Minutes from the September 30, 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.
Jami Page, Bates County Clerk, met with the Commission to discuss the budget amendment so the $500,000 received from Swan Solar can be spent. She explained that she added a “Community Benefit” line in the budget.
John made a motion to approve the amendment to the budget. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed. No opposition. Jami will send this over to the State Auditor for approval.
John then mentioned that Bates County Memorial Hospital found an ambulance. He was unsure of any other details, as they did not share any with him.
Shelli White, Circuit Clerk, and Hugh Jenkins, Prosecuting Attorney, came in and spoke with Gary Ratfliff, Maintenance, and the Commission about the mold issue at the Courthouse. They also spoke briefly about the heating and cooling, and how the Courthouse is not keeping up. They discussed new cleaning approaches as a band-aide until they can fix the issue completely and a plan on getting the heating and cooling fixed.
Jim contacted State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) and was advised that they could move forward. Everyone involved in the matter was informed.
Darrin Peters, with Missouri Soybeans, came in and spoke to the Commission on different things they offer and how they can provide things that the townships and cities could benefit from.
Minutes from the October 5, 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.
Jami Page, Bates County Clerk, presented another Sunshine Request that she received from Gayle Beachner and encouraged them to read the request before she sent the response. The Commission then read the Sunshine Request. John asked Jami if she had heard anything from the Attorney General’s Office and she informed him that she had not. Jami and the Commission discussed what their Attorney’s encouraged them to do.
Jami told them that she has informed Gayle that a judge will have to decide to release the report, but the response will not change until then. She then stated she would tell Gayle this once more, as her legal counsel had advised.
Theresa Heckenlively, with Kaysinger Basin, came in and talked to the Commission about Safe Streets for All Regional Plan. Since then, there was a public survey put out, and she came to share the responses for Bates County. There were a lot of responses for Butler, and a select few for Rich Hill. 66% were within City Limits and 33% weren’t. She informed the Commission that Bates County did a phenomenal job getting information out there and finding the surveys and told the Commission that they should be proud of their community. Theresa went on to speak about the lack of/or poorly maintained sidewalks in all communities noted on the surveys.
Trent made a motion to release the tax sale excess fund to Mayella Heckadon for Ellsworth Heckadon’s property. John seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.
Jami, Bates County Clerk, informed the Commission that she went and spoke to Kacie about the excess fund from the tax sale and told them that she will need a letter from them stating that they have researched and found zero liens on the property and to release the money to her.
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