The stage is set for Tuesday’s City Elections in Audubon County. When voters head to the polls, residents of Audubon will be choosing a new Mayor, as Sam Kauffman has decided not to seek re-election. Kauffman has served the community for 30-years, and prior to that, was a city councilman for a little more than seven and one-half years. Barbara Jacobsen is the only candidate to have filed papers to be the City’s next Mayor.

There are also three seats up for election on the Audubon City Council. Brad Hemmingsen, who is currently filling out a vacancy created by the retirement of Tom Nielsen, is on the ballot for a two-year term ending in 2017. Robert A. Jacobsen and John Whetzal III are both running for re-election, while former Audubon councilman Andy Griffifth is hoping to unseat one of the two incumbents and return to service on the council.

In Brayton, incumbent Mayor Cally Christensen is unopposed in her bid to retain the title. Steve Fister, Tanya Marshall and Steven L. Sykes are running to fill three, four-year terms on the council, while David L. Hansen is running to fill a two-year vacancy term ending in 2017. Voters in Brayton will also be asked to approve a public measure that would increase the tax levy in order to pay the Audubon County Sheriff’s Department for police protection, in lieu of having their own police force, as required by State Code. The levy will not exceed $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation.

In Exira, Mayor Brenda Bengard is unopposed for re-election, and Michelle Phippen is on the ballot to retain the vacancy term she was appointed to, following the death of Jeff Jensen. The term will expire in 2017. Peggy Toft and Mike Huegerich have filed to run for the city Council in Exira, with a third seat left open for a write-in candidate, if available.

In Gray, there are three seats open on the City Council, with Penny Schmidt the only candidate whose name will appear on the ballot. No one has filed to run for the two-year Mayor’s term, in Gray.

There’s also no candidate for the Mayor’s position in Kimballton, where one seat on the city council is also open. Justin Larsen will appear on the ballot for re-election to another four-year term, along with Millette Shores, who hopes to finish out a two-year vacancy term she is currently serving.

Write-in votes for any open ballot positions would win by a simple majority. The candidate who receives the most votes wins, with ties determined by the Board of Supervisors through a drawing of lots.