Commission Minutes Unofficial

MARCH 6, 2006 THE 20TH DAY
OF THE JANUARY ADJOURN TERM

The County Commission met in Associate II Circuit Courtroom at 9:00 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.

UPDATE ON BRANSON TECHNICAL COLLEGE
JEFF IRELAND

Jeff Ireland, Human Resources Director, updated the Commission with a report
about the new Branson Technical College campus off of Bee Creek Road. Ireland
explained that two nursing classed have already started for both RN and LPN programs.
Ireland further stated that this April a Medical Administrative Assistant course is starting
along with Spanish classes. Ireland added that they hope to add computer, digital camera,
and EMT classes and that they look forward to long and prosperous relationship with
Taney County through partnership with the Taney County Ambulance District.

JIM BLANSIT TAXATION
JAMES STRAHAN

James Strahan, Assessor addressed the Commission in regards to a taxation
problem over $8.20 for Jim Blansit. Strahan explained that he measured the house that
went onto the wrong parcel and the bill was sent to Jim Blansit when it actually belongs
to his neighbor. Strahan added that once the error was discovered they started the process
of getting the tax bill straightened and due to a clerical error, Mr. Blansit’s owned acres
and land classification didn’t change in that taxation year. Strahan stated that there were
two abatements processes and now an $8.20 abatement can’t be generated. Strahan
expressed that he would like to get it all straightened out.

Commissioner Herschend asked what the process is? James Strahan explained
that an order for a second abatement to agriculture needed to be done. Donna Neeley,
County Clerk expressed that the abatement is still out there and is in the stack that has
been pulled since November. Strahan clarified that it is also a Jim Travis computer
problem for the second abatement. Neeley stated that this one is still needing to be abated
before the Board of Equalization. Strahan expressed that this was his mistake and he
would do whatever needs to be done to correct it.

Commissioner Herschend stated that the current stack of BOE that he has, is still
from two weeks ago and that he has been unable to find the abatements that Neeley says
he has in his possession. James Strahan suggested printing another one and continuing on
with the process.
 Commissioner Herschend made motion to approve the abatement for Jim Blansit
for the amount of $8.20. The motion died for the lack of a second.

The Commission decided to take care of the issue during the Board of
Equalization

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB SUPPORT LETTER

Presiding Commissioner Pennel stated that he has a support letter for the Boys
and Girls Club that would be approved later in the day at a work session.

PRIOR MINUTES

Commissioner Strahan made a motion to approve minutes from November 14,
2005, December 22, 2005, February 21, 22, 23, and 28, 2006. Commissioner Herschend
seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Pennel (yes), Herschend (yes), Strahan
(yes).

ACCOUNTS ALLOWED

Commissioner Strahan made a motion to approve accounts payable warrants
#93485-93497 and #93574-93648, void #93498-93573, and manual warrants #4468-
4470. Commissioner Herschend seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Pennel
(yes), Herschend (yes), Strahan (yes).

ACACIA CLUB

Property Owners from Acacia Club Road presented the Commission with a
petition for speed bumps to slow some of the traffic down on the road.

Commissioner Herschend explained that the Commission is anxious to provide
for public safety, but they have to do that through the Sheriff. Herschend added that there
is a person hired to patrol and there is a log of the last 90 days saying how many times he
has been in that area. Herschend further stated that he went as far as the state on this issue
and expressed that it is a tough situation because when something is put in the road that
can cause cars to lose control, then liability becomes an issue.

Phyliss suggested putting in a radar trailer for $11,000 that would take a picture as
well as capture the dates and times and is as good as having an officer 24 hours a day.
Phyliss added that it has become a very residential area and something is going to happen
if something is not done.

Commissioner Herschend stated that his heart is to protect and do what can be
done. Herschend added that he didn’t know they had a trailer that could take a picture and
before making a decision on it, he would like to make sure our prosecutor would
prosecute someone just by a picture.
 Commissioner Strahan expressed that he sympathizes with them and would like to
work forward to solve the issue.

Commissioner Herschend encouraged them to go back to Sheriff and ask if the
traffic officer can be in place more.

Presiding Commissioner Pennel suggested that the Commission have the Sheriff
sit down with them and the Prosecutor and do some follow up on this issue to see what is
feasible.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
JAMES STRAHAN

James Strahan addressed the Commission in regards to a Memorandum of
Understanding with the airport. Strahan expressed his disappointment that tax payer
dollars will be spent to pay someone to come to Taney County in order to have airport
ownership. Strahan further expressed that there are several things in the MOU that go
against what he considers to have been passed by the voters of Taney County. Strahan
clarified that there is a portion stating that Road and Bridge money will fund the building
of this airport and that his major concern is if bonds are sold using this letter of
commitment, then there is no action that can be taken if it is based on this document.
Strahan further stated the he feels the county would be committed to the operation of an
airport that is “going under with Federal assistance.” Strahan added that if this document
means “nothing,” then the Commission should not have signed the Memorandum of
Understanding.

Commissioner Herschend clarified that the money being committed to the airport
are those incremental tax dollars that would be generated when someone from another
place gets off an airplane. Herschend further explained that those dollars would be
calculated with their spending and what the county is generating because of that visit.
Herschend added that the Memorandum of Understanding is not to build and operate the
airport; it is to build the road to the airport because it is out of Road and Bridge.
Herschend further clarified that the incremental tax would be generated for Road and
Bridge and the county would commit one million dollars a year for ten years if they
generate that much money.

Commissioner Herschend went on to state that Strahan challenged the document
with broad terms and asked what specific issue he has with the MOU? James Strahan
stated that no tax dollar leaves Taney County on payment of anything that is not his tax
dollars because it is operated off of sales tax and that Road and Bridge is tax dollars.
Strahan clarified that the document does not just talk about Road and Bridge money it
talks about soft money and sewer money. Strahan added that once a bond is sold it is
binding to this county.
 Bob Paulson, County Counselor clarified that the document is just a
Memorandum of Understanding that two out of three Commissioners voted to support in
concept the theory on that paper and that no obligations have been made to any funds.
James Strahan expressed that his concern is what this document really means. A general
discussion ensued.

Commissioner Herschend stated that the incremental tax would be taxes brought
into Taney County that the county would not have if there were not an airplane. James
Strahan asked how they plan on keeping track of taxes being spent from people getting
off of the airplanes? Herschend responded that they would have the number of people on
board the airplane and then could statistically keep track.

James Strahan then asked the Commission if a public hearing has been held
regarding this issue? Herschend explained that a Memo of Understanding isn’t a contract,
but that is what they are working toward. A general discussion ensued.

Presiding Commissioner Pennel stated that Jerry Henry, Silver Dollar City
originally met with the three Commissioners and answered questions about determining
how many new visitors would be brought to Taney County as a result of the airport.
Pennel added that he met with Henry a second time, one on one, for further questioning.
A general discussion ensued.

Commissioner Pennel then asked James Strahan about the Branson Regional
Airport going under? James Strahan stated that he heard it from a good source. A general
discussion ensued.

Commissioner Pennel expressed that this was not an easy decision and was not
taken lightly and that he has spent many hours investigating. James Strahan stated that
MOU should have been signed at a Commission meeting. Commissioner Herschend
stated that the Commission is not required to have a public hearing and expressed that
this would prove to be a positive thing for the citizens.

Commissioner Herschend explained that they sought out the opinions of some of
the best minds in the business community from both the east and west sides of the
county. Herschend added that none of it was done behind closed doors and that nine out
of nine along with the Sewer Board said this concept is a great deal.

Bob Paulson explained if this gets off the ground that the runway would belong to
Taney County however, there would be an operational lease and that they would not be in
the profit making business. Paulson added that the county would own the property 40
years from now.

Commissioner Strahan expressed that he voted against it because it is a Memo of
Understanding that he doesn’t understand. Strahan added that the Commission has talked
about this before but there has always been a catch or statement in question and that he
was a “no vote” for a long time because of the people involved. Strahan expressed a
concern about this being the first time in the United States that this type of contract has
been considered. Strahan added that he is not against an airport in Taney County that
would produce money but that he is against the people involved.

Rick Findley, Auditor asked why the Memorandum of Understanding is needed?
Herschend explained that they would go forward with the contract as long as they
understand that the county is not bound to the MOU. A general discussion ensued.

Commissioner Pennel clarified that Bob Paulson; County Counselor said this
memo does not obligate the county in any way. Commissioner Herschend further
clarified that if the airport doesn’t deliver incremental passengers, then the county owes
nothing and that there are many safe guards for the county.

TITLE III MONIES
PROTEM FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

Donna Neeley, County Clerk stated that the Protem Fire Protection District has
provided her with invoices and will be able to receive Title III contributions in the future.

RECESS

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Commissioner Herschend made a motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to
RSMo 610.021 (1) (2) (12). Commissioner Pennel seconded the motion. The motion
passed by vote: Pennel (yes), Herschend (yes), Strahan (yes).

RECESS

RECONVENE

The County Commission reconvened in the County Commission Office at 11:48
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.

SUPPORT LETTER
BRANSON BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

Commissioner Herschend made a motion to approve a support letter to the
Branson Boys and Girls Club. Commissioner Pennel seconded the motion. The motion
passed by vote: Pennel (yes), Herschend (yes), Strahan (yes).

COMP HOUR EXTENSION
 Commissioner Herschend made a motion to deny the request to extend the
maximum amount of comp hours accumulated from 80 to 120 hours. Commissioner
Strahan seconded the motion to deny. The motion passed by vote: Pennel (yes),
Herschend (yes), Strahan (yes).