Bolivar Discusses Changing Election, Extending Mayor and Council Members Terms
At its meeting on Monday, May 13, 2024, the City of Bolivar discussed combining the City of Bolivar Election with a State General Election in order to save money and increase voter participation, which would also extend the term of the mayor and council members.
“This is nothing that we just brought up or nothing that is new. This has been discussed . . . since I was on the Council and Mayor Stevens was in office,” shared Mayor Julian McTizic.
Mayor McTizic stated that Bolivar is a stand alone election meaning that no other election happens in the County during odd years. McTizic said by combining the City of Bolivar Election with a State General Election, voter participation would double and it would save the City of Bolivar money.
It was said that each City of Bolivar election has cost the City around $10,000 to $12,000, but the cost is expected in increase due to new voting equipment. Hardeman County Election Administrator Amber Moore estimated the minimum cost for the next City of Bolivar election would be $15,000. This would cover the cost of the materials and workers. By combining the City’s election with the State’s, the cost to the City would be minimal.
Councilman Chris Williams said he was torn on the issue.
“I understand the pros and I understand the cons of it. The pros are it is a cost savings, and being an elected official, we have to be fiscally responsible with the taxpayer’s money, and also I think that everyone’s in agreeance that we want more voter turnout, but I’m also for transparency and I’m for integrity in the election and I’m for listening to my constituents,” said Councilman Williams, who felt it was too late to make changes for the 2025 election. “I’m not for exchanging a short term gain of $15,000 for long term ripple effects in the City of Bolivar. There’s people in this crowd right now that do not trust some of the members on this board . . . I’m not for exchanging a dollar amount to compromise the integrity of this board [and] the upcoming election. We are six months from petitions being pulled for this election.”
Councilman Williams also expressed his concerns with the vagueness of the agenda item “Discussion of Elections” as he felt it did not give the citizens an accurate representation of what was going to be discussed at the council meeting.
“Saying that we’re going to have a ‘discussion on elections’ is like talking about the weather, it can go a million different ways,” said Councilman Williams.
Councilwoman Caroline Miller shared her thoughts with those in attendance as she addressed Mayor McTizic.
“Timing is everything. It’s no secret that you’re not going to run for mayor next time, you’ve already told us that. So this would extend your term a year and half and that is – I don’t think a coincidence – that’s it’s going to fall in when you plan to run for state representative for Johnny Shaw’s position. We already know that’s what’s happening . . . if you’re going to resign – and then you would have a year and half that you would have to sell insurance or whatever or you could keep doing this job. To me it feels manipulative and it feels self serving and we have been talking about this a long time . . . but the timing of it right now . . . it just doesn’t look right to me and for that reason I can’t support it. It’s a good idea, but it’s too big an idea to have one meeting and we going to vote on it today. There needs to be some public discussion . . . a lot more conversation, it is a big deal. It is changing our charter and you don’t change the constitution willy nilly. And that is my concern, and for that [reason] I can’t support it,” said Councilwoman Miller.
Mayor McTizic responded to her concerns.
“If this was self-serving for me, I would just leave it like it is and run for [re]election. I don’t feel like I’ll have any problem winning re-election and I will just stay in office and resign, but this has nothing to do with me being self-serving, but I respect your opinion,” said Mayor McTizic.
After more discussion, Councilman Larry McKinnie motioned to go into public forum, so the council could hear from the public in attendance. The motion was seconded by Councilman Williams.
Citizens that spoke during the public forum included previous City of Bolivar Mayor Barrett Stevens, Brenda Woods, and Hardeman County Commissioner Bethany Miller.
The Council eventually decided to hold a public hearing sometime in July to allow more time to hear from the citizens. The exact date and time is yet to be decided.
You may watch the full meeting below or by clicking here.
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