Kimball mayor gives additional statement regarding recall petition
Mayor John Morrison gave another statement as a community member is in the process of collecting signatures to recall him as mayor.
By News Channel NebraskaKIMBALL -- Mayor John Morrison gave another statement as a community member is in the process of collecting signatures to recall him as mayor.
As News Channel Nebraska previously reported, Ron Buchart requested a recall petition filing form in hopes of removing the mayor from office. He began collecting signatures on Nov. 13 and has 30 days to collect 280 signatures.
Buchart listed five reasons the mayor should be replaced before his term ends in December of 2026, which are:
- Raised property tax levy despite outcry not to
- Conflict of interest with business associate who is currently a county commissioner
- Over the allotted time to fill a vacant seat in the City Council
- Disrespect toward community members that keep him accountable, distributing misleading information about said parties
- Not representing the needs of the people of Kimball
In Morrison’s most recent statement, he asks, “Are these legitimate reasons to have an election that will cost local taxpayers at least $5,000?”
According to the Kimball County Clerk’s Office, the special election held in June 2023 cost $8,533.84. A recall election would be fairly similar in price to the 2023 election that was regarding a sales tax.
Morrison also said that it was not his sole decision to raise the levy; the city council voted to do so.
“Half a dozen people who spoke up at a meeting do not necessarily represent the whole city,” he said. “The council set the levy at the amount they felt was fiscally responsible for the city.”
In regard to having a conflict of interest with a county commissioner, Morrison said he is not a business associate with anyone.
“My business entity is Triangle Partners of which I have been a sole owner since 2018, six years before I was elected mayor,” he said.
Morisson said it took a while to fill the vacant council seat for many reasons.
“The city attorney was consulted, and he said that in small communities it was understood by the Nebraska Attorney General it sometimes takes a while fill vacancies,” he said.
Morrison goes on to say that he does not feel that he has disrespected anyone and has not distributed any information that wasn’t public information. He then asks what needs of the community have not been represented.
News Channel Nebraska was unable to reach Buchart for a response to the comments and questions made by Morrison.