June 6th Joint Mitchell City-School Board election and ballot measure results

A strong turnout for Tuesday’s Mitchell joint city/school board and ballot issue election.

In Ward Four incumbent Councilor Susan Tjarks won another term outlasting opponent Don Everson 505 votes to 476.

In a three-way race in Ward Three, Mike Bathke was the top vote getter with 317 votes followed by Kimberly Lofgren with 235 and Jason Bates 105.

Mitchell School District voters approved a $17-million dollar bond issue to pay for new athletic facilities by an 82 percent to 18 percent margin. It took a 60 percent super majority to pass.

Mitchell City voters approved the sale of eight city-owned lots on the shore of Lake Mitchell. The final count was 1641 yes to 1273 no. It took a simple majority to pass. Proceeds from the sale will go toward Lake Mitchell restoration.

Meanwhile, Mitchell School District voters elected Deb Everson to a three-year term on the Mitchell School Board by a margin of 1713 to 1629 for incumbent Matt Christiansen.

Davison County Auditor Susan Kiepke described the voter turnout of 27 percent school and 33 percent city as unprecedented for a stand alone city/school board election.