The Henry County Commission met pursuant to adjournment at the courthouse in Clinton, Missouri on THURSDAY JANUARY 2nd, 2025
Those members present were: Jim Stone – Presiding Commissioner
Mark Larson – North District Commissioner
Jake Bradley – South District Commissioner
Rick Watson – County Clerk
At 8:58 a.m. Commissioner Stone brought the meeting to order.
The agenda was approved as presented.
The minutes from the Tuesday, December 31, 2024 meeting were read; Commissioner Stone made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Larson seconded the motion, motion carried.
The Commission discussed the various boards that they sit on. After review, Commissioner Bradley made a motion to appoint Commissioner Larson to the West Central Community Action Agency and the Quad Lakes Board. Commissioner Larson seconded the motion. The motion passed with a roll call vote of Larson – yes, Bradley – yes, and Stone – yes.
Commissioner Larson made a motion to appoint Commissioner Bradley to the University Extension Council and the Transportation Advisory Council. Commissioner Bradley seconded. The motion carried with a roll call vote of Larson – yes, Bradley – yes, and Stone – yes.
The group discussed CART fund distributions to the townships and special road districts. Commissioner Stone explained the BRO bridge program, as well as soft match credits.
Beth Wilson asked questions from the previous Commissioner meeting regarding Davis Township not disclosing public information on the attorney being used for their planning and zoning ordinance, as well as how the attorney is being paid. She was referred to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
The group discussed the 2025 Holiday Schedule. There was much discussion on adding the Juneteenth holiday to the list, as it is a Federal and State holiday. Clerk Rick explained that the state offices of the courthouse, which include the courts, juvenile office, and the Circuit Clerk’s Office, are closed on that day, which causes confusion with the public, as many don’t realize that those offices are state offices, not county offices. After discussion, Commissioner Larson made a motion to approve the State Holiday Schedule, including Juneteenth. Commissioner Bradley seconded the motion. The motion passed with a roll call vote of Larson – yes, Bradley – yes, and Stone -yes.
There was brief discussion on the upcoming County Commissioner’s Association of Missouri meeting, as registration is due soon.
Clerk Rick began discussion the budget process and went through various funds of the budget. He also shared now is the time to budget for hardware and software if they wanted to begin live streaming their meetings. Commissioner Larson distributed documents for hardware that would make live streaming their meetings possible. It was discussed that the live feed would have to be recorded and made available. It was determined to add $5000.00 to the Commissioner’s budget for the purchase of the needed hardware, and doing research to determine costs associated with posting the recorded videos on the county website.
Dennis Bowers, Road and Bridge Supervisor, met with the Commission. He presented year end reports that stated the miles and / or hours the vehicles and equipment had in 2024. He also shared that the NW1501 Rd bridge replacement, in Bogard Township, is almost complete. He is waiting on the weather prior to pour the decks of the bridge, as well and approach work.
Dennis Bowers also visited about the bridge on SE100 Rd, in Bethlehem Township. He shared that he plans on replacing the bridge as it has a 12-ton weight limit. He is planning on getting it compete prior to the BRO bridge rebuild on SE91 Rd. He estimates that it will take about 6 weeks to get it complete, weather permitting.
Dennis shared that the arm mower is finishing up in Davis Township, then moving onto to Clinton Township. He shared that the arm mower does the west side of the county in the even years, and the east side in the odd years. He also shared that the brush hog gets around the whole county about 1 ½ times a year.
Dennis shared that he has requested the purchase of a new dump truck in his 2025 budget request. He stated that the county has replaced about 20 bridges since he has been with the road and bridge department. He also shared that they have replaced numerous bridges with large culverts.
Mark Harding, the Emergency Management Director, shared that the 1st Baptist Church will have the warming center opened during the next week. He shared that all the local churches staff the warming center and the county provides cots and works to obtain food.
The group discussed the old jail and a proposal to turn it into a homeless shelter. Clerk Rick shared that the Emergency Management Office will soon be moved into the basement of the courthouse. He stated that the records currently stored at the old jail need to be relocated, hopefully close to the courthouse, then try to get rid of the old jail, as it has become costly to maintain.
Assessor Scott Largent met with the Commissioners to explain that his office will no longer be able to assign new addresses for the county. He stated that the State Tax Commission has stated that his office is to only assess the property of the county. He shared that 911 Central Dispatch has a contract with a company in Kansas that actually assigns the new address, but through his office. He stated that the office has to reassess over 5000 properties this year and will not have time to assign addresses going forward. He continued by stating the logical office to handle the addressing of county properties is the Assessor’s Office, but he does not want another employee.
Scott shared of some issues that constituents have had with their new address.
The group discussed creating a new position, within the Emergency Management Office to be responsible for the addresses of the county. After discussion, it was approved to create the position.
There was more discussion on the budget process and next week’s adoption of the 2025 Henry County Budget.
Commissioner Bradley began discussion on the raises and COLA’s given to employees and the time in which the employee receives the increase. He gave an example of an employee that began to work for the county in December, but won’t receive a COLA until his anniversary date. Clerk Rick explained that the county began to give employees their raises on their anniversary date, as it unfair to give everyone a raise at the same time of year, specifically January 1, whether they work for the county only 1 month or 11. He also shared that the county began the anniversary date pay increase a few years ago. In the first year of that change, all employees were given ½ of their annual raise on January 1st, then the remainder of the raise on their anniversary date, as they were accustomed to receive their raise on the 1st day of the new year.
The group discussed the annual Township / Special Road District meeting hosted by the Commission. Commissioner Stone stated that the date of that meeting is up to them to set. The group briefly discussed purchasing a road grader, as some road districts are having difficulty finding an operator. Commissioner Larson shared that he would like to change the CART contract, to give the Townships and Special Road Districts more flexibility in using the funds. He stated that they are required by statue to use the money for specific purposes. Commissioner Stone stated that there would have to be some accountability as to how they do use the funds.
Dennis Bowers, stated that he did not want to eliminate the CART rock program. Clerk Rick shared that they had only discussed the stipulations on the program, not necessarily eliminating it. Dennis shared that he would suggest that the revised CART contract still require ditches to be pulled. He also stated that he would like to see it similar to past contracts.
Dennis shared that he received a call from the MoDot bridge inspector. The inspector stated that he will be sending him a list of bridges that must have the rocks swept off of the bridge decks. Dennis further stated that this needs to be done prior to the February bridge inspection. Dennis asked how the Commission wants him to address the townships and special road districts to get these bridges cleaned off. Commissioner Larson advised Dennis to call them and tell them that they have until Wednesday of next week to get the bridge decks swept off or the county will do it and charge them $150 each. Dennis stated that we would give them a call but be prepared for some phone calls from the respective townships or special road districts.
There was discussion on withholding CART funds or Gas Tax Distributions, from the townships or special road districts that are in arrears of settling up on various invoices from the county.
At 12:08 p.m. Commissioner Bradley made a motion to adjourn, Commissioner Larson seconded the motion, motion carried with a roll call vote of Larson – yes, Bradley – yes, and Stone – yes.
