LINN — Last week, County Attorney Amanda Grellner addressed the commissioners about Senate Bill (SB) 3 and SB 190, two state property-tax measures that have created confusion among counties across Missouri.

Grellner told commissioners the county is obligated to place the new SB 3 property-tax freeze question on the April ballot even though the law’s constitutionality remains uncertain.

“If it’s not been declared unconstitutional, you’re stuck with it right now until that happens,” Grellner said. “The way I read this, you don’t have a choice but to put it on the ballot. Now, I understand it’s not been up the flagpole court wise, right? So we are all flying blind, and hopefully, Secretary of State’s office will put some ballot language out for you as to what it needs to say on the ballot so that everybody’s consistent.”

She told commissioners that other counties were equally uncertain.

“Because they’ve made it so confusing, you know, what is it supposed to say, what is it supposed to look like? I talked to some other prosecutors and nobody knows. Nobody’s gotten any guidance on it,” she said.

Commissioners asked how the two pieces of legislation relate to one another. Western District Commissioner Dale Logan raised concerns about a citizen petition circulating to force SB 190 onto the ballot. Grellner responded that one bill applies to all taxpayers, while the other is limited to seniors.

She then cautioned that Senate Bill 3 is already the subject of a lawsuit. “My understanding is there’s a lawsuit filed in Cole County, because it’s unconstitutional, because there are three different levels there,” she said. “So, it may get declared unconstitutional, but until that happens you’re required to put it on the ballot.”

The discussion turned to definitions in the statute. Grellner read the relevant passage aloud. “It defines homestead as real property actually occupied by an eligible taxpayer as a primary residence,” she read. She said the commission could adopt a clarifying ordinance so long as it does not conflict with the statute.

Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin summarized the board’s concern about deadlines and confusion. “Our main concern was the law itself is confusing,” he said. “We need to get it on the ballot sooner than later.”

Grellner confirmed that the SB 3 measure must appear on the April municipal ballot.

After confirming that timeline, Eastern District Commissioner Jeff Peters moved the conversation forward. “We just will get that ball rolling,” he said. “We got to do it.”

Griffin agreed, “We have no control. It’s got to go.”

• Volunteer Neil Loethen told the commissioners the courthouse landscaping project was complete. He said what began as a small cleanup grew into a larger effort involving donations from local residents and businesses.

“It’s completely wrapped up now. So, what started as a small cleanup ended up obviously into a bigger job that stretched out a little bit longer than I anticipated,” Loethen said. “I originally went out and got quotes … they estimated that it would cost $20,000 to $30,000 to do it. So, thanks to a lot of local help and donations, we were able to get it done for $2,500 — that includes all plants, rocks, lighting, and all the irrigation work.”

Loethen publicly thanked the many residents and groups who contributed labor or materials, including Shelley Klebba, Heather Loethen, the Linn Community Betterment Association, Ron Helmig, the Turner family, and Peters Precision Landscaping. He said the courthouse “looks good on the outside, and it’s nice to know it was done in a way that saved the county quite a bit of money.”

Commissioners also discussed the new lighting system, which features color-changing bulbs on a dusk-to-dawn sensor. “They are color-changing,” Loethen explained. “You can change it to whatever your favorite color … you can do a Christmas theme … Halloween.”

Griffin directed Loethen to give control of the system to Groundskeeper John Kennedy.

• Commissioners also finalized details of the Highway 100 property purchase discussed previously. The county plans to use the three-acre parcel for equipment and material storage. Western District Commissioner Dale Logan acknowledged that the price “seems high,” but said the need is pressing. “I also think we need it. We’re busting at the seams out there.”

Eastern District Commissioner Jeff Peters emphasized the importance of maintaining the property, in part so as not to affect the property value of the surrounding homes. “We just need to keep it nice and neat,” he said, “I don’t want it to be a bone yard.”

Treasurer Valerie Prater confirmed that a $48,000 check will be issued once documents are in order.

ROAD & BRIDGE

Road and Bridge Assistant Foreman Bradley Sneller began by noting that crews had repaired a washout on CR 508 and were continuing to prepare equipment and materials for winter. He said the department was in better shape than last year.

“Our cinder shed is packed full. I think that Justin ordered in a dump load of that trap sand and salt,” Sneller said.

When asked about how those materials would be stored, Sneller explained the county has enough covered space for salt but not for sand. “I think that sand will be all right, sitting out until we’re ready to use it, and then we’ll mix salt in it,” Sneller said.

• Commissioners discussed whether additional covered storage might be needed in next year’s budget. Sneller said space at the main shed was limited. He said he’d been considering options at Lone Star where the county has more space. Commissioners asked about what equipment could be moved there to free up space at the main shed.

He added that most unused equipment is already stored at Lone Star.

• Sneller and commissioners also discussed the status of road material, specifically base rock for steep hills, and that one supplier had run short on inventory.

“Capitol - I don’t even think they have any rock anymore, anyway,” he said. “To be honest with you, we try to get base rock from them the other day and they didn’t have any. So I think they ran out of everything they had.”

• Commissioners asked about mowing progress and the condition of the boom mowers, known as “whippers.”

“I got one running today,” Sneller said. “The other one isn’t, because he’s helping us with those plow trucks (getting them ready for winter).”

• Sneller then told commissioners about a utility project planned to run through the county.

“Some utility company that wants to bury lines,” he said. “From what Samantha told me, the way she read it, they’re starting (near) Belle and going to work their way through the whole stinkin’ county.”

The lines were determined to be Brightspeed internet lines.

Sneller warned that past projects caused trouble when contractors ignored proper procedures.

• Toward the end of his report, Sneller revisited the proposed road exchange with Gasconade County. The commissioners reviewed the revised agreement sent by the Gasconade County commissioners, which Peters, Logan and Griffin felt was not in the best interest of Osage County. 

“My opinion, I think we just keep what we have, and they keep what they have and move on,” Sneller agreed.

Peters called Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner Tim Schulte, who confirmed the Gasconade County Commissioners were not interested in the previous agreement suggested by the Osage County Commissioners.

“Well, maybe some other time we’ll get together. I appreciate it, but we’re not interested in it, either,” Peters said, in regards to the agreement proposed by Gasconade County.

The discussion concluded with general agreement that the county’s current system is sufficient and that maintaining balance between districts should remain a priority.

• Quarry rock was hauled on CR 621 (621.02 tons) and 801 (565.54 tons); road work was done on CR 621 & 801; brush mowers were working on CR 503, 706, & 707; and grader operators were active as follows: G01 (506, 507, 508), G02 (711, 712, 715, 716, 717, 718, 727), G03 (621), G04 (261, 322, 610, 613A, 622, 623, 624, 625, 736), G05 (303, 307, 412, 421).

• Pick-up truck PUT55 (2007 Ford Crew Cab) was serviced both in and out of house. Pick-up truck PUT70 (2008 Ford F250) was serviced in house.

• Contact was received from citizens regarding clogged drain on CR 231, culvert installation on CR 304, rock to be placed over culvert on CR 512, and complaints about CR 303.

• Compliments were also received about CR 303.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Osage County Health Department Administrator Kim Sallin reported that staffing remains stable despite the temporary absence of nurse Kandiss Hoffman, who is caring for her husband after his recent helicopter crash. Sallin said they have so far avoided disruptions in service but warned there may be days when a nurse is not available without advance notice.

“There’s bound to come a time when … there won’t be a nurse there, and it won’t be something we’ll be able to give warning on,” she said.

Sallin confirmed that the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program will remain funded at least through November, despite earlier uncertainty tied to federal budget issues.

“The state is able to fund WIC through November,” she told commissioners, explaining that reimbursement would not be immediate but should come once the shutdown ends. “My budget is in a very good place, that’s if we don’t get reimbursed for several months, it’s not going to put me in the rut or anything.”

• To support local families affected by the federal government shutdown, Sallin requested permission to hold a diaper and formula drive at the health department. Commissioners agreed, and Sallin explained that any monetary donations would be passed along to the food bank to avoid budget complications and tracking problems.

• Sallin also reported her department received a wall-mounted fan for the WIC room and a small television for the waiting area, and hoped Kennedy would install them. Griffin grilled her on how the items would be installed and what content would run on the TV.

“I just want to make sure that we’re putting the proper stuff on there, instead of somebody’s agenda,” said Griffin, who has in the past forced the Health Department to remove content he felt was supportive of the LGTBQ community.

Sallin said the TV was paid for by the WIC program so could only be used to run WIC content.

“My concern is I might not agree with WIC stuff, too, because there was something that was said about that one posting y’all had on your Facebook,” Griffin said. “That was through, what, WIC?”

Sallin said the post Griffin referred to was shared from the national WIC page (during Pride Month, celebrating families of all kinds). “The TV will run WIC videos about benefits, breastfeeding, and safe sleep,” she clarified.

• She updated commissioners on the department’s fluoride-varnish program, which provides basic dental screenings and fluoride application in local schools.

“All the schools except Fatima have signed up,” Sallin said, noting that families receive information if a child appears to need a follow-up visit with a dentist.

• Sallin also reviewed the recent mobile mammogram event that was canceled. Because the unit’s availability was confirmed late, patients had a short window to sign up.

“We had like 30 days to get people to sign up,” she said.

Even so, she described the service as “a lot easier for most people … they just show up and go on the bus and get the mammogram.”

Sallin said she hopes to have more notice for future events, to allow enough time to meet the required number of participants.

FINANCIAL

• Bills totaling $73,991.13 were approved by commissioners, with the following totals by department: 911/EMA ($9,464.93), Building & Grounds ($44.97), Collector ($380.00), Commission ($604.45), Coroner ($208.98), County Clerk ($204.64), Health Department ($2,012.82), Misc. ($6,372.49), Prosecuting Attorney ($2,816.36), Public Administration ($654.66), Road & Bridge ($42,898.85), and Sheriff-Jail ($8,327.98).

• Checks were submitted for signatures.