The Henry County Commission met Tuesday January 14th, 2025 pursuant to adjournment at the courthouse in Clinton, Missouri.
Those members present were: Jim Stone – Presiding Commissioner
Mark Larson – North District Commissioner
Jake Bradley – South District Commissioner (arrived at 10:00)
Rick Watson – County Clerk
At 9:0 a.m. Commissioner Stone brought the meeting to order.
The agenda was approved as presented.
The minutes from the Thursday, January 7, 2025 meeting were read; Commissioner Larson made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Stone seconded the motion, motion carried.
The expenditures from the following offices were approved to be paid:
Employee Benefits Commission Coroner
Sheriff Buildings and Grounds Recorder of Deeds
General County Government Prosecutor Court Administration
Road and Bridge Assessor 27th Circuit Treatment Court
Inmate Security General County Government Capital Schools
Administration Handling Cost Fund Deputy Salary Supplement Fund
An abstract of fees collected by the Recorder of Deeds Office for the month of December was reviewed and approved.
Collector – Treasurer Ann Julian met with the Commission to submit the semi-annual settlement.
The group discussed the January sales tax receipts as they were down nearly 25% from last year.
Clerk Rick presented copies of resignation letters from Tom Engeman, Dan Fick, and Carol McLaughlin, of the Deepwater Township Board. He also shared a letter from Jason Wareham, the only existing Board Member to the township. Jason’s request was for the Commissioners to appoint Cassidy Cooper as Clerk, Bailey Carter as Treasurer, and JR Brownsberger as Board Member. Rick shared that these 3 recommendations are the only individuals that signed up for the election to be held on April 8th.
Clerk Rick shared of an agenda item next week, in which Nick Jaberian, of Red Fox Winery, wants to visit with the Commission about fire safety and an adjoining property to his vineyard.
Dennis Bowers met with the Commission to discuss research he had done on NW500 Rd in Honey Creek Township, in which a gate had been placed across the road. He shared that he visited with Stephen Smith of the Honey Creek Township Board, who stated that portions of NW500 Rd had been closed some 70 years ago. He stated that it was closed west of the fence line. Additional information, provided by Kelly Marriott, Deputy County Clerk, showed that the road in question was not closed, except for west of the fence line, as it appeared in an old plat book. She shared that she was unable to find anything, other than very vague Commissioner Minutes from the 1960’s.
Commissioner Bradley reviewed the request from Jason Wareham regarding the Deepwater Township’s Board. After, he made a motion to appoint Cassidy Cooper as Clerk, Bailey Carter as Treasurer, and JR Brownsberger as Board Member. The terms end April 2025. Commissioner Larson seconded the motion. The motion passed with a roll call vote of Larson – yes, Bradley – yes, and Stone – yes.
The group discussed COLA’s to employees and the effective date, as well as raises and its effective date.
Dennis Bowers shared that he and Commissioner Larson had driven the north side of the county together. He also shared that the crew is replacing about 100 road signs. He discussed that he will be erecting a road sign at the location of a stop sign that had been stolen in Windsor Special Road District, for emergency services.
Dennis shared that he continues to wait for the weather to clear, before pouring the concrete deck on the bridge on NW1501 Rd in Bogard Township.
The group discussed replacing stop signs that have been stolen. Dennis shared that the Mowermaxx mower is still due to be delivered on Friday the 17th.
The group discussed the use of a road groomer. Dennis shared that road groomers need heavy duty equipment, as moving aggregate with the groomer is very heavy, making it not cost effective. He stated that townships may not be interested in the equipment if it is not easy to hook up to and use.
Collector – Treasurer Ann Julian gave information to the Commission in regards to signature cards that they will need to fill out at the bank.
The Commission discussed the upcoming Transportation Advisory Council meeting and Kaysinger Regional Planning Commission on Thursday January 16th. It was decided to not meet on Thursday, due to the timing of the meeting.
The group discussed the upcoming CORPS of Engineers meeting on the 21st of January.
The group had more discussion on the gated area of NW500 Rd in Honey Creek Township.
The group discussed the date for the annual Township / Special Road District meeting. It was decided to host the meeting early in March.
At 11:16 a.m. Commissioner Larson made a motion to adjourn, Commissioner Bradley seconded the motion, motion carried.
