properly sold to county residents when they voted against it in 2014.
She said zoning could prevent past incidents from reoccurring, such as a sex shop that opened on Arden Drive. It was eventually shut down after authorities charged prostitution was taking place, and the owner gave up his business license.
"If done correctly and with the will of the people, zoning can be a good thing," Ousley said.
Scheperle said town hall meetings were held to explain the benefits of zoning, but county residents made it clear they "don't like being told what they can do with their property."
"As far as I am concerned, zoning is a dead issue," he said.
To address county space needs, Scheperle said ideally the county offices would move out of the courthouse and annex building to leave more room for the courts. "It just makes more sense for all non-court offices to be together and the courts to have the annex," he said.
Ousley said the county should keep its four downtown buildings but consider using the Missouri River Regional Library, if it ever moves to a new location.
Scheperle characterized his first-term performance as "excellent," while Ousley criticized his handling of several issues, including a recent flap over when the county lowers its flag to half-staff and a legal opinion the county owes more than $300,000 in back pay to some employees.
"How does this happen?" Ousley asked of the back pay. She said it puts into question whether the commission can properly handle taxpayer money.
Scheperle said multiple attorneys have given various opinions on the issue, and while it's an "oversight," it's not the commission's mistake.
The county recently caused a stir when it voted against following President Barack Obama's order to lower the county flag to half-staff after a shooter killed 49 patrons at a gay nightclub in Orlando. It was the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. After a public outcry, the commission changed its decision as Scheperle changed his vote, agreeing to lower the flag.
Scheperle said the county was following its own policy on when to lower the flag and now follows presidential directives. However, he said the county needs to discuss the issue more to "come up with a good solution."
The city and county each pay the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce $150,000 annually for economic development. Asked whether he is satisfied with the chamber's performance, Scheperle said he thinks the chamber is doing "OK," but he's never satisfied and wants to push them to do more.
Ousley said she thinks the chamber is doing what it can but needs to give more detailed reports about how the money is spent.
Scheperle countered the chamber already gives the county such reports, both quarterly and annually.
Ousley said the most pressing issue in the county is communication between the commission and taxpayers. If elected, she said she would be open and accessible.
Scheperle said stormwater problems are one of the biggest issues, and the county is able to address the problem with the county's half-cent sales tax.
The Western District commissioner position pays $39,100 annually and is considered a part-time job. Scheperle said he typically spends a minimum of 30 hours a week at the job, which is becoming more of a full-time job. Ousley is an advertising sales representative for the Jefferson City News Tribune. If elected, Ousley would quit that position and work full time as a commissioner.
The archived video of the Western District commissioner candidate forum is available for viewing at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtQ1EqXoSxk
Current assessor gives insight into position
The Cole County assessor's forum followed the debate between the commissioner candidates.
Chris Estes, incumbent and current assessor, was the sole participant in the forum. His challenger, Greg Rollins, a longtime auto shop owner, said he could not make the forum due to a prior commitment.
Estes is running for a third term. In his opening statement, Estes discussed his background as a police officer and investigator of fraud and unemployment claims with the state. In those experiences, he had to understand and apply laws, which is a requirement of the assessor.
The job of the county assessor is full-time, he said, which sometimes requires more than 40 hours of work per week. It pays $59,438 annually.
The personal property section of the assessor's office works with 100 people daily, on average, Estes added.
"With training and skills that the employees have in that office under my guidance, we serve the the citizens of Cole County better - from explanations to how to get your tax receipt to filling out your assessment sheets," Estes said. "I have an open door policy regardless of what the issue is."
Estes said he is involved in doing valuations, and his nearly 15 years of experience in construction helps him in that process. He said he can spot quality construction, what's in need of maintenance and other aspects that can affect a home's value.
In a reader-submitted question, Estes was asked how his office distinguishes between home improvements and repairs and maintenance. Also, should the assessed valuation increase based on maintenance and repair?
He explained market value dictates valuations, which are completed through cost analysis and sales comparison analysis. Income analysis is conducted on industrial and commercial property and does not apply to residential.
"The assessor doesn't set the value; we interpret what the market is telling us," Estes said.
A home's upkeep can affect a home's value in positive or negative ways.
"If a house has had deferred maintenance and is in poor condition, and if the house were to sell, it would not sell as high as if the maintenance had been kept up," Estes said, adding if home maintenance is regularly completed, the home will maintain a higher value.
Improvements are considered to be room additions, adding a garage or going from a shingle-type roof to a metal-type roof, for example, he said.
The archived video of the Assessor candidate forum is available for viewing at https://youtu.be/MjsJlthLCZo
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