What to know about the Boone special elections for sheriff, City Council and school funding

Teresa Kay Albertson, Ames Tribune
·4 min read

Boone County voters will have their say in three special elections this spring. Here's what you need to know before going to the polls.

When will the special elections be held in Boone County?

On March 7, voters will decide whether to extend the 10-year Madrid Community School District Physical, Plant and Equipment Levy.

On March 21, voters will elect a new at-large City Council member and a Boone County sheriff.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election days.

More:Canadian company moves to Boone to help farmers deflate tires, prevent soil compaction

Why are these races being held?

The Madrid Community School District's PPEL election is held to renew the funding for another 10 years. If not renewed, the current PPEL funding will expire June 30, 2024.

In addition to the renewal, the district is asking voters whether to approve an increase in the property tax levy that funds it, to $1.34 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation from $1 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation. In order to provide property tax relief, the district has proposed funding a portion of PPEL through an income surtax.

Andy Godzicki
Andy Godzicki

The Boone County Sheriff special election is being held because residents were successful in their petition drive to require a special election for a new sheriff. The Boone County Auditor's Office received the petition on Monday and certified 2,019 signatures. The minimum required was 1,120.

Former Sheriff Gregg Elsberry retired in December with two years left on his term. The Boone County Board of Supervisors had chosen Andy Godzicki to serve out the term, but the election will be held instead.

Former Boone City Council member Steven Ray resigned his position on the council effective Dec. 31, 2022.
Former Boone City Council member Steven Ray resigned his position on the council effective Dec. 31, 2022.

The Boone City Council seat opened at the end of 2022 when at-large council member Steve Ray resigned.

Who is running for Boone County sheriff, City Council?

Both Godzicki and Deputy Cory Rose have previously said they will run for the sheriff's seat.

Boone resident Patrick Andrew Shaw announced on a private Facebook page that he is running for the City Council seat. Shaw did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

As of Thursday evening, no one had submitted candidate paperwork to officially be on the ballot for the sheriff or City Council races, according to the county auditor's office and the Boone City Clerk.

How can someone in Boone become a candidate?

Because the sheriff's position is a political race, Emily Craig with the Boone County's Auditor's Office said she expects political parties will nominate someone for the ballot.

Otherwise, to run for sheriff as non-party candidate, a person must submit a nomination petition with signatures of least 1% of registered voters in the county as of July 1, 2022. At least 193 signatures must be certified, Craig said.

Boone residents can become a candidate for City Council by filing a nomination petition with at least 25 signatures to the city clerk's office.

Nomination papers for both seats are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 24.

What else do I need to know about these races?

The Madrid Community School District has relied on PPEL funding for 15 years to manage the school district.

Monies brought in for PPEL can only be spent for specific purposes like construction, grounds improvements or new technology and equipment. If approved at the new rate, the PPEL would generate $233,977 per year based on 2021 property valuations.

The winner of the sheriff's race will serve for two years, when Elsberry's term was up. Three Boone County deputies submitted their applications to the supervisors in December when the sheriff retired, including Godzicki, Rose and Chief Deputy Cole Hoffman. Hoffman has not publicly said whether he will run.

Boone Sheriff Deputy Dallas Wingate is pictured with his K9 officer Bandit in 2018. Wingate and Bandit were instrumental in locating the convicted murderer of Iowa State University golfer Celia Barquin Arozamena in 2018. Wingate has submitted his resignation to the Boone County Supervisors and is under investigation by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation after being placed on administrative leave Aug. 31, 2022. Wingate's most recent K9 partner, Bear, died while in Wingate's custody on Sept. 2, 2022.

The sheriff's office is clouded by the death of K-9 officer Bear. Bear was found dead after he was left inside Sgt. Dallas Wingate's truck for 22 hours in September. Wingate resigned after the incident and an investigation is ongoing.

The winning Boone City Council candidate will face challenges this year as the city continues to grapple with whether to build a multi-million dollar recreation and wellness center. Regardless of who wins the at-large seat, the winner will face election again in November.

Teresa Kay Albertson covers politics, crime, courts and local government in Ames and central Iowa for the Ames Tribune and Des Moines Register. Reach her on Twitter @TeresaAlberts11 and at talbertson@registermedia.com, 515-419-6098.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Boone County special election for sheriff, City Council, school funds