[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6382743,"mediaKeyId","2126355-a6d0bdf1baac9f97f048162fc80ea8e6","parentId",2126355,"title","Commission approves elevator monitoring and jail pharmaceutical contract renewals; consent agenda passes; board moves to closed session","audioSeconds",2076,"startMs",2137000,"endMs",4213000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126355-a6d0bdf1baac9f97f048162fc80ea8e6&start=2137&end=4213","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126355-a6d0bdf1baac9f97f048162fc80ea8e6/thumbnail_2137000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6382743/Christian-County/Missouri/Commission-approves-elevator-monitoring-and-jail-pharmaceutical-contract-renewals-consent-agenda-passes-board-moves-to-closed-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382743-5dff9969bf024d1cfc7001caedeba7de/orig.mp4?Expires=1775469497&Signature=R6-ToqmZKYh-2hsirIykLMosFUpF0QKejAJx8huC-T5TAuGv8QMXNZFCT6brcDJChOAOu~Dpvf92x~T2xD2XWP8eQk3Zoi~9X9lSSO-Sb8Qb7gcl3cwKpZc2oeAMMUAWiU2fiXjSS5F9udo3g~IrtXwswLkjwuvEgQ6OAWkdL4sP~aoDyAgV66HTPlMzTO~8NLGi9nvQRRhTFz1XM5dNQ-HPFQuhMsPpDnXTyXd33rfSqVhNTfEyBu846HpXxRVbcN~sye9z7AXLD3mOEgytFquSDh3dOKQgzznlALPTuliNsZZMnzaIeC9661Cbde1Zbd6kv5e43XQWC~hWtYRmXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Christian County, MO","date","2025-01-17T04:14:58Z","article","The Christian County Commission on Thursday approved a set of consent items, renewed two vendor contracts and voted to enter closed session to discuss litigation and personnel matters.

Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris asked for approval of a consent agenda that bundled multiple sets of meeting minutes and a certified court order related to sales tax disbursement; the motion to approve the consent agenda was made and seconded and passed with commissioners agreeing to record absences and an abstention for minutes the absent commissioner could not verify.

The commission then approved a first-year renewal of an elevator preventive-maintenance and wireless monitoring contract with Kone after purchasing staff reported Kone resolved recurring wireless emergency-phone failures that had caused intermittent entrapment-phone outages under the previous vendor. Purchasing manager Kim said Kone's equipment had been used in other local institutions and that, since installation, the county has seen no further phone failures. Commissioners voted to renew the contract.

The commission also approved a one-year renewal of a detention-center inmate medical and pharmaceutical services contract with Turnkey Health. The purchasing presentation said Turnkey requested a 3.7% increase tied to the medical-care component of the CPI; county staff recommended renewal. Captain Craig and Lieutenant Russo (Christian County Sheriff's Office) reported they were satisfied with service. The transcript did not specify a named mover or seconder for those motions; commissioners voted to approve both renewals.

Finally, the commission voted to move into closed session pursuant to RSMo 610.021.01 and RSMo 610.021.03 to discuss litigation and personnel. A roll-call vote was taken; the minutes record the three commissioners as voting in favor (Johnny Williams, Bradley Jackson and Lynn Morris).

Votes at a glance:

- Consent agenda: motion to approve consent agenda as presented (includes multiple meeting minutes and certified court order). Mover: not specified in transcript; second: not specified; outcome: approved; abstention noted on January 9 minutes by the commissioner who was absent and could not verify that meeting.

- Elevator preventive-maintenance/monitoring contract renewal (Kone): motion to approve renewal; mover: not specified; second: not specified; outcome: approved. Rationale: Kone identified and corrected wireless monitoring/entrapment-phone failures and county reports compliance after installation.

- Detention center inmate medical and pharmaceutical services contract renewal (Turnkey Health): motion to approve one-year renewal, Turnkey requested a 3.7% CPI-based increase; mover: not specified; second: not specified; outcome: approved. Turnkey is based in Oklahoma City per the purchasing presentation; Captain Craig and Lieutenant Russo indicated satisfaction with service.

- Motion to move into closed session pursuant to RSMo 610.021.01 and RSMo 610.021.03 (litigation and personnel): mover: not specified; second: not specified; outcome: approved by roll call (Johnny Williams: yes; Bradley Jackson: yes; Lynn Morris: yes).

Commissioners concluded that procurement renewals addressed operational needs (elevator safety systems, continuity of inmate medical services) and proceeded to closed session for personnel and litigation matters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Christian County Commission - 2025-01-16","oneSentenceSummary","Christian County commissioners approved two contract renewals (elevator monitoring/maintenance and inmate pharmaceutical services), approved the consent agenda, and voted to meet in closed session on litigation and personnel under RSMo 610.021.01 and .03.","taxTitle","Christian County, Missouri","taxId",52859,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6382747,"Christian County commissioners open discussion on proposed use tax; work study with community group set for Friday",1379,2212000,3591000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126355-a6d0bdf1baac9f97f048162fc80ea8e6&start=2212&end=3591","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126355-a6d0bdf1baac9f97f048162fc80ea8e6/thumbnail_2212000.jpg","/articles/6382747/Christian-County/Missouri/Christian-County-commissioners-open-discussion-on-proposed-use-tax-work-study-with-community-group-set-for-Friday","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382747-a0d56d4e85183a05098bde64bf19dc9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775469497&Signature=TQpEDOWotK8csC78ETPOX7Y6Y2Njv-NAEJgVwKvjjKJu~H3YcIJMUXmXqT1GoVqJbjj4u0eswQkLZrNsT9l9y9-g9IBi7Y~bWtGsurPKdrSLbib99VFLdmgO2Phv5areIj0Pv2wTvRn8uRdd0YVjTT2yFJHHhpucqxkJqPky6FRorB~29nBOQKNjbtQ1T6RcdNKAYVC50xWIBNgm3O4trFRVxm-~7oHE~cC6SeokzPgzAzvyNDXmO6AD-WY7xZX1UZVgmcWfAr4Ch4ONIpMzsyLViAV5QYfsgP19rRM~TcZE-hpIGdlWrTjadIcfmI6sM9y8iEaoVeNLocWE2C-NPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Christian County commissioners opened a broad discussion Thursday about placing a county use tax on an upcoming ballot and scheduled a work-study meeting with Show Me Christian County to gather information and community feedback.

Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris said the county must act quickly if it wants the tax on an April ballot: \"We have a deadline of January 28th, 4:30, 5 o'clock in the evening to have our ballot language to the clerk's office,\" she said. Morris said staffer Austin has prepared draft ballot language that will be circulated to the commissioners.

The discussion matters because a use tax would shift some taxable purchases made out-of-state or online to the county's sales tax base, potentially restoring revenue lost to e-commerce. Commissioners debated timing, costs and messaging: Eastern Commissioner Bradley Jackson warned that the county is behind schedule for an April ballot and that a special election (for example an August special election) would impose significant costs on the county; Jackson estimated a special election can be expensive and urged confirmation about whether state revenue currently being collected would automatically be released to counties that adopt the tax.

Commissioners and staff noted practical constraints: state filing deadlines for ballot language, the county's inability to use public funds to advocate for a ballot measure, the expense of a special, county-wide election (commission discussion referenced a recent special election cost in the low tens of thousands for a single city), and the need for substantial public education. Commissioner Jackson said he was uncertain whether the Department of Revenue is already holding tax receipts that would be released if the county adopted a use tax'a claim he said had been mentioned elsewhere but that he could not confirm.

Show Me Christian County will lead a work-study session the day after the meeting to present information and recommendations. Morris asked staff to post the meeting notice in time for commissioners to attend; commissioners emphasized the session would be a work study with no formal votes.

The commission agreed that, if the county did pursue a ballot measure, it would need a volunteer task force, clear, non-misleading language, and cooperation with chambers of commerce and local businesses to support voter education and possible fundraising for outreach (county funds cannot be used to advocate for a ballot question). Commissioners noted that other nearby municipalities had put use taxes before voters recently and that the City of Ozark has tried and failed three times, underscoring the importance of good outreach and accurate messaging.

Morris said she would attend a Missouri Association of Counties meeting to survey what other counties have done. Commissioners concluded the meeting by asking staff and outside presenters to compile detailed cost estimates, confirmed deadlines, and model ballot language for consideration at an upcoming meeting.","Commissioners discussed whether to place a county use tax on a near-term ballot, scheduling a work-study with community group Show Me Christian County to gather information; commissioners raised concerns about timeline, election cost and voter education.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6382752,"County attorney says opioid litigation continues; $315,151 in restricted settlement funds available for programs",1618,337000,1955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126355-a6d0bdf1baac9f97f048162fc80ea8e6&start=337&end=1955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126355-a6d0bdf1baac9f97f048162fc80ea8e6/thumbnail_337000.jpg","/articles/6382752/Christian-County/Missouri/County-attorney-says-opioid-litigation-continues-315151-in-restricted-settlement-funds-available-for-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382752-c8e88d4a0fc59387cc5ab99c25c5ed8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775469497&Signature=G13tH33q2rh5A4eHTvyyVUtaFHvnZ73geGF~dJmr~VzNTxeNdVgSkEowEY8aGpgB5eXfqNYAVaAVNJc2CLNBGN~aJ2YCyJcEOxjwEFqblDih7SBeLnUc55wmMOm13CtKhfZyQ3~Uvk~NR9O03ABJw85QcRs6V9tJjRULsacWd85RpzLV8Riz6NLuabPj744H05LzlQVoZYdU03JQDFWUahXH48a9BbcmSpL6ccNuqS5X2RTJRZEZigSHfPaFhpZ~qIPdTcGKyqk~864tFdqmAF1lrg1pgMuOGnQQf8Dj68fOZBt7NVB1d7zuXuUI2h9ynmMBGTK-2gEkTp-lcFxong__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Christian County Commission heard an update Thursday from the county's opioid settlement attorney, Jack Garvey, who said litigation is ongoing and that the county has received settlement proceeds that are mostly restricted for opioid-related programming.

Garvey told the commission the litigation remains active against Purdue Pharma and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) such as Optum and Express Scripts, and that additional settlement tranches are possible. He said the county's restricted opioid fund currently holds $315,151.71 and the county has $33,000 in an unrestricted account.

The update matters because most settlement dollars carry spending restrictions that limit the ways counties can use the money. Garvey said many settlements allow only 85% of funds to be spent on opioid programming (some newer settlements have 95% opioid-only restrictions), and that a three-member settlement committee set up by the court will monitor compliance through an annual self-reporting questionnaire.

Garvey described the remaining defendants and sources of potential further funds. \"This litigation is not over yet,\" he said. He identified Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family as the long-running locus of the litigation and said a renewed bankruptcy-related settlement announcement may be coming. He also said discovery exposed commercial arrangements between Purdue and PBMs that plaintiffs allege increased opioid distribution and that PBMs remain vigorously defended in the litigation.

On allowable uses and local planning, Garvey described examples other counties have adopted: funding public education (billboards, pamphlets, school programming), buying ambulances in some states, underwriting medically assisted treatment, and contracting addiction-treatment specialists to work at jail intake. \"You station them in your intake in your jail, they do the interview and then that person will set up a program for them, if they are released on bond,\" Garvey said.

The attorney explained the monitoring mechanism: each settlement produces a short annual questionnaire asking whether funds were spent on non-opioid programming and, if so, the dollar amount. If non-opioid spending exceeds the permitted percentage, the settlement committee can flag the county and reduce future distributions. He called the process a self-reporting system rather than an active auditing regime.

Commissioners raised operational questions: whether counties may pool funds regionally (Garvey said pooling with neighboring counties is allowed), whether interest earned on invested settlement proceeds counts as restricted (Garvey said interest could plausibly be used for non-opioid spending while principal remains subject to the restriction), and how soon the county must report spending (the commission's first report was noted as due January 31).

Local officials said they plan to convene stakeholders this year'including the sheriff, judge and prosecuting attorney'to develop program proposals. Garvey recommended coordinating with existing drug court programs and suggested the Missouri Drug Court Treatment Court Conference in Branson (third week of March) as a venue for further information and networking.

Commission discussion closed with a request that Garvey and county staff provide the settlement-use guidance materials he referenced, and that commissioners take ideas from neighboring counties into account when planning local programs.","Christian County's opioid settlement attorney updated commissioners on ongoing litigation against Purdue and pharmacy benefit managers, explained restrictions on settlement dollars and outlined allowable uses including treatment, jail intake specialists and education.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves elevator monitoring and jail pharmaceutical contract renewals; consent agenda passes; board moves to closed session

Christian County commissioners open discussion on proposed use tax; work study with community group set for Friday

County attorney says opioid litigation continues; $315,151 in restricted settlement funds available for programs