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Commissioners from 20-county region meet here
Nevada Daily Mail
"It happens just once every five years and it's an opportunity to showcase Vernon County," noted Joe Hardin, presiding county commissioner.
Thursday morning saw 29 commissioners from 14 counties gather at the 3M Clubhouse in Nevada. "Missouri has six regional associations of county commissioners and there are 20 counties in the west central region. We meet four times a year, taking turns to host," stated northern commissioner Neil Gerstner.
"The folks from Callaway County had a hike, but they came," said southern commissioner Everett Wolfe.
What they came to included a 90-minute tour of the 3M plant, business meeting and lunch.
"Just as it is with every one of these meetings, ours did not cost the taxpayers one dime," stressed Hardin.
Some 17 vendors, ranging from engineering firms, dealers of heavy equipment, insurance and vehicles to computer software and those selling asphalt, rock and culverts contributed money or door prizes with some on-hand with displays and giveaways.
Each county present gives a small presentation on current projects. "In ours," said Gerster, "we told them about the $1.21 million in federal grants we obtained for the three bridges now under construction in our county."
"We also just got notice," added Hardin, "that our 2017 grant from Solid Waste District M will go from $27,000 to $29,000. This helps offset the cost of wages and benefits for our recycling program."
Currently, the only recyclable that earns the county money comes from selling cardboard. Annually, the program gathers 190 tons of cardboard and a total of 400 tons of recyclable material. Said Hardin, "This is not a money making or even a self-supporting operation. Mostly it's about diversion from the waste stream and providing a service to businesses and residents in our county."
During the business meeting, a representative from the office of Sen. Blunt made a presentation and answered questions about legislation and grant programs.
"Beyond roads, bridges and tax receipts there are two bills in the Missouri legislature that a lot of us are interested in," said Wolfe.
The first bill has to do with the per diem reimbursement provided by the department of corrections to counties.
Tom Wright, commissioner from Miller county and chair of the west central region explained, "At present, the state reimburses a county for the cost of a prisoner only if found guilty, otherwise we get nothing."
"And even then," added commissioner Doc Kritzer of Calloway County, "we have to wait up to three months for those funds."
A bill that would provide reimbursement, no matter the verdict, was introduced into the state legislature. Due to cost, the bill is said to have a poor chance of adoption this term.
"The other matter commissioners are concerned with has to do with the county salary commission. This is the local group that sets salary levels every two years," said Hardin.
Commissioner Jim Marcum of Pettis County explained. "Right now, elected officials can only get a raise if every county employee gets one and such raises are limited to a state set amount that reflects any increase in the cost of living."
One bill in the state legislature would allow such commissions to increase salaries by up to 100 percent. "That's not only a potential budget buster for every county here, it's simply irresponsible," insisted Everett Wolfe. "We can't print money which means we're talking about the hard earned dollars of the folks of Vernon and potentially, every other county."
Also on display for the gathering was the new prisoner transport vehicle recently delivered to the Vernon County sheriff's department. Addressing the group, commissioner Hardin said, "Earlier this year we had an incident that showed our old prisoner transport van was inadequate and thankfully, that very afternoon was when the new one was delivered."
The new $48,000 van has two separate prisoner areas, security cages, special locks, an internal surveillance system, a rearview camera and bumper sensors. Having two separate prisoner areas within the van permits the transport of males and females at the same time and the isolation of special or violent offenders.
Sheriff Jason Mosher added, "This vehicle was purchased without using one cent of taxpayer funds."
The van was obtained with profits from sales to prisoners. Jail inmates are allowed to make purchases of snacks, phone cards and video visitation sessions. Electronic accounts are funded by family and friends of prisoners with the inmates ordering items once per week.
Said Mosher, "Many of those making such purchases are prisoners we're housing from other counties. In just over a year's time we accumulated enough funds to purchase our new prisoner van."
Some commissioners admired the vehicle but even more admired the funding mechanism for its purchase.
As things wound up, Wolfe commented on the meeting. "There's a lot to showcase in our county and we gave everyone a small taste of what makes this area special."
Said Hardin, "Thanks to the vendors who underwrote the cost, the commission's secretary, Jennifer Roberts, along with 3M and our caterer, I think this was a successful meeting. The reason that commissioners value these gatherings is that we can talk things over with folks who are in the same boat and exchange ideas."
"Oh, and one last thing," added Gerster, "when we invited them to come back they gave us an ovation."