Report from the Bates County Commission

Note that any missing dates have already been posted  OR information has not yet been received and will be posted later

January 27, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
Reviewed Invoices
No scheduled meetings.
Reviewed a few work in progress information.
John went over to the courthouse and picked up the proposed remodel to the courtroom. This has been brought up over the last few years.

Jim contacted NForm Architect to see if they still have the plans for the complete 3rd floor (courthouse) remodel.

January 29, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
County Clerk Jami Page came in to discuss the election. Several township election vacancies, including Deep Water Township, Howard Township, Mount Pleasant Township, and New Home, will require write-in candidates. West Boone Township failed to send their certification. She made several attempts to contact them. After some research, since their terms expire in April they will have to recommend names to the commission to be appointed to those positions. Or get a court order for an election which could end up being expensive for them. Charlotte Township did not file for their levy, and it expired last year.

The panic button system was installed on Tuesday. They had the wrong wire harness so one was over-nighted, and Sheriff Anderson was shown how to install it. They will do a live test then.

Gary Ratliff has Jeremy with Moose Electric over today working on the lights on the courthouse exterior. Jim mentioned how nice it would be to have the music in the clock tower work again. This takes programming and timing with the Methodist Church.

Jami asked for an update on the Senior Tax Credit. She states how the public is questioning why this is not in place. Jim stated they will go ahead and work on this today. Everything is in place and ready to go just waiting on the Commission to sign and accept the ordinance. The Application needs to be finalized. Jim stated how he wanted them to speak at the republican meeting to explain how the Senior Tax Credit is being implemented in Bates County. Jim states “we all know the state didn’t want to deal with it. They gave it to us because it is a political thing. Make it all look good, so they can get elected to positions higher than where they were at or get re-elected to positions. “He further states “the whole thing was a joke, sure, it made them look good. Then they sold it to Parsons”. He states Parsons was not briefed by his staff as to what this really was, because he would never have signed it the way it was. He would have sent it back. Jim feels they did this to make Parsons look bad.
Jim gave a review of his meeting with Quad Lakes Solid Waste Management. They are offering small grants for cardboard balers to keep this recycled and out of landfills.

County Clerk Jami Page, and County Collector / Treasurer Jimmy Platt convened with the Commission to work on the Senior Tax Credit Ordinance. The meeting focused on finalizing the ordinance for a property tax credit for senior citizens in Bates County. Key points included clarifying that the tax credit applies only to Bates County levy, excluding other tax levies. Complying with the Hancock Amendment by not changing levies voted in by the people. The application period opens the first Monday in February and ends the last Monday in April. The ordinance specifies that the credit is based on the 2024 base year. The application process requires proof of ownership, identification, and residency. The ordinance was approved and will be implemented, with potential amendments based on state modifications to the relevant Senate bills. Jami drew up a press release. The commission approved it.

John made the motion to approve the Senior Tax Credit Ordinance. Trent seconded the motion. In added discussion, John stated to accept it as is knowing that amendments can be made as needed. Jim reiterated that and included any changes the state makes or future senate bills that may affect it. All voted yes. Motion passed. No opposition.

Jimmy Platt stated “My work here is done”

Sheriff Chad Anderson came in to report that the radio for the panic buttons was wired in and found it not to be able to reach the dispatchers. It will need an antenna to be able to reach the dispatchers. He will contact Motorola to get one coming and get with Gary Ratliff on the installation.

Chad mentioned the generator replacement is not going as planned. The new generator will require a new tank and will have to be 5 feet from the building. This requires a new placement as when the building was remodeled a hall way was added that took up that space between the generator and the building.

Lindsey Chaffin with Great River called and stated that MoDOT is having an issue with the West Door entrance on the courthouse concerning the sidewalk replacement as it is not ADA compliant. Even though the public are not using this as an entrance. She asked if the county would consider paying for the concrete on that portion of the replacement if this becomes excluded with MoDOT. Jim replied yes.
Work in progress
Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023
Policy Regarding Computer, E-Mail, Devices and Social Media given 2/14/2024
Bid for Hallway lights given 2/14/2024
Telephone Contracts 3/11/2024

Monday, February 3, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Public Administrator Brenda Doody discussed her recent car shopping experience, focusing on a 2022 Ford Explorer with 43,000 miles from Greg Smith Ford Lincoln in Clinton. The vehicle, priced at $35,486, includes a new windshield plus $4,145 for an extended four-year/120,000-mile warranty, bringing the total to $39,631. Ethan Row with Ethan’s auto in Adrian and Steven Doody, Brenda’s husband, inspected the vehicle, confirming its good condition. She had set her budget for a vehicle at 40,000.00.

Trent made the motion to purchase the 2022 Ford Explorer from Greg Smith Ford Lincoln in Clinton. John Seconded the motion. Jim included further discussion to call the dealer and “jew them down”.
All vote yes. No opposition. Motion carried.

Jim placed a phone call and talked them down $631 making the new total of $39,000.00

Assistant Surveyor Daniel Stewart came in to discuss converting the private drives in the Rattlesnake Hill Subdivision to county roads. Daniel has identified the easements and owners that will be affected. He will need to draw up the changes into a presentable format. After consulting over title questions, it was decided that a “blanket easement” would be the best solution. All affected owners and possibly lenders would need to sign and pay for their portion of the easement. This will be presented to the owners at a meeting once the information is ready. This is still a work in progress. More information is needed on this legal matter. Once this is completed the roads will need to be brought up to MoDOT specifications. The work and cost of this would be up to the Township. Then the new county roads would be submitted to MoDOT for acceptance into the CART program for maintenance funds.

The Commission had the County Assessor Carl Bettels, Collector / Treasurer Jimmy Platt and County Clerk Jami Page come in to talk about the implementation of the Senior Tax Credit. The Assessor is lacking in the workflow and implementation of the credit. Carl states the system allows for the separation of the house from the rest of the property. He is not sure how the system will know who is approved or how it will freeze the valuation of the property. Jimmy Platt stated that Carl needs to call the programmer of the system to get what he needs programmed into the system. Carl stated that his past conversations with the programmer have not gone so well. Jimmy offered to assist Carl with this phone call. Jami asked about the system already showing the 2025 valuations. It looks like there is a 14% increase. Carl confirmed that the state asked for 15% and he told them no he would do 14% across the board. The application flow is as follows:
• Clerk Office to compile
• Assessor to verify parcel number and house is owned by the applicant
• Clerk office for updating
• Collector to verify no delinquent taxes are due on the said property
• Clerk office for updating
• Commission for final approval or denial
• Clerk office for updating and owner letters


Wednesday, February 5, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present. Approved Bills.

John worked on the Senior Tax Credit process. To show the flow from each office to the next. A flow chart with responsibility for each office. Added to the flow from last week was after Commission approval to go back to the Assessor office to mark it approved in the computer system.

The Commission discussed having a meeting with Lone Oak Township Board to discuss the Rattlesnake hill area changes.
The West Boone Township did not certify the upcoming election with the county clerk. Currently there is no West Boone Township Board. The Commission will have to appoint the Board Members.
John made the motion to appoint the following to the West Boone Township Board for a 2-year term.
• Dave Lemke - Trustee
• John Dean - Clerk
• Board Members
• Mike Sanders
• Austin Bray
Trent seconded the motion. All voted yes. Motion Carried. No opposition.

Cameron Black and Connor Sechler with Ollis/Akers/Arney an Insurance & Business Advisors Company came in for their scheduled meeting. They presented the different Health benefit options their company provides. They have worked with several counties and are a sponsor of the Missouri Association of Counties. Jim explained our current local broker and the work he provides to the County. The County covers the health benefits of the employees. They must make sure that everything they budget is sustainable for 5 years ahead. Jim explained they put out a Request for Qualification for an insurance broker every few years. We will add them to the list for the next request. Cameron stated they will check in again in a few months or so as well.

The paperwork for Brenda Doody’s vehicle was received, signed and returned.

Work in progress
Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023
Policy Regarding Computer, E-Mail, Devices and Social Media given 2/14/2024
Bid for Hallway lights given 2/14/2024
Telephone Contracts 3/11/2024

Eddleman promoted to Lieutenant

Congratulations are in order for Christine Eddleman who has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Lt. Eddleman has 25 years of law enforcement experience, and has served in numerous roles in the sheriff's office.

Prior to working for the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Eddleman worked at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

Eddleman's law enforcement experience includes work in the jail, patrol, D.A.R.E. instruction and school resource officer (SRO).
She played a key role in developing and establishing the positions of corporal and sergeant within the SRO unit. She has also served on the CCSO Peer Support Team and as a hostage negotiator team leader. Eddleman has been a Mentor/Trainer for Missouri D.A.R.E. Training Team since 2018.

Eddleman was elected as the Missouri DARE Officers Association State President in 2020-2021 and 2023-2024.

In 2024, Eddleman earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Missouri D.A.R.E. Officers Association.

Lt. Eddleman will take the position of Patrol Division Commander.

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Rich Hill police nab counterfeiter

Last week, the Rich Hill Police Department received notification of counterfeit money being used at local establishments and further investigation revealed Chadrick Looney of Rich Hill paid local residents for their property using the same. 

Some of the victims were elderly and this post is to notify the community that if you have recently had a transaction with him, please check your money and notify the police department if you believe you are in possession of counterfeit notes. 

Looney was arrested this past weekend on the following charges:

Felony - Two counts of Financial Exploitation Of An Elderly/Disabled Person

Bond is set at $10,000, with 10% cash only. Chadrick Looney is considered innocent until proven guilty.

We want to thank Bates County Sheriff's Deputies and Bates County Dispatchers for their assistance in the apprehension of the subject.

-Courtesy Rich Hill Police Department

Obituary - Stephen "Tank" McGuire

Stephen McGuire, 42 of LaCygne, Kansas passed away unexpectedly January 16, 2025 at his home in LaCygne. Cremation with private family services to be held. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home (660-679-0009). Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Stephen John McGuire, also known as Tank, was born March 14, 1982 in Kansas City, Kansas to Carla Fewin and Stephen McGuire. He came into this world with a smile on his face.

Tank had the biggest heart and was always doing for others without hesitation. He was always so caring and a listening ear for whoever may have needed it. Tank didn’t always have the best strategies or ways of going about things, but he always had the best intent in mind and heart. His profound ways of thinking were unmatched, his mind worked in ways beyond articulation.

Tank was many things, but above all else he was a rock for his family. He had the ability to help them through the hard times and was able to ensure they saw the value in good. To see someone in such pain create light in the darkness has instilled a light of hope in all of his family.

Tank had a sense of humor that was second to none, and always persistent to make those around him smile and laugh. He always loved telling stories about his childhood. Tank’s favorite things in life were camping, fishing, and shooting guns.

Tank was an amazing son, father, brother, grandpa, uncle, and friend who impacted the lives of many. He will be missed dearly and live in our hearts forever.

Tank was preceded in death by his wife Crissy Newcome, his grandparents Clifford and Martha Fewin, and his cousin Clifford Herrmann. He leaves behind so many people he loved dearly, but most of all his children, Stevie, Paige, and Christopher, his son-in-law Brian, and daughter-in-law Taylor, grandchildren, Bentley, Zoe, and Nevaeh. He is also survived by his mother Carla and step-father Mark, his father Steve, sisters, Heather and Jennifer, sister-in-law Amanda, and his niece and nephews, Alexis, Dallas, Avery, and AJ.

Valentine Skies

 

What’s Up by LeRoy Cook

 The radials return

It’s still winter. Flights to the northern states last weekend battled blizzards, and ice accumulation while flying in cloud was a danger at 3000 feet hereabouts. I had a bout with carburetor icing on Saturday, under a left-over cloud layer at 2500 feet; engine backfire from an excessively-rich mixture was the clue, quickly remedied with a shot of carb heat.

Traffic for the week included a fast Aerostar twin, executing a circle-to-land maneuver out of the VOR-A approach, along with a Cessna Skyhawk and a Piper Archer. Tim Hill brought his Cessna Skylane over from Drexel and I ferried Josh Poe’s 1960 Cessna 172A. Locally, Danny Ferguson had the family Cessna 182 up, Carter Coffman flew a Cessna 150, a Piper TriPacer was rolled out and Jon Laughlin’s Piper Cherokee departed.

Meanwhile, Flight Instructor Delaney Rindal continued teaching at Butler in her Cessna 150, despite weather delays. Her company, SKY4 Aviation, LLC, now has a web presence, accessed at www.flysky4.com. Check it out.

Newswise, at press time a Cessna Caravan turboprop was involved in a fatal crash on the sea ice 34 miles out of Nome, Alaska, going down last Friday with 10 aboard. That is the maximum load allowed by FAA regulations for a single-engine aircraft, limited to 9 passenger seats plus crew. In other countries, as many as 14 are crowded into a Caravan. 

Two occupants of a burning Cirrus SR22 escaped after it came down under its CAPS whole-plane parachute last week, aided by a California highway-patrol trooper who happened to be working a traffic stop nearby. Other details were sketchy until the NTSB completes its investigation. 

The back-and-forth about the use of GAMI’s G100UL unleaded 100-octane aviation fuel continues, particularly in California, which is always on the self-appointed cutting edge of environmental concern. Now a Cirrus airplane owner out there has convinced the Chinese-owned Cirrus factory that G100UL has weakened his plane’s composite structure. So, despite demands by the State that only no-lead avgas is to be sold, Cirrus says not to use it. Fuel developer GAMI insists that 15 years of testing has shown no damage to fiberglass or carbon fiber, and company president George Braly flies a Cirrus SR22 himself. 

It was a good week of announcements for airplanes powered by Wright R3350 radial engines. Both of the two flying Boeing B-29 WW-II bombers will be at the Oshkosh airshow next July, a rare conjunction of Wichita-based “Doc” and “Fifi” from Texas. And the only giant Martin Mars flying boat is the process of being ferried from Canada to its final resting place at the Pima Air Museum in Arizona, powered by four R3350s. 

Last week’s question was about the oldest airport in the U.S. That would be the field at College Park, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., where the Wright Brothers demonstrated their craft to the Army in 1909. For next week, what was the biggest piston aircraft engine ever used in production planes? You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com.

The Museum Minute: Coal is plentiful

 

Courtesy of the Bates County Museum 802 Elks Drive, Butler Mo 64730 (660) 679-0134

Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of February 12

1857 The Bates Co Court orders the old courthouse, at Papinville, be sold and a new courthouse be built in Butler.

1876 The Bates Co Record newspaper prints "Coal is so shallow in southwestern Bates County that it is struck digging a pond or well, or even a drainage ditch".

1927 Otto Frank of Rich Hill, is arrested after an investigation of his restaurant reveals several quarts of corn whiskey, wine and considerable home brew.

1954 Teachers and students of the Passaic school watch it burn to the ground after safely escaping. (McBee's location)

1976 The West Point township board members vote to build a community building. The property is purchased from Jack & Opal Armentrout for $2,000.

1993 news-Xpress contributor Nadine Meade writes that all homes in Ballard are occupied and the population is now 18.

1996 The Senior Center in Butler extends its services to Adrian, with 25 using the center. The Adrian Bank and SW Bell Telephone have supported the project. Also, State Rep. Jason Klumb presents a Missouri flag to the center in a special ceremony.

1998 Brad Vermaas, Butler grocer, is named president of the Bates Co Historical Society. He is also a member of the local Civil War re-enactors group.