21-04-2025
Unpaid taxes may block Gladstone City Council winner from taking office, city says
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Molly Gibson won the Gladstone City Council seat in April's municipal election – but now the city says she may not be allowed to take office.
'On April 8th I was honored to be elected to the Gladstone City Council, but now that right is being threatened,' Gibson said in a Facebook post Friday.
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She said the city is attempting to block her from taking her seat after she defeated 13-year incumbent and former mayor, Bill Garnos.
After the election, the City of Gladstone said it was made aware that Gibson had not paid her 2024 personal property taxes before the election, including an outstanding balance owed to the city.
Section 77.380, RSMo, and City Code Section 1.105.340 both state, 'No person shall be elected or appointed to any office who shall at the time be in arrears for any unpaid city taxes.'
After consulting with legal counsel, the city said it 'does not have the authority to declare Ms. Gibson as elected to office.'
In a news release, a spokesperson for Gibson called this a 'stunning rejection of local democracy.'
'This is about more than one seat,' Gibson said. 'It's about whether the people of Gladstone get to choose their leaders—or whether those in power get to choose for them.'
She said voters deserve better than backroom decisions and political games.
'Paying personal property taxes is a challenge that many hard working Missouri families face,' Gibson said on Facebook. 'Oversight or inability to pay shouldn't disqualify someone from public service – especially when the voters have already spoken.'
She said the delinquent tax matter was handled immediately, before the election results were certified.
'However, the city preemptively declared the council seat vacant, and have made their intentions to appoint my opponent clear,' she said.
'This is not a situation of the city's making,' the city said in a press release sent out Saturday. '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.'
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FOX4 reached out to the city to ask who or what organization brought this matter to its attention, if it was not initiated by the city. We are awaiting a response.
Gibson said she is taking legal action to 'uphold the will of the voters,' and she is asking for the community's support.
'Legal fees are expensive, and the fight ahead won't be easy, but it is worth it,' Gibson said on Facebook. 'I am asking you to stand with me.'
The city council said it has not taken any formal action on this issue. However, according to the press release issued by Gibson's team, the city manager has said that the city council may choose to leave Garnos in place until the next election.
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