April 2023 Election Results, New Elected Officials Sworn In

May 1, 2023

Thank you to all those who voted April 4^th! Regardless of how you vote, we appreciate you taking the time to go to the polls and make democracy work at the local level.

The ¾ cent general sales tax increase to fund the Nixa Police Department was passed by a majority of voters.
All three proposed updates to Nixa’s Home Rule Charter were passed by a majority of voters.

Learn more about the updates to Nixa’s Home Rule Charter.

At the April 24, 2023 council meeting, Jarad Giddens was sworn in as Mayor of Nixa. Giddens gifted a gavel to outgoing Mayor Steele, and Steele gifted a gavel to Mayor Giddens with the intent of establishing a new tradition in which outgoing mayors of Nixa will gift a gavel to the incoming mayor. Four council members were also sworn into office:

Matt Ogden was sworn in for the first full term to which he was elected as a council member for District 1 after previously serving in the seat by appointment to fill a vacancy on the council.
Zern Vess was sworn in for his first term as a council member for District 1.
Darlene Graham was sworn in for her fifth term as council member for District 3.
Kelly Morris was sworn in for her first term as a council member for District 3.

Prior to the start of the April 24^th council meeting, a small ceremony was held in the foyer of City Hall in recognition of Mayor Brian Steele’s years of service to the community. Steele’s final act as Mayor was to present a key to the city to another former mayor of Nixa, Sharon Whitehill, in honor of her many years of service to the community in elected office, at the Nixa Chamber of Commerce, and as a community volunteer. During the council meeting, both Steele and Giddens delivered speeches reflecting on our recent history and progress and looking forward to the future of the community.