Midterm elections next year will garner more attention, although there is an important election in Oronogo, (Missouri) next Tuesday that will determine whether the city will sell its gas utility. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

The small town of Oronogo is located northeast of the Joplin Airport. A 2019 census estimate put its population at about 2,700 residents. In August the Oronogo Board of Alderman voted unanimously to sell the city’s gas utility business for $620,000 to Spire, which is based in St. Louis. According to reporting by WebbCity.net, the city’s mayor, Charles Wilkins said that he has been approached by two firms looking to purchase Oronogo’s gas utility business and that Spire’s was the most competitive.

Mayor Wilkins backs the plan to sell because it will be costly to stay up to date with new regulations, for small towns like Oronogo. If approved by voters, the Missouri Public Service Commission will then appraise the natural gas system to determine that $620,000 is a fair price for both parties. The election takes place next Tuesday, November 2. For 89 9 KRPS, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro