Gasconade County Commission Minutes

Posted 1/30/20

Jan. 30, 2020

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Gasconade County Commission Minutes

Posted

Jan. 30, 2020

The Gasconade County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel at the Courthouse beginning with Pledge of Allegiance.

PRIOR MINUTES

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to approve prior commission minutes dated Jan. 23, 2020. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

ROAD CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS

Commissioner Lairmore said the new Kenworth truck is on the road and is working out great; Commissioner Holland said the road department has done a great job getting out on the roads to plow snow and cinder and then with re‑freezing, getting back out on the roads again.

Commissioner Lairmore announced that tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. he will be meeting on Roethemeyer road at the illegal dump site with Kathryn Hawes, representing Solid Waste Management, to decide a clean‑up plan.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Todd Witthaus, loan officer from Peoples Savings Bank, came in for Commissions’ signature on new Courthouse roof loan paperwork for another year; the principal amount due as of Feb. 1 is $292,962.66. The first payment of the year will be next week in the amount of $19,806.01 and will be made quarterly throughout 2020. Commission thanked Mr. Witthaus for working with the county to make this Courthouse improvement happen at a very accommodating interest rate of two percent.

Commission received an email from U.S. Senator Roy Blunt regarding how Missouri is benefitting from legislation to bring high speed internet to several counties in rural Missouri through grants and loans. Clerk Lietzow mentioned that Callabyte will be in the building tomorrow to finish making connections for the new internet service; she said elected officials will continue their connections with Centurylink for awhile, mainly because of the email addresses everyone has through them. With Callabyte not offering email addresses, elected officials are wondering where to turn.

EMD Dan Dyer had prepared some documents needing Presiding Commissioner Miskel’s signature; he is re‑instating the EMPG reimbursement through SEMA, which will bring in additional revenue to offset some expenses. Along with that was a copy of the NIMS resolution that Commission had originally adopted many years’ ago, but unable to locate, so a new one needed signing for submission to SEMA and is No. 472. Also needing signature, was an appointment letter that SEMA requires confirming Director Dyer’s appointment and his contact information; it also mentioned their being happy for his appointment.

Assessor Paul Schulte came into session and when asked about his budget plans for 2020, he mentioned that it was time to do a flyover of the county again in order to update the aerial maps, and the GIS company he works with is preparing a proposal to use a drone for the incorporated areas. That is the new method being used by many counties and seems to work well, but does require a lot of advance publicity letting the public know about the process and the timing of when each area would be done, so residents are made aware as not to panic. He also mentioned that his office has started on making new county road maps using the map making machine in the EOC; Commission asked to see the first draft and would like to give a copy to Debbie Thomas at the road department to review all in an effort to make them as accurate as possible before printing a large quantity.

Commission discussed the many board appointments they are responsible for making, and the difficulty they have in finding representatives; currently vacant positions include a physician for the Mental Health Board, and individuals on the IDA board, MCEC board, MRDC board and they encourage anyone interested to contact one of the Commissioners. They are also aware of a vacancy on the County Health Department, but the remaining board members are very good at finding replacements to recommend to Commission.

Clerk Lietzow mentioned that the Health Care Team will meet for the first time this year on Feb. 7 at 8 a.m. to reorganize with some new members of the team and bring them up to speed on the process and discuss next steps moving forward. Lastly, she asked Commissioner Holland again for a copy of the roof inspection report he received from TREMCO via email, so it can be part of the permanent documents on file.

Commission then moved onto adopting the 2020 budget as prepared by Clerk Lietzow who also serves as budget officer; this adoption will allow for payroll tomorrow, the first in six weeks and allow for payment of county’s bills next session also for the first time in six weeks. All Commissioners’ offered congratulations to Clerk Lietzow and her staff for this whirlwind process in a matter of just a few weeks; they again acknowledged the hard year ahead for everyone as we all struggle to get through without going over budget. Commissioners’ will press Missouri Assocation of Counties and County Commissioners’ Association of Missouri to address the struggling financial condition of third class counties. While Clerk Lietzow’s budget message touched on the upcoming struggles in 2020, Commissioner Lairmore took exception with their being the only ones looking for more revenue, and felt that should be all elected officials.

Motion/Vote

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to adopt 2020 budget. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

ADJOURN

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to adjourn commission until Feb. 6, 2020. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.