THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

The Osage County Commission did not meet as regularly scheduled, Tuesday, March 10, due to the Missouri Presidential Primary Election.

Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin gave on update on the Osage County 911 Advisory Committee's March 4 closed session. It was about the pending law suit filed by the Osage Ambulance District (OAD); and he said it was a very positive meeting. "Everyone feels we're headed in the right direction," he said.

911 Advisory Committee Attorney Gabe Harris said, "Both sides are coming to the table in good faith. We're working toward a solution which benefits the citizens of Osage County."

* Osage County Health Department Administrator Susan Long addressed the commission about the county's actions against the coronavirus. A full story appears on Page 1 of this week’s paper.

* Osage County Building and Grounds Janitorial and Maintenance Worker John Kennedy told the commission the parking lot lights are repaired. Smoke detectors in the Osage County Courthouse and Administration Building have been tested. "Everything checked out okay [in the Administration Building]," he said. "All the strobes work and everything."

The detector on the first floor of the courthouse proved not to be hooked up. Midwest Electronics Systems, Inc. of Columbia, which did the testing, can rewire it. They will work up and send a bid. Once again, connections with the elevator seem to be part of the problem. "It may take a little bit to get it wired back up," said Kennedy.

* Commissioners approved a new 911 pay scale. New call-takers and dispatchers with no experience will make $13.38 per hour. New hires with experience will make $13.88. Experienced new hires with a Telecommunicator certificate, and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Certificate,  Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) certificate and a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) card will make $15.20. All will receive a 2% annual raise. There are also training, night shift, team leader, and emergency shift differentials.

* Osage County Road & Bridge Foreman Ron Kempker announced his crews are hauling a lot of rock. With two weeks of decent weather, the dump trucks and graders have been extremely active. He has had extra graders and trucks working near Meta, especially. "We're trying to fix that situation," he said.

* First District Commissioner John Glavin asked for extra attention on a low water slab on CR 312. Finer chat has been washing away, and he would like some larger rock poured around the structure.

* Glavin also reminded Kempker trees near the Shawnee Creek bridge construction sight on CR 274A must be removed soon. "It's high on the agenda," Kempker assured him.

* Rock has been hauled on CRs 201, 202, 203, 206, 235, 261, 272, 274B, 303, 307, 315, 317, 319, 412, 413, 414, 435, 436, 501, 517, 608, 609, 610, 621, 633, 634, 723, 726, 800, 801, 804, 805, 806, and 807; service has been done on Grader #08, Backhoe #10, and Trucks #26, #29, and #31; and grader operators have been active on CRs 263, 271, 272, 274B, 301, 302, 304, 306, 314, 412, 435, 436, 501, 508, 525, 610, 621, 625, 634, 705, 715, 723, 727, 635, 636, 800, 801, and at mud spots and pot holes on all roads where rock has been hauled.

* Second District Commissioner Larry Kliethermes passed on a proposal from Porter, Berendzen & Associates, P.C., of Ashland, for the architectural designs of repairs to the courthouse. They are not to exceed $8,000, and the price includes everything but the actual repairs. In terms of the repairs which will shortly be put to bid, those have yet to be finalized. The commission will wait to see that proposal before signing this one.

* Commissioners reviewed Sales Tax Distribution notices. The Use Tax has brought in $35,051.14 year to date, down $4,648.20 from 2019. The 911 tax has gained $62,192.29, down $139.66 from 2019. The regular county Sales Tax has accrued $50,040.28, down $1931.20 from 2019. The Administration Building improvement tax has been $30,845.54, down $89.17 from 2019. The Courthouse Improvement Tax has earned $62,192.30, down $137.91 from 2019.

* The "town hall" meeting in Chamois to promote the Osage County 911 Continuation Sales Tax, on the ballot April 4, is scheduled 7 p.m., Thursday, March 19, at Chamois City Hall. It will be at a regular city council meeting.

"I guarantee you there'll be a lot more people at a city council meeting than if we hold it separately," said Glavin.

* Griffin also noted the "town hall" meeting in Westphalia will be at the Lions Club, not the Knights of Columbus Hall, as erroneously published last week.

* A "Town Hall" meeting to discuss the 911 Continuation Tax issue on the April 4 ballot is scheduled 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Annie's Station in Loose Creek.

* A "Town Hall" meeting to discuss the 911 Continuation Tax issue on the April 4 ballot is scheduled 7 p.m. Monday, March 23 in the Osage County Commission Room.

* Tuesday, March 31, is the last day for candidate filing for the Aug. 4 Primary Election.

* The Osage County 911 Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, in the EOC.