Saturday, October 18, 2025

Weekly report from the Bates County Commission

October 6, 2025
The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
Zachary Olivas with Great River had called on Friday to let the Commission they received the request to cancel the soft match bridge on 9002. After a walk thru with Road and Bridge Supervisor Bill Stephan, he and John decided a better replacement would be the one on SE County Road 3286. The materials bid set for the 15th was cancelled for now. Great River will reset with the updated location.

October 8, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Vanessa Kennedy and Samantha Blum with Code One Wellness came in at their scheduled meeting. They came to discuss Opioid Settlements funds. Samantha had a meeting with Judge Highley on the Summit Proposal. Judge Highley approves of the Summit and appointed Samantha as the Treatment Liaison for the Opioid Board. The dates are still undetermined due to the government shutdown. UMKC is who is helping with this as well. There will be 2 different dates. The first one would be for the Officials in the community the second for the community. They are trying to get Judge Highley to speak at the Summit. Vanessa asked how to move forward with the funding. Jim stated "We haven't been given a list of who is on this committee. We have no idea she got a Committee." Vanessa states she is still working on the committee. She hasn’t had time to get it all in place. Jim stated Judge Highley had given him an application for the opioid funding that is one page. Jim referred to the paperwork he received from Gasconade County. They prefer to adopt a similar set up and documentation as it is more detailed to ensure that the guidelines are being followed. Samantha asked since Judge Highley approved of the Summit, does the Commission need to approve it? John stated the board is supposed to give us recommendations to approve. Jim stated we are waiting for her to set up the board. John stated it's not that we don’t agree with it. It's just not set up. The Commission is waiting on Judge Highley and the Opioid Board before they give out any funds. John asked about the Code One Wellness Program. The clinic is open Monday through Friday with telehealth on Saturdays as well. They have 175 to 215 patients. New sign-ups are between 5 to 6 a week with 30 to 50 patients seen weekly. Vanessa stated she has no luck getting help with inpatient from Bates County Memorial Hospital. They are looking to open on in Nevada. Both parties need to follow up with Judge Highley to get this moving forward. Currently over $106,888.79 is being held for these projects.
Work in progress
1. Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023 updated 9/10/25.
2. Rattlesnake Hill Roads 11/06/2023 evening meeting 6/11/25 still gaining signatures. As of 8/7/25, nine people need to sign. All need to sign to move the drives to roads.
3. Opioid Settlement Resolution 10/2/2024 (Judge Highley). ($106,888.79 to date 9/3/2025)
4. EEZ Board 3/26/2025 Proposal Fee with scope of work received $12,000.00 fixed fee 8/13/25 updated 9/10/25 fixed fee reduced to $9,500.00.





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