The Commission received an email from the US Treasury stating they are withdrawing the recoupment of the ARPA funds as all reporting was completed and accepted.
Vanessa Kennedy, Samantha Blum and Emily Gilkey with Code 1 Wellness came in on their scheduled meeting to discuss funding for a Rural Community Opioid Education Summit. They are trying to bridge the gap left between addiction, mental health crisis, and the legal systems. There is a lack of knowledge of where an individual can reach out for help. Code 1 originally set out to have a resource for First Responders as they have specific needs. In the rural areas the first responders have a lack of coverage and support for dealing with the traumas they experience in the course of their jobs. Vanessa states with a wellness program in place for first responders’ other insurance premiums can go down for the cities. They have a list of resources available for a list of community needs including critical incidents. They have grown in the Adrian community that is accepting and supporting their efforts. They have opened their focus to the public. When trying to gain support and participation from other medical professionals they have met with push back and determent. Her efforts with Bates County Memorial Hospital were turned away. She mentioned a forum they attended where there was a lot of talk but no follow-through or action afterwards. BCMH has its own set of issues and public opinion leading them to have community surveys and meetings. “it is people that have said, hey, if, if I have a heart attack, don't call Bates County. I'm serious. I mean multiple, not just one or two, but I mean multiple, do not send me to Bates County.” stated John. “They are working on it, or they are trying to work on that aspect.” John further states. Trent mentioned an abandoned boy’s home in Rich Hill that might fit Vanessa’s goal of having an inpatient facility for detoxing and mental health. The Commission informed them that Judge Highley has taken on forming the Opioid Board. Conversations with her would be needed.
Shane Balk with iNetVisions came in on this scheduled meeting to discuss upgrading the county's telecommunications infrastructure. Lumen's current $85,635 annual cost for internet and phone services was highlighted, with a proposed $84,560 annual cost if Lumen is retained. Shane proposed moving to an in-house phone system, saving $30,000 annually, and using SIP trunks for $600 monthly. For internet, Conexon and Starlink were considered, offering significant cost reductions. Fiber connections between buildings were proposed, with an initial cost of $170,000 and a payback period of 26 months. RFP will be published for bid on the project.
June 4, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
The Commission has had 2 invoices submitted recently that have led to several discussions on the legalities of using the taxpayers funds for public functions. Possible meeting will be called with the office holder.
Lindsey Chaffin and Zak Olivas with Great River came in on their scheduled meeting. The BRO bridge project contract was signed. They should be starting in September and scheduled to be completed in December given any weather issues. The soft match current balance is $2,132.75. They discussed which bridge out of the remaining ones for repairs to start for soft match credit. Out of the 3 possibilities bridge # 2590026 would be the best candidate for Road and Bridge to complete the work. The other 2 would need a contractor. The cost of the labor, benefits, and engineering would equate soft match credit for future builds.
John made the motion to move forward with replacing bridge #2590026 on route 9002 over Willow Branch for soft match credits. Trent seconded the motion. All vote yes. No opposition.
Great River will begin the process. Turning to the TAP project for the Courthouse sidewalks. Jim signed off on the plans to be submitted to MoDOT’s final approval. This should go out to bid in July with the possibility of also being completed in late fall.
John has organized a Rattlesnake hill meeting set for Wednesday June 11 at 6pm at 2750 SE Rattlesnake Hill.
Work in progress
Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023 updates current
Rattlesnake Hill Roads 11/06/2023 updates current.
Policy Regarding Computer, E-Mail, Devices and Social Media given 2/14/2024
Telephone Contracts 3/11/2024 updates current as of June 2, 2025
Opioid Settlement Resolution 10/2/2024 (Judge Highley)
EEZ Board 3/26/2025
June 9, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
The Commission received an email from Butler City Administrator Corey Snead requesting a letter of support for the TAP-Project through MoDOT from Prospect street to Fran Avenue.
John made the motion to submit a recommendation letter for the TAP Sidewalk Project. Trent seconded the motion. All vote yes. Motion carried. No opposition.
County Clerk Jami Page submitted a quote from inFlux services on cleaning the windows at the courthouse. The glass has had construction and grime resulting in a film that doesn’t easily come off and poor vision through the glass. Interior and exterior $4365.63 or exterior only $2,425.35.
Trent made the motion to have the Courthouse windows exterior and interior cleaned for the quoted $4365.63. John seconded the motion. All vote yes. Motion carried. No opposition.
Two different Township Board members stopped in separately to speak on road maintenance and funding issues. Gary Anderson with Cornland and Rick Laning with New Home. The Commission has made some changes to the contract this year and in the coming year they are hoping to make the CART funds division clearer in the road mileage each township must maintain. Rick asked about using the road grooming equipment the county purchased this last year. The Commission extended for any township to call and speak with Bill Stephan for the road groomers to be used on their roads. The township will pay for the fuel and the Road Crew will perform the work. This will ensure there are no insurance issues, and the equipment is being used by those trained for it. Rick spoke on 2 road issues he is facing from overuse by hauling trucks that are tearing them up causing more wear than normal. One on county road 4647 and another on the Cemetery road. The commission told him about ways to build them up but did not have any comforting answers on funding or materials.
Road and Bridge supervisor Bill Stephan was in to speak on the recent decision the commission made to replace bridge #2590026 on county road 9002 over Willow Branch for soft match money with the state. Great River will be engineering construction and Road and Bridge will be doing the labor. They talked about the possibility of making some minor repairs to a few other bridges. They encouraged Bill to hire 2 more workers.
