Cole County approves contracts, equipment purchase and multiple bid awards; signs MOU for EMT clinical observations

Cole County commissioners on March 11 approved a slate of contracts, equipment purchases and bid awards, and signed a memorandum of understanding allowing EMT students to observe clinical work with JCPD community resource officers.

Among the items approved, the commission renewed a commercial appraisal contract with Nunn Company Appraisal Services for 2025 and accepted a quote to purchase a Robotic Total Station for surveying at $22,992.03. A Public Works representative described the device as "an optical surveying instrument that uses robotics to automate the positioning and aiming of the device," and said the purchase is included in the department's 2025 budget and comes via a MoDOT contract.

The board approved Supplemental Agreement No. 2 with Central Missouri Professional Services for additional construction-phase engineering on the Wildwood Drive extension in the amount of $33,901.58. Commissioners also accepted multiple competitive bid awards for 2025 road and maintenance supplies and services, with recommendations to the lowest and best responsive vendors in each category; Jefferson Asphalt was the sole bidder recommended for cold milling and asphalt paving services.

The commission approved an MOU with JCPD to permit EMT students to undertake clinical observation with community resource officers to gain experience in crisis intervention, mental-health response and related socioeconomic issues. The MOU is ongoing, contains no monetary exchange and may be terminated by either party with 30 days' written notice, the presenting official said.

The board also signed an engagement letter with Williams Keepers LLC for the upcoming financial statement audit at $61,425, and authorized a single-audit engagement for one major program at $5,000 (ARPA); the presenter noted a potential additional $5,000 if the EMS building CDBG grant requires single-audit work.

In a separate budget item, commissioners approved the second and final reading of Court Order Budget Adjustment No. 1, a $271,950 adjustment tied to a Public Works sales tax project.

Votes on the routine procurement and contract items were taken in sequence; commissioners voiced "Aye" on each motion and the board clerk recorded approval verbally. The actions approved at the March 11 meeting direct staff to execute the contracts, process the purchases and proceed with project administration and grant auditing as required.

Votes at a glance

- Assign Nunn Company Appraisal Services contract for commercial appraisal services for 2025: approved. - Approve quote to purchase Robotic Total Station (survey equipment): $22,992.03; approved. - Approve Supplemental Agreement No. 2 with Central Missouri Professional Services for Wildwood Drive extension construction-phase engineering: $33,901.58; approved. - Bid awards (2025): multiple categories (road materials, blades, mosquito spray materials, vegetation spray materials, leased equipment, signs, asphalt materials, pipes); recommendations to lowest and best responsive vendors in each category; approved. - Cold milling and asphalt paving services: Jefferson Asphalt (sole responder); approved. - Approve and sign MOU with JCPD for EMT student clinical observation (no cost; terminable with 30 days' notice): approved. - Sign engagement letter with Williams Keepers LLC for financial audit: $61,425 for financial statement audit; $5,000 for single audit (ARPA); potential additional $5,000 if EMS CDBG grant requires single-audit work; approved. - Second and final reading of Budget Adjustment No. 1 (Court Order) for $271,950: approved.

Commission staff were directed to finalize contracts and to carry forward budget and procurement items to administrative processing and project management steps. Commissioners noted that some items used state or MoDOT contracts and that several procurements were budgeted for 2025.