Mayor Joe Paul (J. P. ) Evans was first elected in 1999 for a four-year term. Reelected in April 2007, his term will expire in April 2011. Mayor Evans oversees the Police, Fire, Health, Legal, Municipal Court, Animal Control, Economic Development, Planning & Zoning, emergency management, building inspector, and Safety/Public Information departments for the City of West Plains. He can be reached by calling 417-256-7176, 417-256-4433 or by e-mail at jpevans@email.com.

Mayor Pro-Tem Jack Pahlmann was first elected in 2000 and reelected in 2004 for an additional four year term. Jack is responsible for city hall administration, purchasing and warehouse, and housing authority. He can be reached at 417-256-6044 or by e-mail at ozarker73@gmail.com.

Councilman Jim Goss was elected for a two-year term in 1984 and again for a four-year term in 1995. In 2003 he was appointed to fill an unexpired term, and was reelected in 2006. Jim has been assigned to the following departments: Parks, Transit, Senior Citizens, Winter Sports Complex, Library, Tourist Development and Golf Course.  He can be reached by calling 417-256-7401 or by e-mail at jim191@centurytel.net.

Councilman Bob Burtrum was first elected in 1999 for a four-year term. Reelected in 2007, his term will expire in April 2011. Bob has been assigned to the following departments: Street, Cemetery, Airport, Shop, Street Construction. He can be reached by calling 417-256-2697 or 417-256-5071

Councilman Louis M. Citro (Lou) was first elected in 1997 for a four year term and then re-elected in 2001 and 2005.. His term will expire in April 2009. Lou has been assigned to the following departments: Golf, Engineering, Engineering Construction, Refuse, Electric, and Water/Sewer, Wastewater Departments. He also serves on the Planning Commission Board as Council representative. He can be reached by calling 417-256-9266 or e-mail at citro@centurytel.net.

Election Process: There are four councilpersons and one mayor elected at large with four-year terms. The filing time for a position on the city council is generally mid-October through mid-November. (Exact times are publicly noticed.) If there are more than two candidates for a position, a primary is held on the first Tuesday in February. The general election is held on the first Tuesday in April. City Council meets as soon as possible after this election, certifies the election results, swears in new members and makes council appointments.