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Cole County Commission approves routine contracts, purchases and traffic changes; directs staff on policy drafts
Summary
At its Dec. 16 meeting the Cole County Commission reappointed an authority board member, approved a MODOT lease to address erosion at a public‑works site, accepted a MODHSS public‑health contract amendment, renewed insurance coverage, approved EMS pay‑grid updates and authorized several stop‑sign installations; commission directed staff to draft inspection‑fee and leash‑ordinance language and moved to closed session.
The Cole County Commission on Dec. 16 conducted a mix of routine business and policy direction, approving several contracts and purchases and asking staff to bring drafts on two policy items back for future consideration.
Key actions approved by voice vote included the reappointment of Jeff Knott to the Heartland Board Authority; signature of a five‑year lease with the Missouri Department of Transportation to allow remediation and fence relocation at the Monticello public‑works site (no cost to the county); and a contract amendment with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services covering public‑health emergency preparedness for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, for $48,103.
The commission approved the purchase of four replacement EMA hanging‑wall heaters at $23,255 to replace rusted units, renewed property, liability and cyber insurance with Travelers despite a 19.63% premium increase (to retain a $6 million umbrella and current $10,000 deductibles), and approved updates to the EMS pay grid tied to recent budget decisions and minimum‑wage impacts.
Traffic staff and the Traffic and Safety Advisory Board presented warrant analyses for two stop‑sign requests. The commission voted to install a stop sign at Penny Hollow Road and Boone Road (restricted sight distance) and at Lost Valley Lane and Liberty Road (lower‑classification side road meeting a higher‑speed through road) and to sign the related orders.
The commission also voted to enter closed session pursuant to Section 610.021 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri; roll call was taken.
Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting): - Reappoint Jeff Knott to Heartland Board Authority — motion carried (voice vote). - Sign MODOT lease for Monticello public‑works right‑of‑way (five‑year term, no county cost) — motion carried (voice vote). - Approve MODHSS contract amendment for public‑health emergency preparedness ($48,103) — motion carried (voice vote). - Approve purchase of EMA hanging‑wall heaters ($23,255) — motion carried (voice vote). - Renew property and liability coverage with Travelers (2026; ~19.63% premium increase) — motion carried (voice vote). - Approve EMS pay‑grid updates — motion carried (voice vote). - Accept Traffic & Safety Advisory Board recommendations and install stop signs at Penny Hollow/Boone and Lost Valley/Liberty — motions carried (voice votes). - Move to closed session under Section 610.021 — motion carried; roll call initiated.
What’s next: Several items require follow‑up (staff to draft an inspection‑fee ordinance and a parks leash ordinance; traffic orders to be signed and implemented).
