County Clerk Jami Page, informed the Commission that Rick Laning was resigning as Trustee of New Home Township. They would like for the Commission to appoint Phil Marlin to replace him.
Trent made the motion to appoint Phil Marlin as Trustee for New Home Township for the remainder of Rick Laning's term. Jim seconded the motion. All vote yes. Motion passed. No opposition.
October 20, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
9:30 a.m. Judge Highley met with the Commission regarding the Opioid money. The Judge had emailed the Commission the bylaws, resolution and application. Judge had told Samantha from Code 1 Wellness when she met with her that there was not a board set up yet. The Judge said that she did not put Samantha on the board. The board would take the burden off the Commission. Donna Morris and Jim Wheatley had both filed reports that there had not been any money spent in 2024. The Judge asked the Commission if they wanted a board to support this. The Commission said yes, they wanted a board and then the Commission will review the applications and decide to approve or deny the requests. There are a lot more things that the opioid money can be used for besides telehealth and behavioral health. Jim gave Gasconade County’s request for funding to the Judge for her to use to create a more detailed application. The Judge reiterated to the Commission that she has not yet formed a board and has not promised any funds. Nothing can be done until the Commission adopts the resolution. Once the Commission adopts the resolution then the Judge will form a board. But it won’t be done before the summit that Code 1 Wellness is having. The Commission has concerns over what Code 1 Wellness is going to use the funding for. Code 1 Wellness asked for $15,000 for their summit. There is over $8000 requested for just food. Jim stated that the money is to be used for mental health dependency from opioids. What they are asking for is mental health care for First Responders. The Judge said that they will be getting requests from treatment court for opioid use and funding requests from another organization to supply Narcan. There will also be applications to send people to the State Treatment Court. Treatment Court does not have a source of funding. The Judge stated, initially, there will be monthly meetings of the board. She said that we have been blessed with these funds and must find good use for them. She wants to put the Prosecution Attorney, Judge, someone from treatment court, the Victim Advocate, an alumnus from treatment court and a member of the public on the board. The Judge is going to resend the resolution to the Commission in a word document so they can make changes to it. She will also revise the application. The Judge stated that she will leave the Summit up to the Commission to decide if they are going to fund it or not.
10:00 a.m. The Commission attended the salary commission meeting with elected officials.
After the Salary Commission adjourned, the Commission discussed employee COLAs for next year. Jim stated we must give employees at least a 3 ¾ % COLA due to the salary commission giving officeholders a 3 ½ % COLA. Chad Anderson recommended it being a feasible amount then officeholders can give their employees a performance raise. Chad would like to see the Commission give a 4% or 5% COLA. He likes that flexibility. The COLA must be the same for all employees. Last year, employees received a 5% COLA. John Gray made the motion to give employees a 4% COLA and let officeholders give an additional performance increase based on their budgets. Jim Wheatley seconded the motion. Trent Nelson said he would like to see the employees get a 5% COLA. John stated it allows the officeholders to give additional. There was no further discussion. All were in favor. Motion passed.
11:00 a.m. Vanessa and Samantha from Code 1 Wellness met with the Commission. Vanessa got a call from the hospital, and she had to clarify with them what happened in the last meeting with the Commission. Code 1 does support the hospital. Judge Highley called her to state that the Commission did not communicate with her. The Judge told Vanessa that she is out as far as the board goes. Vanessa made a new application. Jim told them that they had met with the Judge that morning. Samantha said the Judge told her that she wanted Samantha on the board as a treatment liaison. Vanessa does not want to be the middleman anymore. John said there was conflicting information. Jim told them what the Judge and told the Commission this morning. Samantha said the Judge told them they could have the money for the summit, and she would fund it. The Opioid Network is involved with the summit, and they would handle the educational aspect of things. November 13th is when the educational portion of the summit will be held at the Optimist. This will be for the community to come in and see what they officer. On day 1, November 12th, they will facilitate a non-biased round table. They can fund their own portion on the 12th. Code 1 Wellness has to fund the second day for the education portion. They are requesting $15,000 for the second day of the summit but they want to also help with the first day. Jill Eriksen is their contact from UMKC. Jim said the Commission is waiting for the board to be set up then they can sign the resolution. Vanessa said that was great news and glad the Judge is back on board. They will keep in contact with Judge Highley.
3:30 Kacie Robey and Daniel Stewart met with the Commission regarding a tax sale issue. Daniel was contacted by a realtor regarding property that Jeff Tourtillott owns in Rich Hill. There is an issue with 40 feet of property on the east side of the house that is located on Hickory street. Jeff owns the 40 feet and the problem is that it was sold at tax sale this year. Jeff bought the property in 2022 from Citizen's Bank. Gary Hazen bought the property at tax sale. The Assessor shows the 40 feet was still owned by Evelyn Meyers. The bank took it over in 2021. Jeff bought it from the bank but the Assessor still shows Meyers owns it. The Assessor never changed the property to the bank or to Jeff. Kacie sold the property because back taxes were showing due because of the Assessor never changed the property in the system to the new owner. Kacie believes she can refund the money to the buyer from the tax sale. Jeff did everything correct that he needed to do by recording the deed in his name. Jim stated that something happened between the Recorder and the Assessor. Kacie needs to undo what was done at the tax sale. Jeff shouldn't owe any penalty or interest. The Commission advised Kacie to contact her attorney.
Jami Page, Bates County Clerk was served a summons in a civil case. The defendant on the case is Bates County. She advised the Commission they needed to send the summons to their attorney because they have 30 days to respond to the summons. This does not have anything to do with her or her office. It is in regards to tax sale surplus money.