What to know about Clay County Commission candidates on Nov. 8 ballot before you vote

Missouri voters will have the chance to cast a ballot on Nov. 8, or earlier — anyone can vote in-person absentee for this election starting on Oct. 25. Voters will decide on five statewide ballot questions and numerous races from the federal down to the county level of government. Kansas City voters will decide on two city questions too.

Below are links to candidates’ responses to The Star’s survey from those running for Clay County Commission.

And here is a link to all of the Missouri races on the ballot for voters around Kansas City, and state legislative candidates running in Clay County districts.

If you’re not sure, you can look up your voter information to see which district you live in, and where your polling site is.

How the voter guide works:

Click on the race you are curious about, and you’ll go to a page with candidates’ responses. There, you can use the jump menu to get to a specific race or district.

Any candidates that do not have answers below their names did not respond to the survey. Our team at The Star contacted campaigns multiple times via both email and phone calls over the past month.

If you are a candidate and would like to get in touch with us and submit responses still, you can email us at kcq@kcstar.com. Voters will continue using this tool all the way through election day.

A note on editing and fact-checking

Some survey responses were very lightly edited for grammar, but the substance of the responses were not edited at all and are the candidates’ own words. The Star did not fact-check all of the candidates’ responses.

If you are concerned about misinformation or would like to learn more about some of the issues referenced in candidates’ responses, we wanted to include this past story about how to spot misinformation: How to tell if a politician is lying? A scholar who studies what they say has some advice.

Presiding Commissioner

Jerry Nolte

After numerous attempts to contact via email and phone over a span of more than two weeks, Jerry Nolte did not respond to The Star’s request to complete the candidate survey.

Campaign website: www.facebook.com/NolteForCommissioner

Dan Troutz

After numerous attempts to contact via email and phone over a span of more than two weeks, Dan Troutz did not respond to The Star’s request to complete the candidate survey.

Campaign website: no website

Western District-At large

Kenneth Jamison

Should the county raise property taxes, lower them or keep them the same?

The government is no better than us. The government should live within its means just like us. I will work to ensure we have a balanced budget. As a small business owner, I will ensure Clay County is accountable to taxpayers and creates an environment where small businesses can prosper.

What changes should the county make in the services it provides?

The people of Clay County pay too many taxes to Kansas City, yet what do we get in return? I will fight to ensure our tax dollars stay in the Northland. As a United States Marine and Afghanistan veteran, I will stand up for Clay County against the special interests south of the river to ensure we get our fair share of services.

What should the county prioritize when making choices about new development projects?

Community needs, jobs, wages, transparency and accountability.

What is one other thing you’d like to accomplish for the county that you have not already addressed?

I strongly support fully funding our law enforcement. I will fight for more police officers on the streets. I will fight to ensure our Sheriff’s Department has the tools necessary to keep our children and senior citizens safe. I will fight for better wages and retention for our Sheriff’s Department.

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is the legitimate president, and do you condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection?

Yes, I believe the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is our legitimate president. I condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Campaign website: KenJamison.com

Jason Withington

Should the county raise property taxes, lower them or keep them the same?

Clay County needs to seriously consider lowering property taxes. But citizens need to remember cuts will also need to make cuts to the budget to offset the cuts.

What changes should the county make in the services it provides?

Instead of competing with the private sector, Clay County needs to get out of the airport, marina and golf course business. Those resources should then be reallocated to road and bridge maintenance the county has neglected for over a decade.

What should the county prioritize when making choices about new development projects?

Development ought to be the type that the market needs and isn’t subsidized by taxpayers.

What is one other thing you’d like to accomplish for the county that you have not already addressed?

County-wide broadband. COVID showed us that fast reliable broadband is no longer a luxury but rather a necessity.

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is the legitimate president, and do you condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection?

I’m not answering any politically loaded question that has nothing to do with my race. You should be ashamed for asking this question.

Campaign website: jasonwithington.com

Eastern District-At large

JoAnn Lawson

Should the county raise property taxes, lower them or keep them the same?

I feel we should lower the property taxes. The county is growing with growth comes more income from property taxes and sales tax the county could lower property taxes and still maintain the revenue to provide county services. With the price of food and gas going sky high our Clay County citizens need a break.

What changes should the county make in the services it provides?

Until I am in office it is hard to address that issue in depth. However, a few areas I would like to see improvement are the budgeting First law enforcement. Our deputies are the lowest paid in the area. I want to provide funding for training, for safety equipment to help them do their jobs more safely and offer better protection to our citizens as well as increase their salary. Second more commission involvement in control of the budget to assure dollars are spent wisely. Our citizens have to watch their budget and so should the county.

What should the county prioritize when making choices about new development projects?

The main consideration should be infrastructure. Whether it is a residential or commercial project trying to provide access on a road that normally serves a small number of vehicles to a 100+ residential development or a multiple store shopping mall could create access problems. Additionally we must consider available utilities. However as long as the county works with the developer growth is a great thing and when issues are addressed in advance it will help development grow without snags.

What is one other thing you’d like to accomplish for the county that you have not already addressed?

I want complete accountability and transparency between my constituents and myself. I will listen to their concerns, be available to answer questions and respond to any concerns they may have. I will be a full time commissioner. I don’t think we have seen this in the county in the past.

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is the legitimate president, and do you condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection?

First of all I think there are still some court decisions pending and some cases of fraud have been brought to light. The bottom line is this, that issue one way or the other has no bearing on how I do the job as Eastern Commissioner at Large. On the Jan. 6 issue, I have been following the hearings and will continue to see how the issue is resolved.

Campaign website: www.facebook.com/JoAnn4Commissioner

Steve Wolcott, Democrat

Should the county raise property taxes, lower them or keep them the same?

While I have reviewed the current, 2022 county budget, I still have many questions. Clay County’s budget depends primarily on sale’s tax and not property taxes. Only just over 2% of most Clay County tax bills are for “county services.” Until I have better information on how the current revenue may be better spent, I would not vote to change the current minimal county property tax.

What changes should the county make in the services it provides?

First, the county needs to do a better job in communicating with its citizens as to the various services that the county has to offer. Providing more convenient locations for those services or a county-funded transportation system for access to those services would be of great benefit to many of our residents.

What should the county prioritize when making choices about new development projects?

I would want the current comprehensive land development plan to be reviewed and updated first to determine how any proposed new development fits within that plan. Clay County must decide if it wants to continue to construct housing projects throughout the County or retain green areas and “family farms.” The approval of any new development by the county should involve input from any adjacent cities along with other governmental bodies involved including school districts, water districts, and fire protection districts.

What is one other thing you’d like to accomplish for the county that you have not already addressed?

The commission is responsible for appointing members to its various citizen committees including the Mid-Continent Public Library. As the new charter provides, I want to see more diversity of our citizens on those committees. I also want to see that the county fully complies with the open meetings and records law (Sunshine Law). Further, I want the prevailing wage law to be the norm and not the exception on all public works projects in the county.

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is the legitimate president, and do you condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection?

Yes. All the various recounts and unsuccessful court challenges confirm that the 2020 election was probably one of the more secure elections that we have had in the United States.

Campaign website: www.facebook.com/SteveWolcott4ClayCounty

Eastern District-Seat 2

Sherry Duffett

Should the county raise property taxes, lower them or keep them the same?

Tax levies are based on the assessed value of personal property and real estate in the political subdivision affected. The pro forma is a form that all political subdivisions other than school districts must submit to the state auditor. Included in the pro forma is the prior year tax rate ceiling, current rate, maximum authorized levy, and current year tax rate ceiling. After all the values have been submitted, the state auditor certifies the tax levy for the political subdivision. This is the most efficient method of determining tax levies. I do not believe county commissioners or board members should deviate from certification of tax levies by utilizing this method.

What changes should the county make in the services it provides?

County services have improved since 2021. However, additional changes can be made.

The county should make the website more user-friendly. Technology has advanced, and our government needs to advance with technology. Citizens need a search tool that will enable them to access services the county provides. This includes meetings, resolutions, personal property, real estate property, etc. Accessibility is key for communication and transparency.

The Sherriff’s Office is in need of officers and support staff. Wages and benefits need to be competitive to attract, train and retain employees. This applies to all departments.

What should the county prioritize when making choices about new development projects?

The county should look at new development as: essential, project cost and long-term viability. Companies/individuals bidding for projects should be evaluated through the bidding process for the “lowest and best” bidder. The introduction of an ordinance supporting responsible bidder language requiring employers of new county development projects pay a prevailing wage to workers should be approved. Research shows that prevailing wage laws boost worker productivity, reduce injury rates, and increase apprenticeship training, which helps to address the shortage of skilled labor in construction. These factors result in livable wages, economic growth and improved schools. Win-win.

What is one other thing you’d like to accomplish for the county that you have not already addressed?

There are many things I would like to accomplish for Clay County. Since I have to designate one thing I would like to accomplish for the county, I would like to improve and/or begin new construction of the Clay County Detention Center.

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is the legitimate president, and do you condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection?

Yes, the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided, and Joe Biden is the legitimate president. Yes, I wholeheartedly condemn the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.

Campaign website: www.sherryduffett4claycounty.com

Jay Johnson

Should the county raise property taxes, lower them or keep them the same?

Improving governmental fiscal stewardship is a big reason why I am running for office. I believe government should be run as efficiently as possible — a more effective government using the least amount of taxpayer dollars. My hope would be to see property taxes lowered. I have seen too often how easy it is for politicians to spend other peoples’ money — our tax dollars. I have 30 years experience working in government, rising to the level of chief of police and acting city manager, and creating millions in structural budget reductions while increasing effectiveness. I have managed over a billion dollars.

What changes should the county make in the services it provides?

I believe we should be focused on the basics and doing them well. That includes first and foremost public safety. A properly funded sheriff’s department and prosecutors office is paramount. Infrastructure maintenance and improvements should be properly budgeted for and addressed immediately — streets, bridges, water, sewers, storm drains, power, etc. Capital improvements should be planned for and properly budgeted so that we live within our means and our expenses never rise to meet our income. Leaders need to be thinking and planning 5-10 years down the road, all with the citizens as the priority.

What should the county prioritize when making choices about new development projects?

Clay County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state. We need to ensure we have a strategy in place for such growth. Any new development needs to also address any additional strains it would put on resources such as public safety services, traffic on our streets and bridges, storm water runoff issues, infrastructure and so on, which ultimately falls on taxpayers. Additionally, Clay County is over 400 square miles with many cities and many areas of country. Some people live here for the city life, others for the country life. We need to protect them both.

What is one other thing you’d like to accomplish for the county that you have not already addressed?

Bringing common sense, accountability, integrity, and civility back into politics and our leadership. It is a problem at all levels of government. The distrust and lack of transparency is rampant among politicians, many who are in it for themselves and not the people. Many politicians are either ego-driven for power and/or for money. Clay County has recently turned a corner in political corruption and is heading in the right direction. I want to continue to advance Clay County in a positive, ethical direction and become the best county in the state!

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is the legitimate president, and do you condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection?

The fact that this question is even asked of the candidates underscores where we are at politically in this country and why I am running. The lack of transparency, trust, honesty and integrity from our government leaders (and the media) has created this mess. Whether it’s Republicans questioning the past election or Democrats questioning the previous election, it all boils down to trust, transparency and integrity. If the system and the leaders were trustworthy, there would not be such widespread doubt every time there is an election. This has to change before it destroys our great nation. We need to vote for integrity.

Campaign website: ChiefJayJohnsonforCommissioner.com

This story was originally published October 20, 2022 at 7:00 AM.