Cole County approves several MOUs and service agreements including Lexipol renewal and Weather or Not forecast contract

The Cole County Commission on Jan. 8 approved a set of personnel MOUs and professional service contracts.

Subrecipient and MOUs: Commissioners approved a CEMA subrecipient award to the LEPC for $10,590.61 to purchase hazardous gas detection monitors for the Jefferson City Fire Department; staff said the LEPC chair had already signed. The board also approved memoranda of understanding for staffing in several elected offices: a sheriff's department part-time position (stated amount $25,000), a recorder of deeds part-time position (characterized in the transcript as "for a third of that") and a collector's office full-time position at $55,328.

Weather services: Public works recommended renewing the county's Weather or Not contract for specialized regional forecasting and emergency weather services. The overall contract cost was stated as $20,304 per year; the city reimburses $9,552, leaving the county's net cost at $10,752. Staff described operational benefits for snow removal, presalting decisions and construction scheduling. Commissioners approved the renewal.

Lexipol grant services: The commission approved a two-year professional services agreement with Lexipol for grant research, writing and review. Staff said the two-year agreement totals $11,000 (billed at $5,500 annually) and reported that return on investment in the prior contract period was about $300,000 in awarded grants.

Towing bid: The board tabled the bid award for towing and storage of motor vehicles for the sheriff's department until the following week.

Next steps: staff will execute the agreements and follow up with contract administration and grant compliance reporting as needed.