St. Francois County commission approves DNR playground grant application, renews county insurance; time-and-attendance plan put under advisement

St. Francois County Commission members voted to allow the county Parks Department to apply for a Missouri Department of Natural Resources recycled-tires grant and approved a $130,056 renewal of the county—s insurance policy, while deferring a decision on an expensive mobile time-and-attendance system.

The Parks Department requested permission to apply for the Missouri DNR recycled-tires grant, which officials said covers up to $75,000 toward recycled-tire surface material for an upcoming playground. "It's going to cover up to $75,000 for, lay in place tire matting for our playground," a Parks Department representative said. Commissioners voted approval by voice vote.

The request comes as the county plans a two-part playground on a hilltop site near the main road, with separate areas for younger and older children. County staff estimated the total playground surface and installation costs would exceed the $75,000 DNR maximum and said the county would cover the remainder; staff gave a planning estimate in the meeting of roughly $125,000 to $150,000 for the complete project.

Commissioners also debated and then approved renewal of the county—s property insurance with Chubb. A commissioner moved to "approve the renewal of the insurance for the premium of $130,056," and the motion carried on a voice vote. The renewal package presented to the commission included an optional terrorism coverage rider costing about $3,500 annually; the package with that coverage was described in the meeting as roughly $130,056 and without it about $126,505. Commissioners discussed rising premiums, higher deductibles on some buildings, and ongoing negotiations with the broker to reduce deductibles on select properties.

A longer discussion focused on a proposed mobile time-and-attendance system for county employees. Staff reported a line-item cost of about $13,440 for components tied to mobile authentication and noted potential additional equipment purchases if the county installs physical thumbprint terminals at multiple facilities. One commissioner summarized the concern this way: "It seems like the honor system is broken and that is still gonna be on the honor system," and added that supervisors must enforce timekeeping if the county is to avoid unnecessary payouts. Commissioners said some county vehicles and dispatch systems already log duty status, and several suggested testing lower-cost options or relying on dispatch call-ins before buying an expensive system. The commission took the proposal under advisement and asked staff and department heads to explore lower-cost alternatives and implementation details before committing funds.

Other meeting business included routine approvals on the consent agenda and reports from the sheriff's and road-and-bridge departments about culvert replacements, mowing and patching work, and upcoming Memorial Day and Special Olympics-related events. The commission also reminded residents of a state parks survey launching the following day and of an upcoming local grand opening at a park.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: approved (voice vote). - Permission to apply for Missouri DNR recycled-tires grant (up to $75,000): approved (voice vote). "It's going to cover up to $75,000," a Parks Department representative said. - Insurance renewal with Chubb, premium $130,056 (option including terrorism rider): approved (voice vote). A commissioner said the package including terrorism coverage was about $130,056 and without it about $126,505.

The commission adjourned following the items and scheduled follow-up discussions on time-and-attendance options and on insurance-deductive negotiations.