Commission Minutes

OFFICIAL MINUTES
January 9, 2012, 4th DAY OF
THE JANUARY ADJOURN TERM

The County Commission met in the Commissioner’s Hearing Room at 8:36 a.m. with Ron
Houseman, Danny Strahan and Jim Strafuss present. The following proceedings were had and
made a matter of record:

PRELIMINARY STUDY MEETING

The County Commission met to review previous meeting minutes and accounts payable. Tyler
Franke of Branson Tri-Lakes News asked the Commissioners about the salary study done.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Mike Brittian went before the Commission to continue discussion regarding the mulch
bagging operation and requested he be put on the agenda to further discuss community economic
development grant. Mr. Atchley owner of Aztec Wonder would like to produce Bio-char
utilizing the same grant.

CALL TO ORDER

Presiding Commissioner Houseman called the January 9, 2012 meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. with
all members present.

PRAYER

Treasurer Helen Soutee led the prayer.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Commissioner Strahan led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – 12/29, 12/30

Commissioner Strafuss moved to approve the minutes of 12/29 and 12/30/2011 with changes and
corrections. Commissioner Strahan seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:
Houseman (aye), Strahan (aye) and Strafuss (aye).

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/ JOURNAL ENTRIES/TRANSFERS

Commissioner Strafuss moved to approve accounts payables as follows:
Commissioner Strahan seconded the motion for discussion. Commissioner Strahan asked if a
previously discussed item had been resolved. Commissioner Strafuss said it had. The motion
passed by vote: Houseman (aye), Strahan (aye) and Strafuss (aye).

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN AGFC AND TC

Commissioner Strafuss moved to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between Arkansas
Game and Fish Commission and Taney County. Commissioner Strahan seconded the motion.
The motion passed by vote: Houseman (aye), Strahan (aye) and Strafuss (aye).

RADIO TOWER

Commissioner Strafuss had received a request from Central Taney County Fire to utilize part of
the Taney County Radio Tower to better their coverage. Commissioner Strafuss would like a
document signed for liability. The Commission would have legal counsel review the issue.

STAFF DEPARTMENTAL MEETING – ROAD AND BRIDGE

Randy Haes and David Stottle of Road and Bridge went before the Commission for a staff
departmental meeting.

The Commission gave Mr. Haes a fill dirt agreement at a location near Kissee Mills for his
review. Commissioner Houseman signed a permanent and temporary easement previously
approved.

Randy Haes brought pictures of damage done to Clevenger Cove. Expenses would be covered as
there was an insurance claim filed. Two hour-long safety meetings would be held the end of
February. Signs needed to be sorted through and recycle signs no longer needed. A Chip Seal
list was being compiled.

Commissioner Strahan asked about permits from the Corp of Engineers for the K Hwy project
and one on the Big Creek Arm, near the Big Creek arm in the Protem area. Commissioner
Strahan announced Mr. Haes had been appointed as Interim Road Administrator.

RECESS
9:28 AM

RECONVENED
10:08 AM

FINAL READING AND APPROVAL OF THE 2012 BUDGET

Commissioner Houseman read Chapter 50.610 which included stipulations. Commissioner
Houseman read the relating statutes.
Commissioner Houseman gave a statement regarding the financial condition of the 2012 budget
and stated the 2012 Budget had $1.4 million deficit but could be as high as a $1.9 million deficit.
Commissioner Strahan stated a 3 to 4 year financial plan would be sought to make a reduction in
expenses, such as done with the Road and Bridge budget. Commissioner Strafuss stated the
2012 budget eliminated the intra-county transfers, utilized a fund balance to designate County
anticipated funds at the beginning of next year and explained the Salary Study and stated it
would still be utilized.

Commissioner Houseman asked if there were questions regarding the proposed 2012 budget.

Treasurer Sheila Wyatt stated Stone County officers and employees worked together to allow
pay raises. Ms. Wyatt felt elected officials cut funds to see that the county Commission had
funds to make the budget stronger, and though the Salary Study had not been reviewed, she
hoped the County would not lose seasoned employees due to a lack of a raise. She hoped as
Collector a tax levy burden would not be put on tax payers. Sherry Veltkamp stated one thing
she wondered how this would affect much of the decisions made in the coming year.

Commissioner Strafuss moved to adopt and approve the 2012 budget. Commissioner Strahan
seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Houseman (aye), Strahan (aye) and Strafuss
(aye).

Tyler Franke of Branson Tri-Lakes News stated last Monday if 5 to 10% cut were made, all
employees would receive pay increases. Mr. Franke asked if that was still a true statement.
Commissioner Houseman said they would look at county employees across the board.
Commissioner Strahan said as we look and review salary schedule and evaluation, some
exemplary employees would be taken into consideration first. The Commission appreciated all
cuts elected officials and department heads made. Tyler Franke asked if a dollar amount in the
contingency fund would be available for raises. Commissioner Strahan said a dollar amount was
not available as the study needed to be taken into consideration. Commissioner Strafuss said
after all cuts were made, we had $2.6 million over what was approved in 2011. Commissioner
Strafuss stated the budget had an increased budget over 2011, rather than a decreased of 5%.

Jan Clark of the Taney County Times asked the Commission what part of the Budget included
the expenses and revenues of the Sheriff’s budget. Commissioner Strafuss said 117 and 118
were Sheriff’s budget lines. Ms. Clark also asked when we made the cuts in road and bridge,
why additional employees weren’t terminated. Commissioner Strafuss said 28 positions were
eliminated last year. The Commission felt with fewer personnel, services provided to the
citizens would be affected. Ms. Clark asked if why the Commission didn’t ask employees to
make a co-pay to save expenditures. Commissioner Houseman said the Commission did
consider that but didn’t take that action to retain the trained staff within the county system. Jan
Clark asked if 2011 had deficit spending. Commissioner Houseman said no; however if you
subtract transfers into GCR for admin purposes, then there would be deficit spending. Over
$200,000 was transferred over to 2012. Commissioner Strafuss said projected revenues were
less than prior years. Sheriff asked upside on tax revenues, last three months went up. Rick
Findley stated Taney County was still one of the best places to live, and felt the County was
better off than other counties.
 RECESS
10:50 AM

EXECUTIVE SESSION – LEGAL UPDATE PER SECTION 610.021(1), (2), (3) & (12)

Commissioner Strafuss moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to RSMo 610.021(1), (2),
(3) and (12). Commissioner Strahan seconded the motion. The motion passed by roll call vote:
Houseman (aye), Strahan (aye), and Strafuss (aye).

EXECUTIVE SESSION
11:04 AM

See Executive Session Minutes for actions, if any.

Commissioner Strafuss moved to go out of Executive Session. Commissioner Strahan seconded
the motion. The motion passed by roll call vote: Houseman (aye), Strahan (aye) and Strafuss
(aye).

Commissioner Strafuss exited the meeting at 2:10 p.m.

OUT OF EXECUTIVE
2:30 PM

RECONVENED
2:31 PM

AGENDA REQUESTS REVIEW

The Commission met with Nikki Lawrence to review agenda requests.

Commissioner Strahan moved to adjourn. Commissioner Houseman seconded the motion. The
motion passed by roll call vote: Houseman (aye), Strahan (aye) and Strafuss (absent).

ADJOURNED
2:38 PM

The minutes were taken and typed by Lyn Wieneke, Deputy Clerk.