Kacie Robey, the Treasurer/Collector, and Carl Bettels, the Assessor, came in and sat down with the Commission.
Kacie spoke for both offices, questioning the motion Trent made to wave penalties on an individual’s taxes. He came in to pay his taxes and seen that a truck was taken off that should not have been and did not feel as if he should have to pay the late fees of putting the truck back on. Kacie stated that her office told him not to pay if he did not think it was correct, and he paid anyway. She also stated that the individual claimed that he was going to speak to John over the matter. John then informed Kacie and Carl that he did not have any say in that matter, as he did not vote on the situation. He left the decision up to Trent and Jim due to his friendship and did not want to be accused of favoritism.
Kacie showed them a paper trail that she had, feeling as if this was not a software or clerical issue because she seen the 2017 Dodge listed on the scrap receipt. Trent then explained that the scrap yard will note the vehicle that brought scrap in. Kacie then understood the issue.
John made the offer that going further, these offices need to join the meetings to which Kacie then stated that’s what she was requesting. She feels as if the offices need to have a say in these matters due to the guidelines they have to abide by. She stated in 2025 there were eight different occasions that resulted in waving fees and penalties, making it look like her office is the one doing so. She feels as if Carl and her should not have to babysit people to stay up on their taxes, pay them on time and check their assessment sheets to make sure the information is correct. She understands when there is a mistake made, they should own up to it, but when there are fees being waved that shouldn’t be, it is taking money from the schools and townships.
All of them agreed that it would be beneficial for everyone if these offices were present and think this should have been happening all along.
At 1:01 p.m. Trent Nelson made the motion to go into closed session to speak with the Missouri State Auditors per 610.021(17). John Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried.
At 2:02 p.m. John made the motion to go back into open session. Trent Nelson seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried.
May 18, 2026 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
John made a motion amending Resolution No. 12-0507 and Resolution No. 10-03-12 to reestablish the Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board and to modify abatement terms and eligibility requirements to the Bates County Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board in Bates County, Missouri. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried.
A Bid sheet for Adrian was revised for plastic tubes and sent out to the newspaper and several different culvert companies.
Ann Evans, the Secretary of New Home Township, came in and discussed the issues that are current within the Township. The Trustee has been difficult to reach, she says, and has some concerns about where the road grader keys are among other things. The road grader is believed to be residing at the Trustee’s last known residence. Ann cannot access the bank account or view anything to keep the township afloat while she tries to find others to join, as everyone wants to resign from their board member positions. She cannot review any of the bank statements either, as they are also being sent to the Trustee’s last known residence. She states that she does not want to be Trustee and asked how to get the Trustee off the board as Trustee. Trent explained the process and reassured her that he will speak to individuals that live in that township to see if there is any interest in wanting to join.
Ann plans to have some township meetings in hopes of lining out the current issues and adding people to the board that are motivated to get the township back into shape.
Kent Page, the new Road and Bridge Supervisor, came in during the meeting with some unrelated issues and Trent introduced them and Ann discussed a bridge off K Highway that needs some work. Kent had just recently seen this issue when driving by on the way to another issue that needed fixed and told her he would investigate it. Trent said that he believes that bridge had been previously patched but seems to need some more repairs.
Brent Bettels came in, asking the Commission how they arrived at certain agreements so he can have knowledgeable answers when he attends the township meeting later this evening. He also asked for clarification that there were also counter benefits ran of the Cost Benefit Analysis. John assured him there was and told him it came back almost identical.
Brent questioned one part of the document where they were explaining what would happen if they sold. He seen some things that he felt needed changed and asked the Commission to investigate it. Jim stated that this specific area was not speaking over land, just the panels but Brent was certain it meant the land so Jim read through and found where it said it was referring to the land.
Brent brought up another way to look at this entire situation, but Jim stated he didn’t have answers as the Commission had not viewed it from that perspective.
Brent asked about the meeting for June 3rd and asked who would be attending. John said that it should have been worded that it was for the entities that are dealing with this project.
He asked if they tried to negotiate different amounts with Clearway. John informed him that they had very specific asks and were told no. Clearway would not do anymore of a lump sum up front that they had originally planned for. Brent then pointed out that as inflation goes up, the interest rate is going to be so far behind by the end of the thirty-year period. Jim and John spoke on how Jim tried for a decent escalator. They explained that it was a fight to get the one they currently have.
He then spoke about the General Fund and the percentage the County will be receiving and how they can use funds from the General Fund for certain things, but Jim and John let him know that it was not a possibility. Brent then explained it again in detail and John understood and followed what he was getting at.
Brent then pointed out the money they are missing out on giving the townships and the schools by doing a Chapter 100 Bond. John then pointed out that there was small price to having the surety of the bond. Brent then questioned some missing information on the revenue side.
Jim said that there is no Road Use Agreement, but Brent stated that he was told from Josh and Barry that they were expecting to pay a certain set amount on roads and such, to which John agreed and said Brent was correct and stated that the Commission fully expects them to pay.
Jami Page, the County Clerk, joined the meeting and asked the Commission about the Administrative Fee. Jim stated that half was to Road and Bridge and the other half to the Clerk’s Office. She asked what her office was going to be taking on, that was extra that she would need compensation for. Jim told her that there are potentially more checks and such to be written and that the money was there as a “just in case” her office did more. Jami stated that she doesn’t need compensation for writing a few extra checks and in her opinion, she’d rather see that money go to the township. She then asked about the portion that said the Tax Rates were going to be the same from 2025-2057. She asked about the fluctuation that happens and asked for clarification.
Trent then spoke over some numbers with Brent.
After Brent left the Commission had a discussion and John made the motion to remove the Administrative Fee the County would receive, to increase the total the taxing entities will receive. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.
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