OSAGE COUNTY — At their Feb. 10 meeting, commissioners voted to purchase a new dump truck for $166,811, to be paid for from the Capital Improvements account. The previous week, commissioners asked Road & Bridge Foreman Bradley Sneller to get a third dump truck quote. When he contacted International for a quote, Sneller said he was told they had one on the lot that had been ordered by another client, but not purchased, and offered Sneller a good deal on it. According to discussion during the meeting, the price was approximately $30,000 lower than other quotes the county had received.

Discussion included plans to sell one of the older trucks and possibly other surplus equipment to offset costs. Commissioners made a plan to meet at Road & Bridge later in the week to look at all the equipment and make a comprehensive list of what needed to be sold or replaced.

Commissioners also discussed evaluating whether it would be more cost-effective to contract certain culvert work on newly chip-sealed roads rather than completing that work in-house. The comparison could affect future equipment decisions, including a possible skid steer purchase.

• Recorder of Deeds Cindy Hoffman reported that representatives from a preservation company in Oklahoma visited the courthouse to scan and begin refurbishing the county’s remaining real estate index books. The final nine index books were scanned and copied to digital storage, allowing continued access for title companies and researchers while physical restoration work is completed.

Hoffman also said the county applied for a federal grant to refurbish marriage records. The estimated cost included in the grant application was approximately $62,000. She said she does not expect an immediate response on the grant application.

• Interim County Clerk Brooke Dudenhoeffer said she had reviewed minutes from a previous meeting in which commissioners allowed employees six months to use already-earned comp time, with no additional comp time to be accrued.

Dudenhoeffer reported she had contacted both the Missouri Department of Labor and federal authorities regarding questions about whether certain positions were federally protected and how comp time rules apply to salaried employees. She said the state directed her to federal officials, and she was awaiting further clarification.

Commissioners indicated they would wait for additional legal guidance before taking further action.

Dudenhoeffer informed commissioners that auditors would be on site Tuesday through Thursday the following week for follow-up work.

She also said candidate filing for county offices will begin on Feb. 24.

• Collector Denise Nolte mentioned how thankful she was that she, Dudenhoeffer and Treasurer Valerie Prater have been able to work together closely during the ongoing audit process. “We’ve been working really well together to provide the information, and if there’s issues, we’re working to correct them,” Nolte said. “I think we have a bunch of really good people that are working together to make sure everything’s transparent, clean, and correct.”

• Engagement Specialist in Community Economic Development Elizabeth Anderson noted their annual meeting would be held on Feb. 17. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner, catered by 4-H, to be served at 6 p.m. Osage Regional Library’s Sarah Falter will speak about the library’s collaboration with MU Extension.

• Commissioners were also notified that the VFW is seeking a one-day project in May involving approximately 12 volunteers. Departments were asked to submit potential projects within the next week. Health Department Administrator Kim Sallin mentioned the Health Department needed power-washing, and was told to contact the VFW with her request.

• Several attendees complimented commissioners on the new (to them) guest chairs. Western District Commissioner Dale Logan thanked 911 Director Ron Hoffman and Groundskeeper John Kennedy for helping pick them up.

• Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin warned again of the dangers of leaving unattended space heaters plugged in, and reminded everyone to unplug them when they’re not in the office.

ROAD & BRIDGE

Sneller also presented a personnel transaction form indicating he had terminated an employee. When asked about the reason, Sneller said the employee caused approximately $5,000 in damage to a grader by failing to monitor how far the blade had worn down.

Sneller explained that excessive wear can compromise the bolt holes where the blade attaches to the machine. He said the issue had previously been discussed with the employee.

• Commissioners asked about recent stabilization work on CR 416, where a retaining wall and pipe had been affected by water flow. Sneller reported that concrete had been poured at the base of the pipe and packed along the sides to prevent future erosion, and he believed the issue had been addressed.

• Quarry rock was hauled on CR 612 (113.1 T); road work was done on CR 612; a tree was removed on CR 801; brush mowers were working on CR 411, 601, 611, & Loose Creek Hwy; and grader operators were active as follows: G02 (727), G03 (805, 806, 807), G04 (612), G05 (602), & G06 (312).

• Dump trucks DT31 (white 2004 Peterbilt) and dump truck DT32 (blue 2004 Peterbilt) were serviced in-house.

• Contact was received from citizens regarding potholes on CR 604, concerns about CR 602, and wash-boarding on CR 303. 

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Commissioners returned to discussion of a proposed Quick Care clinic that would operate through the Osage County Health Department, focusing primarily on how startup funds would be allocated.

Prater said she spoke with the state auditor regarding the process for amending the budget if commissioners choose to allocate startup funds. She explained that a firm cost estimate would be required before any amendment could be made, and funds would need to be transferred from a source account and designated specifically for Quick Care operations.

Prater said once a specific amount is approved, the county could not exceed that allocation without further commission action.

Commissioners discussed potential startup costs, and whether a higher cap might be necessary to avoid multiple amendments. Questions raised included licensing requirements, insurance considerations, equipment needs, and long-term sustainability.

Health Department Administrator Kim Sallin said she is working on finalizing those figures.

Griffin stated that any future construction or expansion would depend on the clinic demonstrating financial viability.

• Sallin also reminded officials that flu and COVID cases remain elevated locally.

911/Emergency Management

Osage County 911/EMA Director Ron Hoffman reported that implementation of the county’s upgraded CentralSquare computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system is progressing well.

Hoffman said dispatchers and emergency responders have responded positively to improvements in mapping and reporting capabilities. Hoffman noted that fiber connectivity issues with Brightspeed continue to delay full Next Generation 911 (NG911) implementation.

• He also reported that 911 received a grant award as part of a Safe Streets for All program, in conjunction with Osage Ambulance District and Linn Fire Protection District. 911‘s portion is expected to total approximately $9,000.

The grant funding could help expand ProQA protocols for fire and law enforcement, building on existing medical dispatch capabilities.

FINANCIAL

• Sales tax distribution received from the state of Missouri showed $476,931.71 collected in February, including $65,970.03 to General Revenue, $78,501.18 to Jail Renovation (JR60), $39,263.06 to Capital Improvements (CI88, $35,336.75) and Building & Grounds (BG89, $3,926.31), $78,526.20 to Prop P, $77,815.67 to Prop R, $78,501.17 to 911/Law Enforcement, and $58,354.40 to Use Tax.