Voters in Okarche Tuesday night approved a proposal to add two new trustees to town government in a special election, unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board show.
Voters approved the proposal for more trustees with 109 voters, 85.83% in favor to 18 voters, 14.17% opposed.
Currently, there are three trustees. Two positions will be added, and the existing trustees, Mayor Jeff Sadler, trustees Jason Kroener and Jeff Brueggen will decide whether the additional trustees will represent wards or serve at-large positions.
Kroener was not surprised the proposal was overwhelmingly approved.
“As I stated before, having a larger board with more diverse thought and input into the governance of the community is a step in the right direction.”
Kroener said residents have said they want more trustees on the board.
“I think the ballot question of expanding the town board from three to five trustees easily passing is not a surprise to many,” Kroener said Wednesday. “I feel when the people of this town look back at some decisions over the past decade and also look forward at some very important decisions that must be made having a quorum with two people isn’t in the best interest of our community.”
