Filing will start Dec. 17 for three spots on the Poplar Bluff City Council.
The terms are up for Mayor Robert Smith, the Ward 5 representative, and council members at-large Steve Davis and Ron Black.
Each new term will be for three years. Filing will continue through Jan. 21 for the April 7 election.
Smith will seek another three-year term, as will Davis, who is currently mayor pro tem, both shared this week.
Black has not made a decision.
“There are some things going on that I would still like to see done,” Smith said. “For the city hall and police department (location projects), since I’ve been on since the beginning, I’d like to stay on there and see things done.”
Smith said he would hate to see someone come on the council without the background knowledge of those projects, before they are finished.
“I’d just like to be a part of it,” he said.
Smith was first elected to the council in 2002, being re-elected three times. He was defeated in 2014, but re-elected again in 2017.
He was elected by council members to serve as mayor for the 2019-2020 term.
Davis says he has enjoyed being involved in council during his first term and believes many positive things have been accomplished for the city. This includes the opening of Shelby Road phase 2 and changes to the Highway 67 tax language, which will allow for an extension of four-lane highway to Arkansas.
“Public safety will continue to be important to me, and with another term, I hope to continue the efforts made by Police Chief (Danny) Whitely and Fire Chief (Ralph) Stucker to further promote progress for these departments, which only benefits the citizens of our community,” Davis said.
Poor fiscal decisions made by a previous city manager and declining sales tax revenue have caused financial struggles for the city, he added.
“It is important that we, as public officials, business leaders, and citizens, come together to find ways to improve our city’s revenue stream and look at ways to ensure taxpayer money is being spent effectively,” he said.
Black said Wednesday he has not decided if he will file.
“I’m simply leaving it open at this time,” he said.
Black has served multiple terms on the council. He was mayor in 1986,1990,1991 and 1995, and was most recently appointed to city council in April 2017.
“I’ve always felt like we all need to give back to our community in the way of public service of some kind,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed serving the city, representing the citizens to the best of my ability.”
Candidates for city council must be 21 years of age; a citizen of the United States; a qualified voter; a resident of the City for one year; a resident of the Ward for which he or she seeks office for one year and if elected continue to live in that Ward throughout his or her term, according to the city. No one who is in arrears for any tax lien can be elected.
Filing can be done at the Office of the City Clerk, 501 Vine Street, Poplar Bluff, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the last day of filing.
For more information, call the Office of the City Clerk at 686-8620 during regular business hours.