County ends contract with financial contractor Linda Smith amid continuing billing concerns

Following an attorney‑client executive session, the Osage County Board of Commissioners moved to terminate the independent‑contractor agreement with Linda Smith, who had been providing financial entry and related services.

The chair said he had received "a multitude of concerns and information from many different directors and department heads" and stated, "I believe that it's time that we need to end the contract with Linda Smith for the services that she was supposed to be providing." Legal counsel Josh Nye advised the board that the independent‑contractor agreement could be terminated by either party with notice as provided in the contract.

Commissioners amended the original motion to make the termination effective at the close of business Friday, May 8, 2026, to give time for turnover. The amended motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Later in the meeting staff reported that Linda Smith had submitted notice and the board accepted a notice/resignation/termination effective April 30, 2026; staff agreed to coordinate recovery of any county property and to disable system access as appropriate.

Commissioners and staff discussed reassigning duties to the incoming appointed county controller and to other staff, and noted the need to complete account access and CIC onboarding tasks to avoid disruption to accounts‑payable processing.