Christian County reports steady first-quarter operations, cites utility issues that may delay new county clinic

Christian County Commission members were told May 15 that the county’s resource management departments started 2025 with stable staffing and revenues but face specific utility and permitting issues that could increase costs and delay the new county clinic.

In a first-quarter briefing, Todd, Resource Management Director, said the county’s three departments are "on pace to allow for our normal operations throughout the year," and reported that two county-owned Ford F-150 Lightning electric trucks were driven "just over 6,000 miles" in the period, an estimated fuel avoidance of about "320 gallons" of gasoline and roughly $615 in net fuel-cost savings after electric costs.

The presentation focused most heavily on the county campus development project, where significant site work and building finishes are complete but officials warned of a handful of emerging issues. Todd said storm sewer, curb and gutter, sidewalks and amphitheater detention-basin work are finished and that the county still "maintain[s] a goal to have that clinic ready for operation by July. Fingers crossed that nothing major gets in the way." He added that hydroseeding and final flatwork were imminent, weather permitting.

Why it matters: the campus project is funded and staged to avoid borrowing — county officials said they will sell lots and buildings as work proceeds — but the county faces near-term decisions about change orders and utility relocations that could increase costs and affect the clinic timeline.

Key details from the briefing include: Todd said planning and development handled three rezoning requests in 2025 totaling about 11.3 acres, processed 18 administrative minor subdivision applications and replats that created 25 parcels, and is working on two named subdivisions that could add about 18 residential lots. He also reported ongoing commercial projects, including warehouse construction on Highway 60, a gas station on Highway 14 and a small winery near Billings. The recycling center recorded a strong first quarter of cardboard collections.

On the campus project, Todd identified three specific concerns: (1) Liberty (the local electric utility) may not have electrical service ready when needed; (2) the City of Ozark is requiring that the fire-suppression system backflow preventer be relocated outside the building rather than inside, which Todd said will be "a significant chunk of money" and will require a change order; and (3) the existing City of Ozark water main along Highway 14 is at a shallower depth than expected, and recent grade/cut requirements tied to a Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) approval reduced cover over that main, forcing the county to plan utility lowering and excavation work.

Commissioners asked whether the county’s engineers bore responsibility for the depth issue and whether the sequencing of MoDOT comments contributed to the problem. Todd said the water and sewer bid package was issued before site-grading comments were finalized and that MoDOT’s later requirements to lower the grade made the previously acceptable utility depth inadequate.

Commissioner (unnamed in the record) expressed concern about cost overruns, saying the county must "make sure that we're as frugal as we can be" and noting prior cases where engineering firms accepted responsibility for design-related costs. Commissioner Bradley Jackson and Western Commissioner Johnny Williams joined that line of questioning, saying the county should seek accountability where appropriate.

What the county will do next: Todd said he will return to the commission next week with one or more change orders addressing the backflow relocation and the water-main lowering. The commission directed staff to prepare documentation and to pursue clarification with Liberty and the City of Ozark about timing and cost responsibility.

Background and context: county staff said much of the campus work (storm sewer, curb and gutter, trails base rock and building exterior masonry) is complete and that interior finishes — including framing for clinic walls, ductwork and sprinkler piping — are in progress. Todd reiterated the county’s pay-as-you-go approach for the 40-acre campus, saying offices and lots will be developed and sold incrementally rather than financed with bonds.

The discussion also included planning-process items such as the county’s review of urban service area regulations with municipal planning staffs and continuing work on land-use applications in 2025.

Ending: Commissioners said they will follow up with the county engineer, City of Ozark staff and Liberty to clarify responsibilities and to limit taxpayer exposure to added project costs. Todd will present formal change orders and more detailed cost estimates at an upcoming meeting.