OSAGE COUNTY — Road funding decisions, close election results, and ongoing policy questions were among the top issues discussed by Osage County commissioners during meetings held last week, April 7 and 9, reflecting a mix of immediate operational concerns and longer-term uncertainty facing the county.

Road maintenance and infrastructure costs dominated the discussion, with commissioners approving both a revised inter-county agreement and a new fuel surcharge for contractors as expenses continue to rise.

The commission approved a revised road maintenance agreement with Maries County involving a swap between Turkey Hill Road and CR 542. Under the three-year agreement, Osage County will pay $1,885 annually for Maries County to maintain approximately eight-tenths of a mile of roadway.

The figure was negotiated down from an initial proposal of $2,400 after Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin questioned the cost per mile compared to previous agreements.

“I think the $2,400 is too much,” Griffin said.

Commissioners recalculated the rate and determined the lower figure more accurately reflected the value of the work.

Western District Commissioner Dale Logan said the agreement remains beneficial overall.

Officials noted the arrangement improves efficiency by reducing unnecessary travel for road crews. Osage County will continue maintaining approximately 1.4 miles for Maries County, while Maries County will take on additional mileage, including the eight-tenths of a mile covered under the new payment.

Each county will be responsible for materials such as rock and culvert pipes for their own road, upon request from the other county.

• Commissioners pushed back on a similar arrangement with Gasconade County because the contract stated each county would purchase and haul rock for the road they are taking over, rather than the road they own. Commissioners agreed the responsibility to provide materials should belong to the county that owns the road, as in the agreement with Maries County.

• Logan said the county may need to delay chip-and-seal work on CR 501 until after the Hwy. 63 bypass is complete due to heavy construction traffic anticipated on the road.

Logan said he had spoken with Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Director Ed Hassinger about limiting contractors’ use of local roads.

According to Logan, MoDOT indicated that contractors can be directed away from certain routes, though final decisions will depend on project design and planning. Hassinger told Logan he would speak to the design team.

“I think maybe we should hold off, at least, for sure, until we hear from MoDOT,” Logan said. “I think we may want to hold off on the chip and seal on 501, until after that bypass is done.”

• Logan said construction on the Pentecostal Bridge is progressing steadily, with drilling operations reaching bedrock slightly earlier than expected.

“They’re moving right along,” Logan said.

• Equipment use and staffing shortages were also discussed in connection with road operations. Commissioners considered whether to sell underutilized equipment, including a Kenworth truck and a belly dump trailer, noting that some equipment has remained unused for extended periods.

“It’s been sitting for nine months, not moved,” Griffin said.

At the same time, commissioners expressed hesitation about selling certain assets, particularly the trailer, citing concerns about replacement costs and potential financial loss.

Officials also pointed to ongoing staffing shortages as a factor limiting equipment use.

No final decision was made on equipment sales, with commissioners indicating they may revisit the issue as staffing levels improve.

• Beyond infrastructure, commissioners also discussed broader financial concerns, including potential changes to Missouri’s tax structure. Sheriff Michael Bonham raised concerns about proposals to shift from income taxes to consumption-based taxes.

“The people that need the relief the most are going to get hurt the worst,” Bonham said.

Commissioners echoed concerns about the potential impact on lower-income residents and small businesses.

“It’s just things can be harsh on the smaller business,” Griffin said.

• Interim Osage County Clerk Brooke Dudenhoeffer presented preliminary, uncertified election results and emphasized that outcomes could change following review of provisional ballots.

Several races were decided by narrow margins, including at least one tie at the time of the meeting. A school-related measure was separated by just four votes, placing it within potential recount thresholds.

“There are lots of races, lots of candidates that were very close,” she said.

Dudenhoeffer explained that recounts are not automatic and must be requested through the court, with different thresholds applying depending on the type of race or ballot issue.

“If the school board requests a recount… they have to go through the court to do that,” she said.

• Eastern District Commissioner Jeff Peters extended thanks for Brian Deeken for doing some welding at the Hwy 100 property free of charge.

• Hoffman told commissioners the old road grader sold for $47,000.

• Officials also noted an upcoming Memorial Day event honoring a Civil War veteran buried in Chamois.

ROAD & BRIDGE

No representative from Road and Bridge was present at last week’s meetings, however a report provided showed quarry rock was hauled on 201 (19.2), 202 (65.61), CR 303 (17.34T), 412 (668.73), & 622 (310.41); road work was done on CR 402, 412, & 622; ditch work was done on CR 622; potholes were filled on Old Hwy 50/Loose Creek Hwy ; trees were removed on CR 205, 244, 275, & 303; brush mowers were working on CR 301, 311, 311A, 312, 313, & 314; and grader operators were active as follows: G01 (401, 411, 412, 602, 604), G02 (711), G03 (201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 209, 302, 303, 304, 306, 309, 309A), G04 (512, 516, 517, 532, 533, 541, 622, 623, 625, 632), G05 (421, 431, 432, 731), G06 (315, 318, 319, 321).

• Truck T49 (2015 Kenworth T800) was serviced out of house.

• Contact was received from citizens regarding culvert installation on CR 625 and ditch issues on CR 800.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Health Department Administrator Kim Sallin reported an increase in activity, including 222 lab draws conducted during a health fair at Quaker Windows, compared to 173 the previous year.

“It was quite a bit more than previous,” Sallin said.

• She also highlighted a new partnership with State Technical College of Missouri, where the department conducted 42 drug tests during a recent event.

“That was our first event over there, and it seemed to go really, really well,” she said.

Sallin presented a proposed memorandum of understanding related to drug testing services for county departments, including the communications center. She said the agreement would help clarify expectations and ensure policies are followed consistently.

“I think having that MOU is really good because it tells me exactly what the department is expecting,” Sallin said.

Commissioners indicated they would review the agreement before considering broader implementation.

• Sallin also asked the commissioners for permission for the Health Department to take over the Shop With a Hero program. Sallin said she, Andi Rice, and Jenn Millard from Central Missouri Community Action would continue to plan and run the event, as in previous years.

“Shop with a Hero is something that five years now we’ve been doing,” Sallin said. “It is a transfer of a name on a bank account… so that is the only thing that’s going to change, and the health department logo will be on it instead.”

She emphasized that these programs rely on donations and community support rather than direct health department funding.

“There’s no money from the health department that will go into this program,” she said.

While Peters and Logan supported the request, Griffin objected to staff being paid for time spent working on the program, even though Sallin said that time would be covered by a grant.

“The Health Department is short (staffed) all the time… yet we’ve got time to do that,” Griffin said. “If it means that much, you volunteer.”

“We have probably four meetings throughout the year, about two-hour meetings, and then we’ll do a big fundraiser that’ll be a full day thing. And then the day of the event is about six (hours),” Sallin said, when asked how much work time she normally spends on the event.

“About three days a year,” Peters clarified.

Ultimately, permission was granted, with Peters and Logan voting for and Griffin voting against.

• Other figures reported for March were as follows; Birth Certificates (32), Death Certificates (20), Vaccines (16), Animal Bites (1), Dressing Changes (0), Lice Checks (0), Medication Injections (21), Blood Draws (255), Blood Pressure Checks (11), PPD Testing (2), EPHS Inspections (23), Oral Health Reviews (0), Flouride Varnishes (135), WIC Caseload (120), WIC Appointments Completed (46), Drug Testing (40), Prenatal Classes Held (2), Lactation Visits (1), Car Seat Checks (1), Car Seats Issued (0), Lead Testing (0), CPR Certifications (6), Mental Health Visits (0), Foot & Nail  Visits (38), School Health Screenings (37), Health Screenings (2), STD Screenings (2), STD Treatment (0), Daycare Providers (Clock Hours) (8), Daycare Health Promotions (0), Daycare Inspections (3), Community Health Promotions (2), Nurse Visits (9), Drive Thru Customers (44), Diapers/Wipes provided (15), Water Test Kits (2), Notary (0), CD Investigations (4), Lead Cases (1), Influenza A Reported (2), Influenza B Reported (11), and Covid Reported (2).

911/Emergency Management

911/EMA Director Ron Hoffman told commissioners April 12–18 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and discussed plans to recognize local dispatchers. “I’m pretty proud of them folks in there,” Hoffman said. “I think they do a great, great job.”

FINANCIAL

• Sales tax distribution received from the state of Missouri showed $425,333.22 collected in April, including $51,254.32 to General Revenue, $60,819.88 to Jail Renovation (JR60), $30,414.82 to Capitol Improvements (CI88, $27,373.34) and Building & Grounds (BG89 $3,041.48), $60,830.16 to Prop P, $60,206.36 to Prop R, $60,819.95 to 911/Law Enforcement, and $100,987.73 to Use Tax.

• The March Statement of Monthly Collections from the collector showed county tax distributions of $7,483.75 to General Revenue, $12,085.16 to the County Retirement Fund (CERF), $1,849.23 to the County Assessment Fund, and $36.72 to the County Collector’s Office.

Taxes collected for the school districts were: $15,589.75 to R-1 (Chamois), $38,332.54 to R-2 (Linn), $27,189.97 to R-3 (Fatima), $5,910.62 to Maries County R-2, and $0.00 to Gasconade County R-2.

A total of $5,181.08 went to special road districts, including Osage County ($3,221.26), Belle Special Road District ($552.59), Chamois Special Road District ($1,133.51), West Special Road District ($46.54), and Linn Special Road District ($227.18).

Ambulance districts received the following: Osage ($3,098.87), Ozark ($492.89), and Maries ($420.56), for a total of $4,012.32.

Fire Districts received a total of $4,499.37, including Belle ($371.87), Bland ($79.47), Chamois ($641.96), Cole ($0.00), Linn ($3,287.09), Meta ($56.84), and Osage ($0.00).

Cities received a total of $3,952.41, including Argyle ($49.72), Belle ($154.86), Chamois ($794.91), Linn ($2,832.52), and Meta ($120.40).

• Time sheets were approved by commissioners.