A new era of leadership is coming to the city of Cassville.

For the first time since 2012, Bill Shiveley’s name is not on the April ballot for Cassville mayor.

Predating my 2014 arrival, Bill has served the city honorably and with great dedication, which is all anyone can ask of a public servant.

On of the big points of emphasis in the more than decade of Shiveley’s service has been a term I had never heard before arriving in Cassville — I and I (inflow and infiltration). For many years, the city’s sewer lines had been struggling, outdated and eroded, allowing runoff to enter the sewer system and forcing the city to process runoff through the treatment plant. At every meeting for years, Shiveley would ask what the I and I was, and in the last year, the city has completed a years-planned sewer project aimed at decreasing the figure.

While it may not be the most visible accomplishment — it is underground after all — the sewer project and Shiveley’s persistence and success in limiting I and I is a great benefit to the city’s operations.

Another thing I’ll miss is a tick I’m not sure he’s aware he has, or maybe he does. Anyone who talks to Shiveley and pays attention to words might catch his most-used phrase, “In there.” Without doubt, he says the phrase at least a dozen times every city council meeting, typically at the end of a sentence.

As many council and board meetings I have attended in my career, none have been as consistent as Bill Shiveley, and I hope he’s proud of his service to the city.

Bill, you did a good job “in there!”

With Shiveley stepping down, the mayoral race was wide open for this election, yet the outcome is the most obvious.

Jon Horner, Cassville banker and member of too many boards to name without leaving one out, is the longest-serving alderman on the council, first elected in 2015. I don’t think anyone is the least bit surprised he is unopposed for Shiveley’s spot.

And frankly, I think any challenger would have a hard time beating him. If there is a vote for Mr. Cassville, his name would certainly be near or at the top of the list.

With Horner will be a relatively new group of city leaders. Taylor Weaver, south ward alderwoman, is now the most-tenured council member, first elected in 2019. The other south ward alderman, Justin Gates, began serving in 2023.

Zane LeCompte, whose grandfather Bill LeCompte ended an 18-year mayoral service 40 years ago this month, was elected in the north ward in 2024. And rejoining the council after having served one term previously is Mike Phillips.

Beyond elected positions, Horner has relative newcomers in city administrative positions. Richard Asbill, former Cassville schools superintendent, was hired in 2024 as city administrator. He and Horner worked together for many years while he was superintendent and Horner on the school board.

Police Chief Donnie Privett had been a sergeant at the Cassville Police Department for many years, but he was only appointed chief in 2023.

Monzell Hagins, city finance officer, started in 2021, and Cherry Bailey began working for the city in 2014, employed in multiple clerking positions before being appointed city clerk in 2020.

The newest member of the Cassville team is still an unknown, as the public works director position is currently vacant after the recent departure of David Brock.

I point all this out to say, opportunity knocks. Cassville has some hefty projects coming down the pike, including the pedestrian bridge along Highway 112 and vehicular bridge on 7th Street, both leading to the Cassville City Park. A major airport project is nearing fruition, and a water project meant to follow the sewer work is now receiving piecemeal attention.

Financially, the city is in better and better position, as sales tax receipts have been growing year-by-year — and at a faster rate than surrounding cities — and the city’s use tax passed after two votes is bringing in more than originally expected.

City residents on Tuesday also have an opportunity to raise the budget by about $150,000 if they approve a 3% sales tax on adult-use, recreational marijuana sold at the Cassville Dispensary, which the city recently annexed into its limits.

The annexation itself means the city will already collect about $140,000 annually from its sales taxes alone, and the proposed 3% tax on adult-use marijuana is already being levied by the county. If approved, it would transition to the city instead, as only one entity can levy the tax.

Whether you use recreational marijuana or not, if you’re a resident of Cassville, it seems like a no-brainer to pass the measure.

Most of Cassville’s city projects are part of a long-running capital projects plan, and I’m excited to see what direction the city’s new leadership will go with so many new funding opportunities and tourism-driven sales tax dollars increasing.

Yes, opportunity knocks, and in the words of our outgoing mayor — there’s plenty that needs to be done “in there.”

Kyle Troutman has served as editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014 and owner/publisher since 2023. He was named William E. James/Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist for daily newspapers in 2017, and he is a two-time ISWNE Golden Dozen award winner. He may be reached at 417-847-2610 or ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com.