Clay County Vote: Nine changes in one ballot question

Clay County voters will decide on nine distinct government changes in a single yes-or-no vote under Proposition A. The measure, placed on the ballot by the Clay County Constitution Review Commission, bundles salary adjustments, election rule updates, and power shifts into one item.

The proposal would align the prosecuting attorney’s salary with that of a Missouri circuit judge. For the sheriff, the salary benchmark would rise from 75% of a Missouri associate circuit judge’s pay to 100%, according to the county. County Commission members would also gain access to all benefits available to other county employees.

Debra Leiter, an associate professor of political science at UMKC, noted that these financial changes increase the cost of government for taxpayers. She described the measure as a challenging read that requires careful attention from the electorate.

The proposal also alters election procedures. Currently, a sole candidate is declared the winner without an election, and a candidate receiving a majority in a primary is deemed elected without a general election. Under the new rules, a general election would be required regardless of the number of candidates on the ballot. With one or two qualified candidates, they would appear on the general election ballot without a primary. With more than two, a primary would be held, and the top two vote-getters would advance to the general election.

Authority within the county government would shift from the presiding commissioner to the full County Commission. The full commission would gain the power to nominate members of county boards and commissions, appoint the presiding commissioner pro tem, and call special meetings. Currently, only the presiding commissioner can call special meetings, but the proposal would allow any two remaining commissioners to do so.

The measure grants additional authority to the county administrator. The county’s website states that the presiding commissioner's existing signing provision would remain, but the proposal would expressly authorize the County Administrator to execute contracts and other government documents if authorized by law or the Commission. Each county commissioner would also be allowed to appoint one member of the county's Re-Districting and Constitution Review Commission.

Anthony Bologna, chair of the Clay County Constitution Review Commission, stated that the changes reflect a goal of ensuring county government serves residents effectively. The commission proposed the amendments after multiple public meetings and a review of how the county’s constitution has worked in practice. Bologna said the commission is presenting the changes as one ballot question because the county constitution requires voters to consider the recommendations as a complete document.

Voters will decide whether to approve or reject the entire package. Leiter emphasized that voters must take everything or nothing, as the nine changes are linked in the single ballot question.