Britt, Warren run for eastern district commissioner seat after Collins retires


Jim Britt Candidate for Eastern District Commissioner

Michael Warren Candidate for Eastern District Commissioner
The two separate positions of eastern district county commissioner and western district county commissioner are up for election this year.
Duties are the same for both positions, but each commissioner respectively manages their own side of the county.
Incumbent Layne Nance is running unopposed in the Primary for the western district seat.
Longtime eastern district commissioner Gary Collins has announced that he is retiring at the end of the year. In response, two new candidates have filed for the eastern district commissioner seat, Jim Britt and Michael Warren.
The county commissioners are responsible for overseeing the county’s road and bridge crews, which maintain the county roads and county road bridges, meet weekly with the presiding commissioner (a position currently held by Terry Newton) to conduct county business including preparing the county’s annual budget, approving expenditures, applying for state and federal grants and conducting other county business.
Each commissioner elected from a district must reside in that district.
The position’s salary is $29,997.72 each, per year, and the terms begin Jan. 1, 2025.
Jim Britt
Eastern district commissioner candidate
Personal information:
My name is Jim Britt, and I have lived in Ozark County most of my life. I am married to my childhood sweetheart Tina (Hambelton), whom I met while attending Sunday School class at Lilly Ridge General Baptist Church when we were 5 years old. Together, we have four grown children ranging in age from 22-31. We have one precious granddaughter, and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our second this fall.
Employment history:
I currently serve on the WRVEC Board of Directors, a position I have held since September of 2023. Earlier this year, I retired from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, after 28 years of service. The last 23 years, I spent serving the citizens of Ozark County. In 2002, I was promoted to Assistant Zone Supervisor of Zone 5, Douglas and Ozark County. In that role, part of my administrative duties included such tasks as reviewing/correcting various reports such as traffic citations, arrest reports, time records, etc, as well as completing yearly employee evaluations. I believe my 22 years of supervisory experience has given me the opportunity and ability to not only deal with numerous different personalities and issues, but it has also given me the confidence to handle difficult situations when they arise.
Educational background:
I attended school from K-12 at Gainesville R-V school district. I am a 1990 graduate of Gainesville High School. After high school, I received an associates degree in criminal justice from Mineral Area College prior to becoming a Missouri state trooper. Over my 28 year career, I received numerous hours of continuing education, ranging from computer-based training, interpersonal perspective, anti-bias training, conflict and dispute resolution, work place diversity, leadership/supervision skills, etc. Just this summer, I attended the NRECA summer school and received my credentialed cooperative director certificate. As part of that training, I attended classes which included topics such as strategic planning and financial decision making.
Biggest challenges facing the position:
Like most businesses these days, I believe some of the biggest challenges for Ozark County is dealing with economic growth and employment. I believe our current commissioners have done an excellent job for the county. If elected, I look forward to working with them on such issues, learning from their experiences and hopefully bring in a new set of eyes and ideas. I have NO agenda, just a desire to continue serving the citizens of Ozark County.
Greatest strengths of county:
The people! Working as a state trooper, and with my wife being a school teacher, we had the opportunity to live and work anywhere in the state of Missouri. We CHOSE to live in Ozark County and raise our family here. This always has been, and always will be HOME.
What distinguishes you from your opponent:
I have only had the opportunity to meet my opponent recently. While I enjoyed meeting and visiting with him, I do not feel as though I know him well enough to say what distinguishes us apart. What I will say is that I have a great desire to continue serving the citizens of this great county. Most all of my adult life has been spent in public service. While I was ready for my law enforcement career to end, I still feel the need to serve and be involved in our community.
Michael Warren
Eastern district commissioner candidate
Personal information:
I was raised in Ozark County. I grew up on my family’s dairy farm in Dora, where I still reside. I have been married 20 years to my wife, Autumn, and have 3 children.
Employment history:
I am currently self-employed on our beef farm. I have been a diesel mechanic, hauled and ran many types of equipment.
I understand the value of hard work, the importance of sustainable practices, and the need for community-led growth. As a mechanic and equipment operator, I understand the day-to-day operations needed for this position.
Educational background:
I have an associate degree in diesel mechanics, along with a bachelor’s in organizational leadership and business management
Biggest challenges facing the position:
Dirt road maintenance, sheriff’s office and communication. Prioritizing calls according to severity and importance, working with the sheriff’s department to meet the needs of the law enforcement that serves our community, available to meet and discuss issues with the citizens of eastern Ozark County.
Greatest strengths of county:
The great people of Ozark County.
What distinguishes you from your opponent:
As a neighbor, I understand the importance of maintaining our roads, not just for convenience but for safety and economic vitality.