OSAGE COUNTY — During their Oct. 21 meeting, commissioners voted to award the Pentecostal Bridge project to Gene Haile Excavating for $2,459,681.85, following state approval of all documentation.

“We know it met the requirements and all that,” said Western District Commissioner Dale Logan. “I make a motion we accept the bid from Hale Excavating.”

The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners noted the bridge is slated for completion by Dec. 1, 2026.

• Commissioners spent considerable time discussing Senate Bill (SB) 3 and SB 190, two statewide property tax measures that have generated confusion among counties. Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin said the county must act soon to place SB 3 on the April ballot, as the bill requires voter approval at the local level. “We’ve got to make a motion to put it on the ballot,” Griffin said, noting that some counties were already moving forward.

County Clerk Brooke Dudenhoeffer confirmed she will contact the Secretary of State’s Office for official ballot language, and also check with the Missouri Association of Counties for guidance.

Commissioners agreed to proceed cautiously. Eastern District Commissioner Jeff Peters pointed out that SB 3 is already being challenged in court, while Western District Commissioner Dale Logan added that moving forward promptly “will keep us from getting behind the ball.”

The board also touched on SB 190, which offers a senior tax freeze similar to SB 3, but only for senior citizens. Dudenhoeffer explained that it would not cover rental or investment properties, countering misconceptions that it offered broad tax relief. Commissioners said both measures could create confusion for voters if legal challenges or legislative changes alter their scope before the April election.

ROAD & BRIDGE

Osage County Road & Bridge Assistant Foreman Brad Sneller reported ongoing equipment and road management issues. Discussion began with a grader trade mix-up that caused delays in the sale of one of the county’s machines. Sneller explained, “We just need to start this whole thing over again … so we can get the right paperwork straightened out.”

Commissioners agreed that the grader being sold — the oldest in the fleet with roughly 16,000 hours — should be listed at a minimum bid of $100,000.

• The commission also revisited a road exchange agreement with Gasconade County, swapping maintenance responsibilities for certain segments to balance mileage between the two counties. Gasconade County would maintain Osage County roads 221 and 243, in return for Osage County maintaining Gasconade County’s Mud Creek Road, as these roads are only accessible at the end of roads belonging to the other county. Maintenance will consist of road grading, brush cutting, pulling ditches, and snow removal. Rock placement and culvert operations will be performed by the county that owns the road.

Commissioners phoned Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner Tim Schulte during the meeting, who agreed the proposal “sounded like a good plan for both parties.” Both counties were expected finalize the agreement later this week.

• Sneller raised concerns about an AT&T claim for $3,454.67 after a county crew accidentally struck a buried telephone line. He argued that the line was improperly installed. “If you look at them pictures, they got their line in our road,” he said. “That’s what we’re running into all the time. How does that make us liable?”

Commissioners agreed the bill appeared unjustified, noting past instances where similar line strikes were repaired without charge. Peters directed Commission Clerk Brandy Boessen to respond in writing, stating the cable “was at the proper depth until it got to the pipe, and then it went over the top instead of underneath.”

Boessen said she would, after checking to see what other communication might have taken place between Road & Bridge and AT&T.

Griffin added, “We’ve had several of those over the last 12 years, and we’ve never been billed before.”

• Sneller also updated the commission on a culvert replacement on CR 251, explaining he planned to order a larger pipe and shore up the surrounding bank with rock. Peters requested he notify nearby landowners when work is scheduled.

• Staffing remained a recurring issue. Sneller said the department currently has only seven or eight full-time workers. “Seems like everybody that comes out there wanting to work only wants part-time,” he said.

Logan replied that the county’s pay reputation has been “a little rough,” but said incremental raises should help. Sneller countered that benefits and time off make county employment “not such a bad gig,” even if base pay lags behind private industry.

• Sneller and commissioners discussed the department’s boom mowing schedule, noting it can take up to two years to cover all county roads. “I calculated one time when I was running the whipper years ago. I think I got a mile and a half done in a whole day,” Sneller said.

Peters suggested keeping three mowers running next year to catch up, if enough operators are available. Sneller replied that both existing whippers are operational and a third machine has been ordered. “We’re so far behind on whipping roads,” Peters said. “If we can keep all three running, it’d really help.”

• Discussion later turned to pay for part-time employees, after questions arose about whether long-time workers should retain their previous hourly rates. Peters noted that one employee had been promised the same pay after moving to part-time. Commissioners agreed the matter should be handled in a closed session on Thursday, with Peters saying, “We need to come up with some kind of consistent system.”

• Creek rock was hauled on CR 736 (64 tons) and 738 (96 tons); quarry rock on CR 621 (301.32 tons) and 708 (210.23 tons); road work wans done on CR 708; brush mowers was working on CRs 612 and 613; and grader operators were active as follows: G01 (CRs 506 and 508), G02 (CRs 706, 708, 709, and 711), G03 (CR 804), G05 (CRs 423 and 424).

• Pick-up trucks PUT55 (2007 Ford Crew Cab) and PUT70 (2008 Ford F250) were serviced in house, and excavator CE50 (2021 E50 Bobcat Excavator) was serviced out of house.

• Contact was received from citizens regarding rock on CR 413 and culvert on CR 322.

• Compliments were received about work done on CR 435.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Health Department Administrator Kim Sallin provided her first update in several weeks, reporting heavy fall activity. “We have been very, very busy,” she said.

• Sallin outlined the department’s work at the Osage County Sheriff’s Office’s Junior Deputy Program, where staff conducted bike safety sessions and distributed helmets to fifth-graders at Holy Family and Loose Creek schools.

• She said flu vaccination season is in full swing, with clinics held at local businesses and evening sessions open to the public. “We’ve encouraged any businesses that want us to come to them to give flu shots — they just have to give us a call,” she explained.

The department will remain open late every Thursday through October.

• Sallin also reviewed her monthly activity report, highlighting several trends:

CPR certifications dropped from 24 last year to three this September, due to new online training formats.

School health screenings rose sharply — up 262 from last year — thanks to stronger cooperation from area schools.

WIC appointments declined because many are now handled virtually.

The department distributed fewer diapers and wipes, due to reduced supply from the Columbia Diaper Bank. “People still come pretty regularly and ask for them,” Sallin said, “but we just don’t have as much to give out.”

• Sallin noted that a recent storm disrupted the office’s security system, locking staff out until a technician could repair it. “The (IP) address got changed,” she said, adding that the problem appeared linked to a power surge. The doors are now functioning normally.

• She also confirmed that bids are open for snow removal services at the Health Department, with submissions accepted until early November.

• Finally, Sallin announced that she would speak to a Master’s in Public Health class at the University of Missouri later that day. The students will conduct a community health assessment for Osage County, analyzing local demographics and health priorities at no cost. “It’ll be great data for us,” she said. “A lot of counties pay a lot of money for this kind of information.”

• Other figures reported for September were as follows; Birth Certificates (34), Death Certificates (35), Vaccines (220), Animal Bites (2), Medication Injections (6), Blood Draws (24), Blood Pressure Checks (62), PPD Testing (69), EPHS Inspections (28), Oral Health Reviews (3), Flouride Varnishes (3), WIC Caseload (128), WIC Appointments Completed (58), Drug Testing (1), Prenatal Classes Held (5), Lactation Visits (1), Car Seat Checks (2), CPR Certifications (3), Foot & Nail  Visits (36), School Health Screenings (1286), Health Screenings (42), Daycare Providers (Clock Hours) (8), Daycare Inspections (3), Community Health Promotions (7), Nurse Visits (7), Drive Thru Customers (49), Diapers/Wipes provided (13), Water Test Kits (7), CD Investigations (6), and Lead Cases (2).

FINANCIAL

• County Aid Road Trust (CART) distribution received from the state of Missouri for the month of October was $94,608.19, including Motor Fuel Tax ($74,825.21), Motor Vehicle Sales Tax ($14,804.00), and Motor Vehicle Fee Increases ($4,978.98).

• Time sheets were approved by commissioners.