Minutes from the October 7, 2026 Bates County Commission meeting
The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
Chris Gach was present for all meetings.
Layne Anderson, with Cornland Special Road District, came in and presented a recommendation letter to the Commission for Mark Heckadon and Alex Little to be appointed to the vacant seats on the Township Board. John felt there was no issue with appointing them but stated he was leaving that up to Trent, as this was his district. John also stated that the Commission would need a little more information for them to be able to create their letters of appointment.
Trent made a motion to accept Mark Heckadon and Alex Little to fill the vacancies on Cornland Special Road District Board. John seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.
Layne told the Commissioners that they have found a road grader to use and David Schapeler is the one operating it part time. Trent spoke over David’s capabilities, and the experience David has, reassuring Layne that David will do a wonderful job on getting the roads fixed and recovering gravel from ditches.
Layne informed the Commission of the website that he has created. The website contains important information about the township and is where you can find a text alert number that keeps the residents in the township up to date on meetings or road closures due to bad weather, etc. Layne went on to tell them about the QR Code that he has placed at the end of the roads for easy access to the website and alert number. The number has the capability to receive text messages from anyone to report issues. That text will then be sent onto the Commissioners of the township to notify them of the issue. Jim asked Layne to put this into a document that can be shared with other Townships. John thought it would be beneficial for all townships.
Jim asked Layne about their financials. Layne explained that he is confident that money won’t be an issue and the money they do have will continue to be spent on the roads and things that the township needs. Jim reminded him about the road groomers that Road and Bridge have that keeps the roads kept once they reach the maintenance period.
The Commission then thanked Layne for everything he has done since joining the Township Board.
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