Commission Minutes Unofficial

JULY 5, 2005 THE 27TH DAY
OF THE APRIL ADJOURN TERM

The County Commission met in Associate II Circuit Courtroom at 9:09 a.m.
pursuant to adjourn with Chuck Pennel, Presiding, Ron Herschend, Western District, and
Danny Strahan, Eastern District present. The following proceedings were had and made
a matter of record.

The prayer was led by Chuck Pennel followed by the pledge.

HORSES
RICK REDDING

Rick Redding addressed the Commission regarding a letter that was sent by
Jimmie Russell to the Missouri State Highway Patrol stating that Redding had made a
complaint however, Redding clarified that Carl Young was the one who made the
complaint. Redding further explained that the complaint was made about horses being
switched at an auction and that it was requested that the Sheriff’s Department question
the people involved to find out the truth. Redding asked, “why wasn’t the truth told in
this letter and what are you going to do about it?”

Jimmie Russell, Sheriff, explained that both Redding and Young have spoken to
him regarding this issue and he sent a letter to the Highway Patrol requesting that they
take over the investigation because a complaint was made against the county. Russell
further stated that because the complaint was made against the county it was best the
Sheriff’s Department remained neutral in order to avoid being accused of taking sides.

Rick Redding clarified that the complaint was against the people who stole and
switched the horses not the county.

Commissioner Herschend asked what the Commission could do to further look
into the issue? Russell stated the only thing they can do is have the Highway Patrol do
the investigation and have the county stay out of the process. Russell suggested
contacting George Knolls with the Division of Drug and Crime Control for further
questions. A general discussion ensued.

Presiding Commissioner Pennel suggested that the Commission have Jimmie
Russell contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol to find out about the case and its
status. It was decided that either Jimmie Russell or the Commission will look into the
situation and will contact Redding informing him as to the next step in the process.

BUDGET HEARING-AMENDMENT TO GCR
TRESSA LUTTRELL

Tressa Luttrell, Administrator, addressed the Commission with the amendment to
the General County Revenue fund with a $100,000 line item taken out of the contingency
fund for the start up cost of the airport. Luttrell noted that the Commission’s office had
not received any questions or comments regarding the change of the 2005 budget.
Commissioner Herschend made a motion to amend General County Revenue’s Budget to
add a department for the airport in the amount of $100,000 for an operating budget.
Commissioner Pennel seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Pennel (yes),
Herschend (yes), Strahan (yes).

TELEPHONE BID
TRESSA LUTTRELL

Tressa Luttrell, Administrator, stated that she received two bids for the old Nortel
System for the exact same amount. Luttrell explained that she contacted both Pat
Thurman and Forsyth School District and told them to send a new bid but the two bidders
talked it over and Pat Thurman decided to drop his bid and install the phone system for
Forsyth Schools. Commissioner Herschend made a motion to accept the bid from the
Forsyth School District. Commissioner Pennel seconded the motion. The motion passed
by vote: Pennel (yes), Herschend (yes), Strahan (yes).

PRIOR MINUTES

Commissioner Strahan made a motion to approve minutes from June 27 and 28.
Commissioner Pennel seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Pennel (yes),
Herschend (yes), Strahan (yes).

ACCOUNT ALLOWED

Commissioner Strahan made a motion to approve accounts payable warrants #
89891-89968. Commissioner Pennel seconded the motion. Commissioner Strahan
withdrew his motion to approve due to a conflict with a warrant #. Commissioner Pennel
withdrew his second.

Presiding Commissioner Pennel made a motion to approve account payable
warrants # 89891-89968. Commissioner Herschend seconded the motion. The motion
passed by vote: Pennel (yes), Herschend (yes), Strahan (abstain).

ABATEMENTS TO BANKRUPTCY
SHELIA WYATT

Shelia Wyatt, Collector, explained to the Commission that she has three
abatements for bankruptcy that need to be approved. Wyatt explained one business,
Eddie Bauer, had two bankruptcy abatements one from 2003 and the other from 2004 and
K-Mart had one from 2002. Commissioner Herschend made a motion to approve the
three abatements to bankruptcy. Commissioner Strahan seconded the motion.
Commissioner Herschend withdrew his motion due to question as to whether the Board
of Equalization should decide on the case instead of the County Commission.
Commissioner Pennel withdrew his second. It was decided that the three abatements to
bankruptcy would be attached to the abatements and approved at BOE scheduled after the
Commission meeting.

TAX SALE ISSUE
SHELIA WYATT

Shelia Wyatt, Collector, explained that there is a tax sale problem on a piece of
property in Merriam Woods Village, Ridgewood lot 7 block 7. Wyatt stated that the
Assessor’s Office missed the deed in 2002 transferring ownership to Doug Smock
resulting in the property being advertised under the previous owners name and all
delinquent notices were sent to the old owner. Wyatt explained that the new owner is
now on record and the base tax amount of $504.14 has been paid. Wyatt further stated
that she figured the redemption for the property under RSMo 140.300 and requested “that
the County Commission authorize the Auditor to pay to the Collector’s disbursement
account a check in the amount of $330.62 to pay for the redemption of the property that
was sold at the August 2004 annual tax sale.”

James Strahan, Assessor, stated the Assessor’s Office is an unofficial taxation
office and are not an official title search agency. Strahan asked why the county should
redeem a piece of property that has taxes owed on it when the owners haven’t done their
part to pay their taxes? Wyatt clarified that the law requires 15 days before the tax bills
are due on December 15th that the Collector is to send a tax bill to the owner however, in
this case the Collector did not send the tax bill or delinquent notices to the owner. A
lengthy discussion ensued.

Note: Commissioner Herschend left the Commission meeting at 10:35 a.m.

Presiding Commissioner Pennel suggested that the Commission rule on this
matter as they have in the past and then reconvene to discuss the issue and see about
changing the policy after this ruling.

Commissioner Strahan expressed a concern about voting on an issue that Pennel
feels is wrong stating, “I can’t support what your saying if you don’t think what your
doing is right.” Strahan explained he would like to wait until there is more clarity on the
issue before voting.

RECESS

Commissioner Pennel made a motion to recess. Commissioner Strahan seconded
the motion. The motion passed by vote: Pennel (yes), Herschend (absent), Strahan (yes).