Weekly report from the Bates County Commission
November 17, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley and Northern Commissioner John Gray. Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson absent.Sonia Lalla with Small Business Administration (SBA) for Disaster Recovery, Located based in Washington DC with an office located in Neveda Mo, met with the Commission to discuss Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) on Monday, November 10th. After their discussion, Jim asked for a phone meeting with one of her leaders.
SBA Leader Ranada Mason called Jim. Jim and the SBA Leader furthermore discussed these loans. As mentioned in Monday’s discussion, these loans are meant for Businesses and Nonprofits who have paid for or is paying for natural disaster damage. Jim asked about local Farmers who have an LLC, technically making them a business. The SBA Leader informed Jim that they are encouraged to fill out an application so the SBA office can review it and make the decision of eligibility.
They are more likely to be eligible if they are a “Value Added Agriculture” instead of a personal profit. SBA Leader reminded Jim that Farmers without and LLC should reach out to USDA if they are paying or have paid for disaster related issues because of the "thin line" of where SBA comes vs. USDA.
SBA Leader informed Jim that they would be setting up a meeting with USDA to talk about how they will operate together to help the Farmers without an LLC. Jim told her that he would reach out to USDA, as well, to let them know that the he spoke with SBA and he has an understanding of everything. She let Jim know that she would reach out again once that meeting happened and let the Commissioners know how SBA and USDA will work together moving forward.
Judge Julie Highley came in to review an Opioid Application that had been presented to the Opioid Board. The Opioid Board recommended said application to the Commission for approval. John made a motion to accept the amount through Opioid Funding. Jim seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.
