Weekly reports from the Bates County Commission
June 8, 2026
The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson. Northern Commissioner John Gray was absent.
Walter Fairall came in and discussed a road near his place of residence that needs fixed. He stated that the individual running the road grader had graded the road and left multiple potholes in the road. Jim gave him the Mound Township Board information and encouraged him to reach out to them. Walter stated that he figured the Commission would have the information he needed or knew where to direct him so he figured he would start here first. Trent reassured him that he is always more than welcome to come in and address anything.
Brenda Cecil, with EMA, and Chad Anderson, with Bates County Sheriff’s Office, met with the Commission and spoke over the Text Alerts. She informed the Commission that they had completed training and wanted to touch base. She thanked Chad for joining on such late notice and was thankful for the information he gave. Dennis Jacobs, with EMA, later joined as well.
Chad then updated the Commission on their bid that was posted for a new booking desk. He informed them that he only received one bid and wanted to move forward. Jim stated that there would have to be a motion made due to the bid being over a certain amount. Trent then made a motion to accept the bid for a new concrete booking desk. Jim seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.
Chad then asked the Commission about the 9-1-1 Addresses that were supposed to be passed onto Carl Bettels, Bates County Assessor. He reminded the Commission that this was supposed to be done and over by February of 2026 and nothing has been switched yet, nor has he heard anything other than Carl stating he would not be doing the addresses until he got new software. Jim said that he would reach out and see what is happening and informed Chad that they are in the process of getting information and switching data from the software company they are currently trying to switch from.
Jami Page, Bates County Clerk, spoke with the Commission about the Audit Response for the Sheriff’s Audit. Everything was reviewed. Trent made a motion to send the Audit Responses. Jim seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.
Jami informed them she will send it to the auditors right after the meeting.
Jami also brought up the two positions that are still open on the Road and Bridge crew and asked if there needed to be an ad listed for job openings. Jim immediately made a motion to run an ad for two CDL drivers for Road and Bridge. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.
Trent then spoke over a road that will be closed in Hume and discussed who we would be informing of the closure and how many days ahead of time he would give them a heads up.
Culvert Bid Opening started at 2:00 pm and Viebrock, Metal Culverts Inc., West Pipe and Welborn had all submitted a bid. Viebrock was not in attendance, but they started with their bid. Viebrock bid $13, 582.00, Metal Culverts Inc. bid $16,533.40, West Pipe bid $13,420.40 and Welborn bid $14,342.82. West Pipe has the cheapest bid out of everyone.
Trent made a motion to accept West Pipe with bid of $13,420.40. Jim seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.
June 10, 2026
The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson. Northern Commissioner John Gray was absent.
Layne Anderson came in to follow up on his quest to join the Cornland Special Road Board. He informed the Commission of the meeting they held to appoint Layne as Trustee. Russell Epperson has given the Commission his resignation letter and will no longer be on the board.
Layne began talking about certain things he has found since reviewing paperwork that needs to be addressed and filed but wanted to make sure he had a position on the Board before he did anything.
Trent made a motion to appoint Layne to Trustee for Cornland Special Road District. Jim seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.
Trent then had to dismiss himself due to prior commitments.
Jim then asked Layne if he knew anyone that would be interested in sitting on the Board with him, but he did not. Jim then informed him that there is a younger couple that lives in that Road District and had some concerns about their road and encouraged Layne to reach out and see if they had any interest in getting on the Board and making a difference. He then stated that before his dad passed, his dad told this couple that there was nothing he could do to help with their road and Layne felt he should go and introduce himself and mend some fences. He stated his main goal is to get the board back on track and get everything lined out financially with the State, as well as the Road District.
Jim showed Layne different machines that are used to keep roads maintained or fixed. He showed him road graders, groomers and a road reclaimer.
Layne asked Jim about the letter and minutes that he will need at the bank to get everything turned over into his name. Jim then asked if he had a few minutes to spare, he would make his letter appointing him to Trustee but ended up having to send Layne on his way with no letter due to the Northern and Southern Commissioners being absent at that time, therefore he could not obtain another signature.
Trent made a motion to accept the agreement between the Village of Foster and the Collectors Office. Jim seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.
Jim made a motion to revise the Commissioners responses to the Sheriffs Audit. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.
June 15, 2026
The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
Lindsey Chaffin & Zachary Olivas, with Great River Engineering, as well as Kent Page, the Road and Bridge Superintendent, joined the Commission in discussing a bridge that will soon be under construction. Zach and Lindsey informed the Commission and Kent of the documentation and details they will need them to track.
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