Elkin will seek re-election to Boone County Commission

COLUMBIA — Incumbent Skip Elkin announced he will seek re-election to a third term as Boone County Northern District commissioner in 2008.

Elkin lost a bid for the 21st District seat in the Missouri House of Representatives in 2006 to incumbent Republican Steve Hobbs of Mexico. He’s now set his sights back on Boone County.

“We’ve made progress in job creation, economic development and health and human services, and we’ve also made government more user-friendly through investing in new technology,” Elkin said in a news release on Monday. “I want to continue making a positive difference in the lives of all Boone County citizens.”

One of Elkin’s top priorities in his re-election bid are county roads and bridges. He applauded county voters’ approval in November of a 10-year extension of the county’s half-cent sales tax for roads.

“I want to continue improving Boone County’s roads and bridges and ensuring that we continue to have one of the top Public Works Departments in the state,” he said.

Another priority is maintaining the fiscal responsibility of county government.

“We need to make sure when we talk about tax increases, we talk to citizens,” he said. “We need to make sure we’re meeting the goals and needs of unaffected county government.”

Elkin, Presiding Commissioner Ken Pearson and Southern District Commissioner Karen Miller have been discussing with County Auditor June Pitchford the idea of increasing the county’s property tax by 2 cents in fiscal 2008. That would help the county cover an anticipated election expense of $900,000 and make up for lackluster sales tax revenue.

Elkin looks to use the same “vigorous, grass-roots campaign” style that he used in 2000 and 2004. He said any opponent should be ready.

“These elected positions are not entitlements,” he said. “We need to work on the campaign trail like we do in office.”

Asked whether he might make another bid for the state legislature any time soon, Elkin turned attention back to the county.

“I am focused on the Boone County Commission,” he said, “and I will continue to serve the constituents in Boone County.”

Miller, meanwhile, said she’ll wait until February to announce her intentions. Miller has been Southern District commissioner since 1993.

“I’m letting people have their Christmas,” Miller said. “There is a lot of work to get done before filing.”

Elkin earned a marketing degree from William Woods University and is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He lives in Hallsville with his wife, Lucy, and two daughters, Kathryn and Alex.

Miller received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Stephen’s College in 2006. She lives in Columbia with her significant other, David Brown.