BOLIVAR, Mo. — Voters in Bolivar overwhelmingly approved agreeing to contract with Southwest Electric Cooperative for the right to provide power to the city for the next 20 years.

The question, the only one any Polk County voters faced on Tuesday, will formalize an arrangement that has existed for many years, but without a contract.

The unofficial results — 660 in favor and 39 opposed — allow the city to enter a franchise contract with Southwest that allows the utility to use the city’s public rights-of-way, such as streets, alleys and public grounds for installing and maintaining utility infrastructure, according to a news release from the city.

In return, the utility will pay a franchise fee to the city. The city said the contract will not change Bolivar’s current electric service or

See Full Page