In the month of February, Crawford County Commissioners conducted business for the county each week at their meetings. In addition to those items previously reported on in other stories, the commission made decisions, heard reports and answered citizen questions and concerns as follows.
The commission appointed former Presiding Commissioner Leo Sanders to fill an opening on the Friends Helping Friends (Senate Bill 40) board in the county. The board administers services for the care or employment of people with developmental disabilities. The appointment was made after the board followed new policies in place from the commission which requires advertisement of the opening and a recommendation from the board.
Treasurer Karen Sikes reported sales tax revenue was up over last year at this time.
Citizen Cindy Redburn asked whether the commission would consider the suggestion made in an editorial by Rob Viehman to combine the two county road districts into one, under one road supervisor. District #1 Commissioner Rob Cummings said the county is too large for one person to cover. District #2 Commissioner Jared Boast said it would require the hiring of an additional person but agreed “any organization has to always be looking for ways to improve. I’m not going to tell you it won’t work, but I’m not going to tell you it will.”
Redburn also asked about the county’s purchase of the building located at 409 S. Franklin, questioning whether the coroner had input in the process, and whether there had been an appraisal on the property. She reported the building had been purchased shortly before its sale to the county for $89,000, then sold for $149,000.
The commission received the annual report from the University of Missouri Extension. Council Chairperson Linda Bast noted, “When you support Extension, you also support 4-H. We try our best to give them the foundation to be productive citizens of our county.” She also introduced new staff members Brandi Richardson, who will serve as Extension and Engagement Specialist, and Julianna Thrasher, who will be 4-H Youth Specialist.
Mark Newman, with Practical POCUS, provided an update on their building and services since they have received ARPA funds for the project to expand the local business. They will have a grand opening on March 23.
The commission also briefly discussed rules for ARPA disbursements within the county, noting funds must be allocated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026. Those entities in the county that have received awards will be notified if they don’t have intentions or capability of completing their project, they need to relinquish the right to the funds and give the county time to budget and spend the money. The commission will determine how those funds would be spent.
Both the county Treasurer and Recorder of Deeds provided reports to the commission. Treasurer Karen Sikes gave ending balances in county accounts as of January 31. Recorder of Deeds Kim Cook noted her office is down for recordings compared to last year at this time, but said January and February are slow months.
Citizen Linda Kitchen offered praise to the county road district for installing a new culvert to assist with an issue on Lick Creek Road. Another man, however, said his road was “in the worst shape it has been in 50 years,” and complained about ditching and cleaning out culverts. Boast provided the phone number 573-245-6499 for people to call if they have concerns. There are two contracted personnel who monitor calls and try to get a call back to the person the same day.
Redburn asked about engineering services utilized by the county. Boast explained Great Rivers Engineering provides for most of the road and bridge needs and AE Stack Design for structural needs.
Closing for the purchase of the Three Rivers Publishing building by the county was scheduled for March 14, with plans for the place to be vacated by May 1 for the county’s usage.
Citizen Mark Pfeiffer suggested utilizing the former garage building the county purchased at 409 S. Franklin as a place to maintain county vehicles. Presiding Commissioner Steve Black noted there has been discussion on that possibility.
Black also reported he had been contacted with a suggestion to move the Crawford County Health Department to the former Tutterow building (also on Franklin) instead of the Extension office.
County Clerk John Martin reported the county’s health insurance rates for the year will increase by only seven percent, much less than the budgeted projection of 22.5 percent.