Qualifying fees set for Gainesville city elected posts

Municipal qualifying fees have been set for the November 2 election in Gainesville for the mayor, city council members and school board members.

For the Gainesville City School Board, District 1, currently held by Andy Stewart, and District 4, currently held by Dr. Heather Ramsey, are both open. Stewart and Ramsey both were elected in 2017.

The fees to qualify for the school board seats are $174.60. "This calculation is based on the formula that the state requires us to use, and based on information that was provided by your finance director," said Denise Jordan, Gainesville city clerk, at this week's school board work session.

In the city, Wards 1 and 4 are also up for election. Sam Couvillon and George Wangemann, respectively, occupy those seats on city council. The mayor's post, currently held by Danny Dunagan, will also be on the ballot. Qualifying fees for city council are higher, with council members needing $819 to qualify and the mayor needing $864 to qualify.

In 2014, the mayoral position became an elected post; prior to that, the mayor's job responsibility rotated among council members. Dunagan is the only person to have been elected to that role. Wangemann, however, has announced he will challenge Dunagan for the mayoral job.

Qualifying dates for all posts are August 16, 17 and 18. A more detailed notice for qualifying is set for July or August.