Joplin councilwoman Kate Spencer resigns

(City of Joplin) — Joplin Mayor Doug Lawson is announcing the resignation of Councilmember Kate Spencer from the nine-member Council. Spencer was elected to a General Seat in 2022.

“Kate contacted me today about resigning her seat and explained it is for the sake of her family and her need to put her family and children first,” said Lawson. “I understand this and accept her resignation. On behalf of the Council, I want to thank her for her service to our community, the City, and fellow council members. We wish her well.”

Spencer requested that her resignation be effective immediately.

According to the City Charter, Article II, Section 2.05, the remaining two years of Spencer’s General Seat will now be up for election at the April 2, 2024 election. Because Spencer’s General Seat will only be up for the unexpired term of two years, it will be elected separately from and will not compete with the other two General Seats, which are up for full four-year terms. Interested individuals will declare which seat they are running for when they pick up the nominating petitions from the City Clerk’s office.

Nominating petitions are available starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, from the City Clerk’s office on the second floor of City Hall. Petitions must be returned to the City Clerk by 5 p.m., Tuesday, January 9, 2024, to be eligible for the April 2, 2024 election. All candidates must follow the election guidelines set forth by the City’s Code of Ordinances that the City Clerk will provide to them.

This can also be found at https://www.joplinmo.org/DocumentCenter/View/11837/City-Council-Election-Guidelines-Booklet-2024. For more information, contact the City Clerk at 417-624-0820, ext. 1220.