Bolivar council votes 4–3 to keep municipal elections in May

Bolivar City Council voted 4–3 to maintain municipal elections in May after debating two ordinances (2024003 and 2024004) that would have shifted some or all council terms to align with the November general election.

At a first reading the mayor presented three options: take no action (keeping elections in May), approve ordinance 2024003 (which would extend terms for some members and move those seats to November 2028), or approve ordinance 2024004 (which would extend different sets of terms to align some seats with November 2026). "I make a motion that we don't do anything," Miss Miller said, urging that such a significant change to the city's election schedule should have a clear mandate and possibly be decided by the next council.

Supporters of changing the election date argued aligning with state timing could improve grant coordination and save administrative costs. "I think we need to get with the program," Golden said, citing potential savings and favorable state relationships. A different council member cautioned that state action is not guaranteed and cited a separate legal example: Nashville successfully sued the state over a different municipal reorganization, signaling legal risk if a state mandate were used to force local changes.

Council voted; the mayor announced that the motion to leave the current May election schedule in place carried by a 4–3 margin. The record shows the motion to take no action was moved by Miss Miller and seconded by Miss McKinney. The council did not adopt either ordinance at this meeting; both were presented for first reading and public hearing would be required for ordinance adoption in later proceedings.