McDonald County Commission appoints Jessica Cole interim county clerk after Kimberly Bell resignation

The McDonald County Commission appointed Jessica Cole as interim county clerk effective Dec. 1, 2024, after County Clerk Kimberly Bell filed a resignation effective Nov. 30, the minutes of the Nov. 27 meeting show.

The action followed a motion by a commissioner, which was seconded; the motion passed by unanimous vote. The minutes note the appointment was made pursuant to RSMo 49.101, the Missouri statute that allows a county commission to appoint an interim county official to discharge the duties of the office until a gubernatorial appointment is made.

At the same meeting the commission signed and approved accounts payable totaling $523,560.47, a financial action recorded in the minutes. The commission also documented that it will reconvene on Dec. 2, 2024.

The minutes list Presiding Commissioner Bryan Hall, Eastern Commissioner Jamey Cope and Western Commissioner Rick Lett as present. The minutes do not identify which commissioner moved or seconded the appointment motion; the record states only that "Commissioner made a motion" and that the motion passed by unanimous vote.

There are no recorded amendments to the motion or separate votes on compensation or bonding requirements for the interim clerk in the minutes. The appointment entry references the protections, bonding requirements and other provisions attached to the office as described under RSMo 49.101. The minutes do not specify whether Jessica Cole was already employed by the county or whether any county staff were assigned implementation tasks related to the transition.

The commission adjourned the session and listed Dec. 2, 2024 as the date to reconvene.