The Texas County Commission discussed matters during its July 31-Aug. 1 meeting.
Members:
•Appointed Stephen Bird to the Date Township board to fulfill an unexpired term.
•Reviewed correspondence from HIC regarding health benefits.
•Met with its attorney, Ivan Schraeder, in closed session.
•Received a list of properties from Collector-Treasurer Tammy Cantrell that will be sold 10 a.m. Aug. 26 as part of the sale of properties where owners owe county taxes.
•Sent correspondence to the Missouri Department of Transportation related to requesting credit on a bridge project.
•Discussed an upcoming Sunshine Law training session that will be held in October. It is open to all elected officials.
•Heard from Jeff Malam of Pierce Township related to issues there.
Commissioners Scott Long and Doyle Casey at their Aug. 7-8 meeting:
•Discussed bills related to inmates’ medical care. The county clerk is do research for additional information for the commission.
•Reviewed correspondence from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
•Visited with Rob Harrington, economic developer for the City of Houston, who discussed issues related to Piney River Technical Center. He updated the commission on progress with Mineral Area College, which will offer classes. Students with A+ state benefits can apply them locally for classes. He discussed repairs needed to the building on Spruce Street and asked for consideration in the 2020 budget for funds from the county, if available. The center will allow county students to receive a four-year degree through Mineral Area College and Drury University. Additional technical education will be available.
•Okayed payment to Smith & Co. Engineers of Poplar Bluff.
•Heard from Clinton Schwarz, the emergency management director for the county, who was planning a tabletop exercise on Wednesday, Aug. 14, for elected officials.
•Meet with Sheriff Scott Lindsey, who reported a new transport van had arrived and will be operational soon. Inmate meals were discussed and the quality has improved since moving the operation under the county’s oversight. Commissioners also reviewed a title issue with a vehicle and heard that Lindsey would be attending a law enforcement conference.
•Visited with Glenn McKinney of Houston related to POW/MIA Day on Sept. 20. The commission approved a request to use a memorial area at the Texas County Administrative Center during the observance.
•Heard an issue related to a road that is a private drive and not a township matter.