St. Francois County commissioners approve budget amendments, authorize aerial imagery contract and multiple grant applications

ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY — The St. Francois County Commission approved a set of budget amendments and several administrative actions during a regular meeting that followed a brief budget hearing.

The commission voted to adopt budget amendments presented at the hearing and to approve several items including permission to enter a multi‑year contract for aerial imagery, authorization to bid a metal roof for the Weber Road facility, creation of a chief deputy public administrator position for 2026, and permission for two county offices to apply for State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) grants.

The meeting began with a roll call and a short budget hearing in which county staff reported the current budget position. A county office representative said the county is "currently at 3% over the recommended budget, with 5 months remaining," and later a speaker summarized year‑to‑date activity as "30% over year to date." The auditor’s office cautioned that unbudgeted capital improvements — for example, buying a building — could skew final results. The commission then approved budget amendments described in the hearing; an amount cited by staff for the adjustments was "over $351,000." Those amendments were approved by voice vote with ayes recorded and no nays called.

Assessor’s office contract: The commission granted permission for the assessor to enter a three‑year contract with EagleView (pictometry) to acquire new aerial imagery. The assessor said the county’s share of the cost would be $46,004.69, to be paid over three years (presented as roughly $15,004.89 per year). The assessor described a cost‑share arrangement with other local entities (911, road and bridge, and municipalities) that will reimburse the county for their portions; the commission authorized the county to pay the contract and seek reimbursement from partners.

GIS staffing discussion followed the assessor’s presentation. Commissioners and staff discussed whether hiring an in‑house GIS specialist (salary estimates cited in the meeting were "around $40,000 to $50,000 per year") could allow the county to perform mapping and charge for work for other local entities, reducing the need for recurring external purchases.

Personnel and facilities: The public administrator asked for permission to create a new title (chief deputy public administrator) at grade 6 for 2026; the office said the change would not increase current year payroll because a current vacancy and existing budgeted positions cover the planned change. The commission approved the request. The commission also authorized bidding to replace two layers of shingles with a metal roof at the Weber Road facility; discussion included removing dormers, disposal of shingles and installing furring strips over OSB sheathing.

Grant applications: The sheriff’s office requested permission to apply for an SHSP regional grant. Discussion in the meeting referenced both $50,000 and $60,000 figures; a motion authorizing the sheriff’s office to apply for SHSP funding was passed with the motion language recorded on the transcript as requesting $60,000 with no local match. Separately, the emergency management director, who identified himself as Nick Jones, requested permission to apply for an SHSP award (the director discussed seeking $50,000) to purchase a drone and two pilot licenses; that request was also approved.

Other business: The commission approved a consent agenda and heard routine departmental reports: the sheriff gave weekly call and inmate statistics and training updates; road and bridge staff gave construction and maintenance updates (bridge work, culvert installations, pipe installed and paving tonnage); the auditor’s office reviewed utility assistance programs available from Ameren and community agencies; and a member of the public raised problems with postal service deliveries.

Votes at a glance - Approve consent agenda: approved (voice vote; ayes recorded) - Approve budget amendments described at the budget hearing (adjustments described as over $351,000): approved (voice vote; ayes recorded) - Permission to enter 3‑year contract with EagleView for aerial imagery (county share presented as $46,004.69; other entities to reimburse): approved (voice vote; ayes recorded) - Permission to create chief deputy public administrator (grade 6) effective in 2026 (title/grade change, not an additional employee in current year): approved (voice vote; ayes recorded) - Permission to bid metal roof for Weber Road facility (remove existing layers and install metal roof, disposal included): approved (voice vote; ayes recorded) - Permission for sheriff’s office to apply for FY25 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) regional grant (motion recorded as $60,000, no match): approved (voice vote; ayes recorded) - Permission for emergency management director to apply for SHSP grant (discussed request of $50,000 for one drone and two pilot licenses): approved (voice vote; ayes recorded)

The meeting closed after scheduling the next meeting one week hence and taking a few public comments about mail delivery and upcoming county events.