Road and Bridge

Osage County Road and Bridge Foreman Ron Kempker said his department is preparing and loading snowplow trucks again. He was hoping the weather system threatening Osage County over the New Year's Holiday Weekend would be just rain "but come New Year's Day, we want all the trucks ready to go." 

They were loaded with all necessary materials and kept in the shed to keep the material dry.

Commissioners approved payment of $52,700.92 to CAT Financial for leases on Road Graders #04 and #06.

Kempker and the commissioners discussed the resumption of maintenance of a stretch of CR 511 recently de-annexed by the city of Westphalia. Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin wants to schedule a visual examination by the department and the commissioners. Osage County Second District Commissioner Larry Kliethermes, who has seen it recently, is optimistic about the transaction. He pointed out it's different than taking over a stretch of road from a private citizen. 

"As long as it's in decent shape, it'll be all right," he said. "This is a little different situation."

"It'll take a little bit of rock and a little bit of moisture to work it in," said Kempker, who has also looked at it recently.

"We'll all go look at it," concluded Griffin.

Kliethermes announced the cancellation of the Bridge Rural Offset project on CR 631 across Brush Creek. He has been unable to get the approval of one of the landowners adjacent to the proposed new bridge. "I guess the only thing we can do is shelve the project," he concluded.

Crew members performed service on Trucks #26, #48, and #70; and grader operators worked on CRs 202, 263, 302, 304, 309A, 310, 504, 505, 516, 522, 524, 602, 606, 612, 715, and 723.

Miscellaneous

The commission reviewed these expenditures through Dec. 31, listed by department: 911 ($799.078.66), Assessor ($249,334.16), EMA ($133,480.65), Road and Bridge ($1,306,274.29), Building & Grounds ($62,206.91), Circuit Clerk ($9,064.49), Collector ($99,355.38), Coroner ($22,276.07), County Clerk ($105,882.89), Commission ($88,794.64), Elections ($122,861.04), Employee Fringe Benefits ($215,695.59), Jail ($255,373.05), Juvenile Officer ($32,157.31), Prosecuting Attorney ($129,209.33), Public Administrator ($25,741), Health Department ($337,518.15), Recorder of Deeds ($48,357.82), Sheriff ($913,694.46), Other Government ($196,306.93), Professional Organization Fees ($69,255.72), Surveyor ($6,050), Treasurer ($44,501.03), and Transfers Out ($6,600) for a grand total of $2,790,901.81. There were no expenditures from the emergency fund, leaving a balance of $70,339.

There is disagreement about payment "in lieu of taxes" to counties by the state of Missouri between the State Attorney General's office and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). The MDC has sent notice, therefore, those funds will be delayed until at least February. The first hearing scheduled to try and resolve the issue is Feb. 5. This compensates counties for loss of revenue from acreage owned by the government instead of taxpayers. Osage County's share in 2020 was $775.

Commissioners approved and signed the service agreement with Rayfield Communications.

Osage County Public Administrator Paul Stratman has had his job classification changed to full-time. The commission debated whether to provide office space in either the Osage County Courthouse or the Administration Building. Another option is to continue letting him work from his own private office. The main issue is liability to the county should an accident occur. 

"That's something to look at there," said Griffin.

Commissioners signed outgoing checks.

Retiring Osage County Coroner Lois Jaegers received congratulations and thanks for her 23 years of service.

Outgoing Osage County First District Commissioner John Glavin received congratulations and thanks for eight years of service on the commission. He made the motion to adjourn his final meeting, adding, "It's been a great honor to serve the people of Osage County."