In February of 2002, Bill Yoss filed to run for mayor of the City of Leonard and won the election as an unopposed candidate. Only one time in the ten years he has served has he been opposed at the polls - and that was eight years ago. Yoss has said for a handful of years now that he would not run again when a viable candidate showed an interest to fill the Mayor's position. Recently, Willie Johnson - who Yoss had talked to on occasion about this very matter - did just that. Yoss has officially withdrawn himself from candidacy from the Mayoral race, with Johnson and anybody else who files left on the ballot.
When Yoss took the reigns in 2002, the city budget was around $600,000 per year and now it has grown to $1,100,000 per year. The population has also grown by 20% in the ten years and several new businesses have opened their doors or remodeled.
Other improvements taking place during his tenure include the addition of several businesses that have branched out or began, including Sonic, Dollar General, Family Dollar, City Auto Parts, Bear Creek Country Store, Florentina’s and Circle Star Quick Lube to name a few with Kwik Chek, Leonard Service Center, Lea’s Restaurant, Dairy Queen and Crossroads Hardware all making major renovations.
