County Commission
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A new court order was received from the 43rd District Circuit Court moving operations of the court to Phase Four, the lowest level under the order. In lieu of these new operating guidelines the commission revised their courthouse operations guidelines to include not asking travel and exposure questions at the courthouse entrance, making shields/sneeze guards optional for elected officials in their offices, opening the public restrooms anytime the courthouse is open, and reopening the break room to employees. Robert Mazur, circuit marshal, was also present for the discussion.
James Lewis, road and bridge supervisor, updated the commission on ongoing work. His crew is working on bridge and tube repairs this week in several townships. The mower is working in Marion Township as weather permits. Discussion was held regarding county procedures for working with townships on road repairs. Discussion was also held regarding missing fuel tickets and some crew paperwork; James will look into the situation.
RaCail King, Daviess County Health Director, left word for the commission to advise them of current coronavirus cases in Daviess County. RaCail advised as of April 21 the county numbers were 677 total cases with 3 actives, 0 hospitalized, 660 out of isolation, and 14 deaths. The health department encourages everyone that wants a vaccination to call the office and get on their appointment list. They are making appointments in groups of ten, so they don’t waste vaccine.
Ronetta Burton, county clerk, gave an update on the lack of guidance so far on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) COVID-19 funds. She advised the commission the county should receive half of the funds sometime around August or September this year, with the other half to be received in September of 2022. As soon as guidance is received regarding what the money can be spent on an announcement will be made to the public.
Discussion was held regarding ongoing roof leaks and the steps that need to be taken next. The commission will make a physical inspection on the roof next week. Discussion was also held regarding two 2020 invoices just received for repairs done last fall on the roof. The issue was continued.
Discussion was held regarding an open position on the Board of Equalization. Jim Ruse will make some calls to find someone to serve for 2021. BOE training was also discussed. The issue was continued.
Dale Smith, Breckenridge USPS Mail Carrier, left word for the commission questioning if it was possible to clean out the tube under the low water crossing on 290th Street in Harrison Township to lower the water level on the crossing. When the commission checked into the situation, they discovered Amish residents in the area had already opened the tube enough to help the flow of water. Construction on the new bridge to be installed by Caldwell County for mitigation purposes is set to begin in the fall of 2021.
The commission received a letter from Brandt Shields, Roy Blunt’s office, that he was willing to try and help get the Corps of Engineers to help develop a plan for repairs to the riverbed under Magill Bridge in Union Township. In the last information the commission had received from the Corps, it was stated the Corps would need $25,000 matching funds from the county to keep a 3-4 year needs study moving forward. A discussion was held as to whether that was a good use of public tax dollars. The issue was continued.
Discussion was held regarding a Recycling Inventory Assessment form received from Ann Hamilton at the Northwest Solid Waste District. Discussion was also held regarding the feasibility of having a county recycling program. The issue was tabled at this time until more information about possible participation from the municipalities in the county is gathered.
Harry Renne, Union Township resident, spoke to the commission by phone to advise them of the condition of 290th Street in Harrison Township. The commission will contact the township board to discuss the issue.
Daren Adkins, Associate Circuit Judge, met with the commission to announce Linda Houghton’s retirement on April 23, and to invite the commissioners to enjoy refreshments available in Linda’s honor in the Circuit Court 2nd Floor office.
Discussion was held regarding townships and how many financial statements had been received so far, and also about how many Notices to Proceed had been requested. There was also a request from the townships to have a timeline of deadlines for township filings throughout the year. The county clerk will put a list together for them to use.
Kenneth Wertz, Marion Township resident, met with the commission to discuss a road issue on 170th Street and Highway VV in Marion Township. He was referred to the township board. David Cox will follow up with the township board as well.
Discussion was held regarding the new camera system installed in the courthouse. Wayne Uthe made a motion to purchase one more camera to alleviate a blind spot on the third floor, and two movable cameras for the outside of the building; Jim Ruse seconded, and the motion passed, 3-0.
John Thomas, Liberty Township resident, spoke to the commission by phone to discuss road issues on 215th Street. The commission will contact the township.
After lunch, the commission looked at roads, bridges, and brush in Jefferson and Harrison Townships.
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
This information is taken from the minutes of the March 21, 2021, meeting of the Daviess County Commission. All commissioners were present.
Circuit Court
Cases bound over from the Associate Division: State vs. Jimmy J. Allen, Gallatin, statutory rape second degree, possession of child pornography first offense, D felonies; State vs. Mandie L. Collins, Coffey, abuse or neglect of a child, no sexual contact, D felony; State vs. Bradley DeWayne Taylor, Liberty, leaving scene of accident property damage exceeding $1,000, E felony, misdemeanors careless and imprudent driving, failure to maintain financial responsibility, and seat belt infraction.
Associate Division
Defendants found guilty in the Associate Division of the Circuit Court of Daviess County are listed below with the offense and fine assessed. Additionally, court costs collected for the State of Missouri amount to $74.50 for moving traffic violations and $120.50 in most criminal cases. Judge Daren L. Adkins presided over the following cases:
Bryson A. Fattig, St. Joseph, driving while intoxicated, suspended imposition of sentence, two years probation, 30 hours community service; possession of marijuana amended to non-operating, $350.
Gary L. Spidle, Jamesport, no valid license, $600 and no insurance, $103.50.
Albert E. Buckler, Hamilton, property damage probation violation, probation extended for one year.
Erich F. Krebs, Cameron, assault, 10 days jail.
Richard L. Perkins, Chillicothe, driving while intoxicated prior offender, 10 days jail.
Corey L. Meier, Gallatin, assault probation violation, probation revoked, 15 days jail.
Civil Court
Expunge/Correct arrest record: Jonathan Thomforde vs. Missouri State Highway Patrol, dismissed by parties.
Recorder’s Office
Marriage licenses issued: John Eli Kramer, 23, and Mary Sue Bontrager, 21, both of Jamesport.
Land Transfers
Warranty Deeds
Lot in Gallatin from Jason and Abigail Wilson to Beau Wells and Kailey Salmon as joint tenants and not as tenants in common; Lake Viking lot #2145 from George and Chelsea Nielsen to Kirk and Andrea Nord; tract in Jamesport Township from William and Debra Schapaugh, Daniel and Megan Schapaugh, and Adam and Jami Schapaugh to WTS Heritage Farm LLC; tract in Grand River Township from Brent and Tammy Dustman, Mika and Ben Stelzer, and Lindsey and Seth Bond to Bottomland Farms LLC; partial blocks in Gallatin from Jimmie and Karen Smith to Danyal R. Coon; tract in Benton Township from Mark and Joyce Pastrovich to Timothy and Jessica Mitchell; tract in Jamesport Township from Joseph and Kristina Hostetler to Daniel Wayne Shuler.
Judgment for Quiet Title
Tract in Benton Township from Margaret L. Herald and/or any known or unknown heirs to Ann Netherton Trust Agreement and Robert O’Hare Living Trust Agreement.
Quit Claim Deeds
Lake Viking lot #3101 from Robbie and Heather Redman to Whitney and Taylor Sybert; tract in Salem Township from Danny and Linda Pankau to Brandon Bush and Katherine Elam, the individuals to hold as joint tenants with right of survivorship; Lake Viking lot #2695 from Dayrel and Christine Adkison to Brian and Lauren Dreis.
Trustee’s Deed under Active Trust
Tract in Benton Township from Kenneth A. O’Hare, successor trustee of the Robert O’Hare Living Trust, to Craig Lambert; tract in Benton Township from Michael Netherton, Randy Netherton and Sheryl N. Perry, co-trustees of the Ann Netherton Trust Agreement, to Alyssa Brooke Lambert.