Neosho County treasurer raises training, credit-card and signatory issues; commissioners review travel and mileage policy updates

Treasurer Gabby told the Neosho County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 20 that recent training for the treasurer’s office has largely depleted the office’s budget and asked the board how to cover remaining costs.

The request followed an earlier, closed-door executive session about non‑elected personnel in the treasurer’s office; the board recessed for that session and returned without taking formal action. In public session, Gabby said the office paid $7,000 in deposits toward training and that about another $7,000 remained due, leaving “only gonna have, like, a thousand dollars left after it's all said and done or less,” according to the record.

Why it matters: Commissioners must decide whether to transfer county general funds or allow the treasurer’s office to run temporarily over budget to cover mandatory training. The board also discussed administrative changes that affect day‑to‑day operations in the treasurer’s office and countywide reimbursements.

Discussion and next steps

Commissioners agreed the treasurer should keep charging training out of the office budget for transparency and recordkeeping while the board considers whether to formally reallocate funds. The board indicated it would note the overage for the year rather than immediately move funds, and staff said the treasurer should continue procedure so the spending is documented in departmental records.

The treasurer and county staff also discussed issuing county credit cards for departmental purchases. The clerk’s office said it has not yet worked with the bank to make changes and that, under current arrangements, only one person — identified in the meeting as Heather — was authorized to change credit‑card accounts. Commissioners asked the interim clerk to contact the bank and start the process to add cards for the treasurer and, possibly, a deputy; the clerk said she would reach out to the bank the next business day.

Record keeping, bank signers

The board also moved to update bank signature records for payroll and other accounts. Commissioners directed staff to remove two names from payroll accounts and add four others (names were read into the record). The motion to change signers was made and later recorded as carried; staff said a revised signature card will be prepared and routed for signatures to avoid disruptions to upcoming payroll cycles.

Travel, mileage and per diem policy updates

County staff reviewed proposed revisions to the county travel and reimbursement policy. Key points discussed: - Mileage will be processed through payroll by voucher, using the most direct route and the current IRS standard mileage rate. - Meal per‑diem was proposed to rise from the policy’s existing $30 per day (2009 policy) to a flat maximum of $45 per day, with a suggested cap of 60% of the daily total for a single meal to limit one‑meal extravagance. Commissioners discussed, but did not finalize, an exact cap. - Reimbursements must be accompanied by receipts; staff proposed retaining a requirement that receipts be submitted and adding language for company credit‑card charges and lost receipts. - The policy would maintain that emergency‑service, 24/7 and required maintenance personnel are not excused from work when the courthouse is closed and clarified which leave balances employees may use.

Staff said they will revise the draft to incorporate the commissioners’ directions, correct typographical errors, and return it for formal adoption. Commissioners discussed making the revised policy effective Jan. 1 to align payroll and to avoid having travel reimbursements processed inconsistently for January payroll cycles.

Meeting context and immediate implications

The treasurer’s requests prompted two short executive sessions earlier in the meeting (no personnel actions were reported on the record after returning). Commissioners instructed staff to prepare the revised bank signature form, complete bank coordination on credit cards, and finalize the travel/mileage policy changes for consideration at the next meeting. No transfers of county funds were finalized during the Jan. 20 session.

Ending

Staff committed to circulating updated policy language and the revised bank signature paperwork ahead of the next regular meeting so the board can act before the next payroll cycle.