Greene County Commission taking applications for interim sheriff

Sheriff Jim Arnott was recently nominated to serve as U.S. marshal for the Western District of Missouri.

The Greene County Commission is now accepting applications for an interim sheriff. 

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on April 15, according to a news release. The county has set up a web page for submissions. 

 "The Greene County Commission is following Missouri state statutes exactly as they are written and is acting on the legal guidance of the county counselor throughout this process," Greene County's commissioners said in the release. "We are committed to being fully transparent with the citizens of Greene County. Every resume will be made publicly available, and we will ensure there is a smooth and lawful transition that protects public safety. The people of Greene County deserve to know how their next sheriff is being selected, and we intend to make sure they have every opportunity to see this process firsthand." 

The interim process comes as Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott awaits U.S. Senate approval to serve a four-year term as U.S. marshal for the Western District of Missouri. Arnott, who was first elected sheriff in 2008, was recently tapped for the federal position by President Donald Trump.  

The interim sheriff would serve until an election is held, with the winner completing Arnott's term ending Dec. 31, 2028, according to the release. 

The timing of the election for the next full-term sheriff depends on when Arnott is confirmed, according to the release. If the vacancy occurs within nine months of a general election, the sheriff's race would be on the general election ballot. If it's more than nine months before a general election, the commission would be required to call a special election. 

Separate from election timing, the candidate filing process depends on statutory deadlines. State statute provides that if the vacancy took place 14 days or more from the last day of candidate filing for the Aug. 4 primary election, which is March 31, the primary would go ahead as is typical, said Greene County Commission public information officer Robert Jehle. But, he said, the U.S. Senate is not expected to confirm Arnott in that time frame, which ends today. 

If the vacancy occurs after March 17 but before the Aug. 4 election, according to the release, the regular primary filing window will have closed, meaning candidates would not go through a traditional primary and instead would be selected by party committees for the Nov. 3 ballot. If the confirmation process extends beyond into late fall or beyond, the commission would call a special election at a later date.