OSAGE COUNTY — Osage County commissioners voted last week to adopt a 5% cost-of-living adjustment for county employees following extended closed-session discussions that stretched across two meetings and culminated in a series of clarifying motions to determine how and when the raises would be implemented.

The decision was finalized during the commission’s Dec. 18 meeting, following an earlier closed session held Dec. 16 under statute 610.021.3. The approved COLA applies across the board to full-time and part-time county employees as well as elected officials, with the exception of the sheriff’s department and certain court-related positions excluded by court order. Funding for the increase will come from Use Tax revenues.

Discussion continued in open session as commissioners worked through implementation details with Interim Osage County Clerk Brooke Dudenhoeffer and Treasurer Valerie Prater, who raised the question of when the increase should formally take effect to align with payroll processing.

After additional discussion, commissioners amended the original COLA motion to specify an effective date of Dec. 28, 2025, corresponding with the first payroll period of the new year.

The commission acknowledged that the salary discussions were lengthy and, at times, difficult.

Western District Commissioner Dale Logan commented more broadly on the county’s financial constraints and the importance of growing the tax base to support future compensation. “We’ve got to figure out how to get more businesses started in our county,” Logan said. “I think we need to get the paper more involved and help educate our taxpayers, our citizens, about spending money in Osage County and the difference that makes.”

Logan and other officials discussed how Use Tax revenues are generated when residents shop locally or use in-county pickup options for online purchases, noting that many residents commute to Jefferson City and shop outside the county. Eastern District Commissioner Jeff Peters explained Osage County still collects Use Tax if “you buy your groceries online, but you pick it up there.” Logan clarified that’s only true if the online purchase was made while in Osage County, even if the products are picked up from a store in Cole County.

• The county Annex building will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. The Collector’s Office hours will have extended hours early next week, Monday-Wednesday, from 7:30-5:30, and will open through lunch on those days.

ROAD & BRIDGE

Foreman Bradley Sneller presented a written road report covering Dec. 8-14. During discussion, Commissioner Peters raised concerns about newly installed culverts that have settled and now require additional attention.

“CR 251, 302, and 241 — all culverts you put in, new culverts you put in — they’ve settled terribly bad,” Peters said. “They need some attention. Rock.”

Sneller acknowledged the issue and indicated that additional material would be placed as conditions allow.

• Commissioners also discussed the availability of rock from area quarries, noting fluctuations in price, hauling distance, and consistency of loads. Sneller explained that some quarries rely on mobile crushing plants that rotate among sites, which can contribute to temporary shortages.

• Engineering consultant Aaron McVicker of McClure Engineering checked in with the commission and addressed questions about the bridge program for the coming year. McVicker said uncertainty surrounding the lack of a transportation bill has stalled programming decisions.

McVicker added he does not expect transportation funding to drop to zero, citing increased motor fuel tax revenues.

Commissioners also discussed contractor availability and the increasing number of bridges statewide requiring repair. Logan noted, “We continue to hear that there’s so many bridges right now that there’s a shortage of contractors.”

McVicker said availability can vary depending on timing and project scheduling.

• Creek rock was hauled on CR 501 (560.00 tons), 602 (112.00 tons), & 604 (272.00 tons); quarry rock on CR 401 (292.94 tons), 412 (87.11 tons), 414 (51.6 tons), 415 (55.68 tons), 612 (225.8 tons), 810 (278.45 tons); road work was done on CR 401, 612, & 810; and grader operators were active as follows: G01 (501), G02 (701, 703, 704, 735, 735A), G03 (206, 207, 212), G04 (610, 611, 612), G05 (401, 412, 414, 609), & G06 (317, 318).

• Dump truck DT56 (2025 International HV507) was serviced out of house. Dump truck DT32 (blue 2004 Peterbilt) and whipper W43 (2007 John Deere 6615 w/Alamo Machete Mower) were serviced in house.

• Contact was received from citizens regarding possible culvert installation on CR 303, concerns about CR 602, and rock to be placed on CR 503.

• Compliments were received about CR 317 and CR 604.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Health Department Administrator Kim Sallin again raised concerns regarding cyber-security and related insurance coverage, saying she had received conflicting information from insurance representatives about what coverage the county currently carries.

“I’m really struggling with this,” Sallin said. “Insurance agent, representative, whatever, doesn’t know what we have and don’t have. That’s a problem for me.

“It’s really, really important to know exactly what we had, exactly what we’re covered for, what we’re not covered for,” she continued.

Commissioners agreed that clarification from the county’s insurance agent would be necessary and indicated the issue would be revisited with additional information.

• Sallin also requested approval to continue researching alternatives to the county’s existing credit card arrangements, noting that current cards do not offer rewards or cash-back benefits. “We’re using the credit cards anyway,” she said. “If there’s no annual fee, we’re just missing out on an opportunity.”

If the county does switch to a card that offers rewards, she suggested the commissioners specify that the rewards could only be used to reduce the balance on the card.

Commissioners agreed to allow her to continue the research.

• At the Dec. 18 meeting, Sallin returned with a proposal to replace the Health Department’s office printer through a Konica Minolta service agreement. She outlined a five-year service arrangement in which the department would purchase the printer and pay a monthly fee covering maintenance, toner, training, and replacement if necessary.

“For 2026, the total cost would be $1,254,” Sallin said. “After that, it’s only going to cost me $300 a year.”

Commissioners discussed the length of the agreement, potential risks of equipment obsolescence, and exit terms. After discussion, the commission approved the proposal by unanimous vote.

911/Emergency                    Management

911/Emergency Management Director Ron Hoffman provided updates on surplus equipment auctions and system upgrades.

“The road grader’s at $29,000,” Hoffman reported.

He said the auction period had been extended through Dec. 29 to avoid concluding during the Christmas holiday, and that although the high bid was below the reserve set by the county, the bidding often escalates quickly at the end of an auction.

• Hoffman also reported that the 911 call center’s transition to the CentralSquare CAD system had gone smoothly. “We went live Tuesday at noon,” he said. “Pretty seamless transition, but we were super prepared for it.”

Commissioners praised the implementation and noted positive feedback from staff.

FINANCIAL

• Time sheets were approved by commissioners.