The Bates County Commissioners want to again, clarify information that has been released from the former State Auditor's office, Nicole Galloway.
People are told that the Commissioners had been paid by Cornland Special Road District to maintain their roads. The term "Commissioner" refers to the Board Members, not the County Commissioners. If you read the findings of the Auditor's office, you will see the names of the persons who received money. The Bates County Commissioners did not receive any money for maintaining the roads, nor did any of us do any work to maintain the roads.
The Auditor's office looks at Bates County like the County they are in. The County Commissioners in the county oversee the maintenance and repairs of those roads. Bates County has a "Township" form of government. You the residents of the township elect a township or special road board. They are responsible for overseeing the maintenance of the roads. The County Commissioners have no authority over these boards. When you call the Commissioners with a road problem, we in turn call the township or special board members and ASK them to check on the roads and repair the roads as needed. Again, all we can do is the same as you can do. ASK board members to repair the roads.
For the County Commissioners to be able to correct road issues, Bates County would have to abolish the township from of government. A note on this issue, if Bates County were to abolish the township form of government, ZONING would not be any part of that. Zoning can become effective at any time and ONLY by a vote of the public. There is one township in Bates County that has implemented zoning and it only applies to that township.
The person who initiated the request for an audit only had to pay for the price of a stamp. Since the audit has been conducted, Cornland Special Road District now must pay the Auditor's Office $28,000.00+ in 5 years. Cornland only receives approximately $8,500 per year in tax revenue and CART funds. This amount is to be used for maintenance and gravel for the roads.
Again, your Bates County Commissioners have NO control over the township or special road district boards.
Jim Wheatley
Trent Nelson
Ken Mooney
