Cass County Commission approves prosecutor agreement, equipment purchases and land sale

The Cass County Commission on Sept. 1 voted unanimously to approve a package of resolutions that included a cooperative agreement with the Missouri Department of Social Services for child-support prosecution, purchases of postage and scanning equipment, the surplus and disposal of county vehicles and the sale of a parcel to allow a bridge replacement.

The votes came after brief staff reports and without public comment. Commission members moved through a series of routine items in a meeting that lasted under an hour and concluded with adjournment.

Julie, a prosecutor's office representative, described one of the contracts before the commission: "So this is this is an agreement between the prosecutor's office, Department of Social Services that our office will perform prosecution duties for child support cases." The commission approved that item as Resolution 25-97, listed in the agenda as cooperative agreement contract ER10226021 with the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Matt, Cass County Health Department staff, summarized the health department item as an annual renewal: "This is just our MCH contract and it's just the renewal form. We had to do this every year. It's the same contract. Nothing's changed. The amount's gone up just a smidge, but not much." That item, Resolution 25-99, renews the maternal and child health (MCH) agreement with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The commission also approved Resolution 25-98 for the county clerk's office to acquire new postage equipment. Commissioners were told the purchase was moved forward because tariffs would increase the cost by about 10% if the county waited.

For the recorder of deeds, staff (addressed in the meeting as "Mister Metzger") reported on a competitive procurement for an overhead book scanner: "5 different companies and each 1 did a couple different bids or some of them did. It was the lowest 1." The commission approved Resolution 25-100 to accept the bid and proceed with the purchase.

Travis, a Road and Bridge staff member, briefed the commission on a real-estate sale tied to a bridge replacement: "So this is a sale of a real estate contract with Cofield to finish up the paperwork ... so we can move forward with replacement of that bridge. Once all the paperwork's done with that, we'll get the bridge work and get it in. So probably still within 15, 16 weeks of that being closed." The board approved Resolution 25-102 to authorize the sale and continue toward replacement work.

The commission declared a list of county vehicles and equipment surplus and authorized disposal under Resolution 25-101. Travis listed items identified for surplus as "2 ... Patriots, 3 Chevy pickups, and a John Deere tractor that is well beyond their useful lives." The commission voted to surplus those items.

A tax-sale surplus disbursement also received approval. Mr. Mullenhill, addressing a certificate of purchase, said, "Catherine is a frequent, participant in our tax sale. I sold this lien 30 days ago, but, the taxpayers family did, redeem. So requesting surplus go back to Catherine." The commission approved Certificate of Purchase 25-14 for $24,816.23.

No members of the public spoke during the public comment period. Commissioners approved the meeting agenda and minutes presented and then adjourned.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25-97 — Cass County Prosecuting Attorney's Office: approve county reimbursement cooperative agreement (contract ER10226021) with the Missouri Department of Social Services. Vote: 3-0; outcome: approved.

- Resolution 25-98 — Cass County Clerk's Office: approve purchase/agreement for postage equipment and services (purchase advanced because of expected ~10% tariff-driven price increase). Vote: 3-0; outcome: approved.

- Resolution 25-99 — Cass County Health Department: annual renewal of maternal and child health (MCH) contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Vote: 3-0; outcome: approved.

- Resolution 25-100 — Recorder of Deeds: accept bid and purchase overhead book scanner (lowest responsive bid from among five vendors). Vote: 3-0; outcome: approved.

- Resolution 25-101 — Surplus county equipment and authorize disposal (items listed by staff). Vote: 3-0; outcome: approved.

- Resolution 25-102 — Road and Bridge: approve real-estate sales contract to complete paperwork for Camp Ranch bridge replacement; timeline estimated ~15–16 weeks after closing. Vote: 3-0; outcome: approved.

- Certificate of Purchase 25-14 — Tax sale surplus disbursement: $24,816.23. Vote: 3-0; outcome: approved.

The commission closed the meeting after routine communications and a motion to adjourn.