Grandview aldermen approve placing mayor, alderman term-length questions on Nov. 4 ballot

At a meeting of the City of Grandview Board of Aldermen, the board voted 4-2 to adopt Ordinance 7601, which places two separate questions on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot that would increase the length of the mayor’s and the board of aldermen’s terms from two years to four years if voters approve.

The ordinance was introduced as Bill 7,864 and advanced through first and second readings before final passage. The board’s final roll call on the ordinance recorded four votes in favor and two opposed; the ordinance was assigned number 7,601 after the vote.

Why it matters: Increasing term lengths would change the cadence of municipal elections in Grandview and could affect how often voters go to the polls for local offices. Board members debated potential cost savings and the timing and structure of the ballot questions, and staff discussed how the city will inform voters about the change.

Board discussion and clarifications Alderman Maloney asked about election costs, saying, “have we determined how much this election is gonna cost?” City staff responded that the exact cost was not yet known and that the county would likely share some of the expense. Staff said the city has until 5:00 p.m. next Tuesday for outside groups or other jurisdictions to file items for the same ballot, which affects final costs. In describing a ballpark estimate, a staff speaker said the city “regularly…spend[s] between $15,000 to $2,528,000 dollars,” and reiterated that a final figure is not yet available.

Board members also pressed staff on the ballot format. Officials said state law requires the questions for mayor and aldermen be handled separately, so the two office terms appear as two distinct items on the ballot. A staff speaker explained that if voters approve a four-year term for the mayor but not for aldermen, the city would still hold elections for aldermen every two years, and the election schedule would not be consolidated automatically.

Municipal judge terms Board members asked how changes to elected terms would affect the municipal judge. Staff said state law requires a municipality that has a municipal court to have a municipal judge who is a member in good standing of the state bar and who serves a term of no fewer than two years. Staff explained that the board could change the judge’s term by municipal ordinance without sending that change to voters.

Public information plan When asked how the city would educate voters, Jamal (staff member) said the city will use its usual tools: “we put out fact sheets,” Q&As and coordination with the communications team. Jamal said the city could use a website, mailers or other channels and that the county will also mail election notices to registered voters.

Formal actions and votes The board advanced Bill 7,864 through readings and approved it for final passage. On final passage the motion was moved by Alderman Randolph and seconded by Alderman Roussy; the roll call vote was: Alderman Randolph, yes; Alderman Roussy, yes; Alderman Maloney, no; Alderman Kendrick, yes; Alderman Turnbaugh, no; Alderman Jones, yes. The ordinance was recorded as Ordinance No. 7,601.

What the ordinance does next Because Ordinance 7,601 calls for the questions to appear on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot, voters will decide whether to extend the mayor’s and the aldermen’s terms from two years to four years. If voters approve, the terms will increase; if not, terms will remain at two years. Staff emphasized that final election costs will depend on what other items are filed for the same ballot and on the county’s cost-sharing arrangements.

The board adjourned after passage of the ordinance.