Record: 10-17
COMMISSION MINUTES
The Nodaway County Commission met in regular session Tuesday, Oct. 7.
In attendance were Presiding Commissioner Bill Walker, North District Commissioner Chris Burns, South District Commissioner Scott Walk and Melinda Patton, county clerk.
Business before the governing board included:
• Requisitions and approvals: Liquor License for Sunday by the Drink for Maryville Pub, LLC; Invoices to Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys for dues; County Clerk Fee Report (September 2025). Public Administrator to SEM Applications, Inc. for software upgrades.
• The commission reviewed the following information: Northwest Newsflash Newsletter
• Reviewed a request from Jody Vogel, Insite, Inc. for information on required permits for planned maintenance on an existing T-mobile site. A letter to was drafted and signed.
• Reviewed and signed county contribution election form for 2026. The commission elected to keep the current election (4% compensation on behalf of employees hired on or after February 25, 2002) in effect for 2026.
• Elevator inspections have been scheduled for the courthouse and Administration Center for November 6, 2025. A message was left at Jason Brown Roofing regarding the Administration Center roof.
• Met with John Hickman, HIC, regarding the insurance coverage they offer. A conference call was held with Alan Fay, Higginbotham Insurance to review proposed renewal information.
• Judge Robert Rice stopped in to present the commission with a request from the Northwest Missouri Cooperative Mental Health Board of Trustees for funds from the Opioid Settlement Fund from the 2026 budget. Rice has requested $10,000 for operating expenses and another $10,000 to co-sponsor a speaker for Spring 2026.
• An Atchison Township concerned citizen reported a road concern at 105th and Highway JJ from the fiber optics work.
• Spoke with Christina Lund, Mosaic Life Care Foundation Director, regarding more information on an upcoming meeting they are hosting. A Regional Hospice House Community Discussion will be held on Thursday, October 30th at both 7:30 in Savannah and 11:30 in St. Joseph.
• Public Administrator Lori Burns met with the commission to review an update to the software system the public administration association uses. Burns reviewed the cost to go to a web-based system that allows for unlimited users, no cost to switch, training, no annual agreement. The cost annually will be around $4,000, but final price will fluctuate each month as the cost is $6/month per open case. Burns requested to upgrade immediately utilizing unused funds in her budget. The commission agreed. Commissioner Burns was not present.
• The commission inspected Roads #56, #61, #63 and #57 all in Atchison Township where IAMO knifed fiber into the roadway. Contact was made with the Eric Jones, road maintenance operator for the Township to discuss next steps for road work.
The Nodaway County Commission did not meet on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
In attendance were Presiding Commissioner Bill Walker, North District Commissioner Chris Burns, South District Commissioner Scott Walk and Melinda Patton, county clerk.
Business before the governing board included:
• Requisitions and approvals: Sheriff to Plumb this Plumbing for jail maintenance; to Missouri Sheriff’s Association for training.
• The commission reviewed the following information: Sheriff’s Inmate Report. Road and Bridge Fuel/Equipment Report
• The commission hosted the quarterly meeting for office holders with the following in attendance: Burns, Walker, Walk, Lori Burns, Sally Duff, Lisa James, Austin Hann, Jeff Hall and Patton. The next quarterly meeting will be January 8, 2026. Also in attendance: Gavin McGough, news director at KXCV-KRNW.
Hann gave updates on staffing. The department has hired a deputy which puts the department at fully staffed. Hann has been working with area schools on Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) for School Resource Officers. The new vehicle should be available to be picked up this week. Hann also ran through inmate numbers.
L. Burns reported that she has been working with Attorney Taryn Henry to close out deceased cases. She is also working to upgrade the SEM Applications, Inc. software to a web-based system.
James stated the recorder’s office has completed back filing and is just working on miscellaneous items missed. James plans to get quotes for scanners for her office.
Hall shared that an autopsy performed may be reimbursed by the state. Third quarter number: Death Investigations: 11, Nursing Home Deaths: 7; Hospice Deaths: 15; Cremation Permits: 6; Autopsies: 2.
Duff has been working with the software company (Devnet) on incorporating the Senior Tax Freeze on the county tax statements.
Patton stated that her office has done address corrections for the Canvassing process. All municipalities, schools, etc. have turned in their levy rates for the tax bills and these have been entered. The Clerk’s office is preparing for the April 2026 Municipal Election. Budget worksheets will be sent out to all office holders and those responsible for budget requests next week with a requested return date on or before November 14. Anyone wishing to meet with the commissioners will be scheduled for mid-December.
Commission shared that they have begun the process of researching health insurance options. The deck has been poured on the third softmatch bridge. The county has traded Softmatch with a few other counties. Tuck-pointing work at the courthouse continues with a potential completion date next week. Employee Appreciation lunch has been scheduled for December 11. Salary Commission meeting has been set for October 30 at 8:30.
• Spoke with Ben South at Andrew Tuck-Pointing regarding a rail at the courthouse and got a status update. Fire Inspections were set up with Johnson Control Systems for the Administration Center and the jail.
• Spoke with Marvin Walters, Higginbotham Insurance, regarding surveys sent. These surveys will be completed and returned by Monday. Conducted a TEAMS meeting with Alan Fay and Galen Floyd on insurance programs available.
• Richard Stringer, Union Township trustee, stopped in to discuss tree removal along Road #120. Called a landowner regarding tree removal for a road project. Placed a follow up call to Stringer.
• The commission inspected Roads #120 and #281 in Union Township and Road #379 in Polk Township.
• Commissioner Burns, along with Brian Engle, road and bridge supervisor, inspected Road #205 in Polk Township. A call was returned to North Nodaway Superintendent Chris Turpin regarding a maintenance issue question. A call was made to Mark Wilson, Polk Township Road Supervisor. A call was made to IAMO regarding the fiber project.