Gladstone claims state law prevents it from electing candidate with unpaid property taxes
GLADSTONE, Mo. (KCTV) - It’s been nearly two weeks since the votes were tallied in Gladstone’s municipal election, but the final outcome remains up in the air.
On April 8, the City of Gladstone held an election for a city council position and, by a narrow margin, Molly Marie Gibson edged out incumbent Bill Garnos.
However, Gibson has yet to be officially elected.
“After consultation with legal counsel, the City’s understanding is that it does not have the authority to declare Ms. Gibson as elected to the office,” the City of Gladstone said in a statement issued Saturday.
The problem? The City says Gibson did not pay her 2024 personal property taxes prior to the election, and she owed the City an outstanding balance. This, the statement explained, conflicts with state law (Section 77.380, RSMo) and City code (1.105.340), which read:
“No person shall be elected or appointed to any office who shall at the time be in arrears for any unpaid city taxes, or forfeiture or defalcation in office.”
Gibson countered this, claiming the “tax matter was handled before the election results were certified,” and that the City of Gladstone is “attempting to block me from taking my seat.”
“[The City] preemptively wrote an ordinance to declare the council seat vacant, and have made their intentions to appoint my opponent clear,” she continued.
In its statement, Gladstone denied having any agency in the situation.
“This is not a situation of the City’s making. The state law that disqualifies individuals with unpaid taxes from holding elected office has been in effect for decades. As a municipality, the City is obligated to uphold state law and does not have the authority to selectively enforce it. Additionally, the circumstances that have led to the application of this law were not initiated or influenced by the City.”
The City concluded that it “Remains committed to maintaining professional and respectful communication throughout this process and s a timely and appropriate legal resolution of this issue.”
Gibson confirmed she plans to take legal action in the matter, which she called a “stunning rejection of local democracy.”
“Paying personal property taxes is a challenge that many hard working Missouri families face,” she said. “Oversight or inability to pay shouldn’t disqualify someone from public service- especially when the voters have already spoken.”
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