07/13/2025
https://dailyjournalonline.com/2025/07/12/commission-begins-third-quarter/
The St. Francois County Commission held its first meeting of the year’s third quarter on Monday, with an agenda that covered a wide array of topics.
MU Extension report
After passage of the consent agenda, the quarterly report from the MU Extension was heard. Janet Braun, 4-H Youth Specialist, identified and reviewed activities and projects pursued by 4-H. The first was the collection of over 2,000 pounds of food as part of the 4-H Feeding Missouri campaign. The project included 70 hours of volunteer work on food and meals by 4-H members.
Braun went on to describe the Girl Powered STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)project meetings, digital art meetings, Little Learners, a Pre-k eating from the garden program, where preschoolers learned about fruit and vegetables, seeds, parts of plants, and getting their hands in the dirt planting an indoor garden. Members of the Extension service helped build garden beds and taught a 6-lesson garden series at the SEMO Family Violence Center and the Prospects Show, which allows the youth to practice with their livestock in a realistic setting prior to the county fair.
Kendra Graham, Extension & Engagement Specialist, specifically outlined the 100 Miles in 100 Days program, sponsored by the MU Extension Service, to promote physical activity in the summer. A St. Francois County Walk will be held July 21 at Owl Creek, beginning at 8 a.m. The walk, which will be on the 1.8-mile trail, will be led by a horticulture specialist from the Extension Service, who will talk about the native plants found along the way. She encourages those interested to join them, get active, and explore Owl Creek, the new county park.
Graham also indicated that the recent federal budget bill signed into law will effectively end all Extension Service nutrition education programs funded through SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, on August 31. The bill eliminated the $800 million spent nationwide on these nutrition-related programs. Graham indicated, “This is not just Missouri. It is not just this county, it is nationwide. We are looking into other ways of funding, but money doesn’t grow on trees.” Nutrition specialists in counties across the state will lose their jobs as a result of this recent action.
Audit report
County auditor, Louie Seiberlich, informed the Commission that the audit of the county’s finances for 2024 was complete and was now in their possession. The audit was conducted by Mueller, Oberfell and Jones, Certified Public Accountants from Arnold. Seiberlich informed the Commission, “There are two critical times of the calendar year in the auditor’s office. One is the preparation of the future yearly budget, which begins right after this meeting. The other is the presentation of an independent audit from the previous year.” The independent audit allows outside sources to go over the books to make sure that correct procedures are followed and monies are properly dispersed. Seiberlich commended the workers in the auditor’s office, whose work served to “protect the integrity of the county and the current $54 million budget.”
Audit Manager Amber Menjoulet reviewed specific details of the audit with the Commission and informed them that for the sixth consecutive year, the audit confirmed the financial integrity of the county with no findings. No findings indicate all finances were found to be in proper order, with no recommendations for improvement or corrections. It was noted that the county spent approximately $180,000 in 2024.
Grant Application
Permission was sought to apply for a $1,113,008 grant for the Flat River Sidewalk project – phase 1 through the Community Infrastructure Fund Program and Federal Delta Regional Authority. The county agreed to match that grant figure with $200,000 of county funds. It was explained that offering to match the grant with $200,000 of county funding would enhance the chances of receiving the grant. When County Auditor Louie Seiberlich questioned from which fund the match would come, he was told the Road and Bridge budget. Judging from his reaction, this was news to Road and Bridge Superintendent Jason Harris.
Commissioner Kary Buckley outlined the preparation the county undertakes to apply for not just this grant, but numerous grants for this project. The total cost of the Flat River Sidewalk Project is in the $3 million range, which would build a 4.6-mile, ADA-compliant sidewalk with curbing, when completed, extending along Old Flat River Road from Columbia Park in Park Hills to Wallace Street in Farmington. The concrete sidewalk will be on the east side of Flat River Road. Grant applications are due July 11, and it will take several months before results are known.
A resolution confirming that the County Commission’s support of the application for the Flat River Trail Project was approved.
Sales tax reports
Sales tax receipts showed a slight increase and are currently about $4,000 ahead of totals at this time last year or a .05% increase. Sales tax comes from transactions in county businesses and is the main source of revenue for county operations.
Prop P receipts, sales tax gathered from online purchases, continue to run ahead of last year’s totals by $139,217.28 or a 9.57% increase. All Prop P funds go to assist in funding for the Sheriff’s department.
Elimination of vacant positions
The county currently has 17 vacant positions with a budgeted total of over $890,000 in funding. Presiding Commissioner Harold Gallaher proposed eliminating the vacant positions and absorbing the funding into the general fund. If new positions were needed, the head of those departments would be required to show a need for additional positions.
Several objections were heard, among them county prosecutor Blake Dudley, who stated that one of the vacant positions in his office had only been open a short time and was in the process of being filled. Gallaher, after hearing several comments, suggested tabling the action, pending further discussion. The issue was tabled.
Bids and Actions
A bid for flooring of the Commission room and offices for $12,202 from Rob’s Glass Company was approved, as was a bid for $10,785.38 from the same company for new coolers and hallway doors at the county morgue.
The Commission also approved the Vantage earthquake insurance policy for all county properties for $23,900.00.
The county has received a $217,000 grant for a solar array at the Weber Road Facility. The grant is non-matching from the MoDNR Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. Installation of the array will allow the removal of the 5 “vent boxes” on the roof, to replace shingles, and make roof improvements.
Sheriff’s report
Sheriff Jeff Crites reported a busy 4th of July weekend, averaging over 3 calls an hour. The total number of calls the department has received this year to date is 10,596. Jail population stands at 129, with 110 males and 19 females. He mentioned that a major fundraiser for SHOP WITH A COP will be held this Friday, July 11, at Crown Point golf course, beginning at 1 p.m.
Road and Bridge
Superintendent Jason Harris stated prepping roads for overlay, culvert replacement, and mowing was ongoing.
Next meeting
The St. Francois County Commission will next meet, Tuesday, July 15, at 10 a.m., on the third floor of the Courthouse Annex, in the Commission meeting room. Meetings are open to the public.
Commission begins third quarter By Dan Schunks | July 12, 2025 | 0 The St. Francois County Commission held its first meeting of the year’s third quarter on Monday, with an agenda that covered a wide array of topics. MU Extension report After passage of the consent agenda, the quarterly report from...
