The Benton County Commission met on Monday, November 9. They heard spending requests from several elected officials and department heads pertaining to the 2027 budget. Commissioners also approved fuel bids for both road districts and renewed the County’s solid waste district membership.
Presiding Commissioner Steve Daleske called the meeting to order at 9 AM in the County Commission Room. Associate Commissioners Larry Berry and Scott Harms were also present. Budget sessions will continue with other officials and department heads.
Collector David Brodersen presented his 2027 requests, including the budget for the Collector’s Tax Maintenance Fund. County Clerk Susan Porterfield and County Clerk-Elect Amber Segar presented requests for the Clerk’s Office, elections, Election Services and HAVA funds.
Economic Development Director Jo Ann Lane gave her monthly report on economic development efforts in the county and submitted her 2027 budget requests. Berry and Harms presented requests for Road Districts 1 and 2, and Assessor Jim Hansen presented his office’s 2027 budget.
Treasurer Rebecca Minks gave the Commission a financial report for October and a month-end reconciliation report.
Commissioners accepted the low bid in each of three fuel categories, all by unanimous votes. For unleaded gasoline for Road District 1, the Commission accepted a bid of $3.475 per gallon from Warsaw Oil Company. Zollicker Oil Company bid $3.735 per gallon, and MFA Oil Company bid $4.02. For diesel fuel for Road District 1, the Commission accepted MFA Oil Company’s bid of $5.41 per gallon. Warsaw Oil Company bid $5.495, and Zollicker Oil Company bid $5.585. For diesel fuel for Road District 2, the Commission accepted MFA Oil Company’s bid of $5.26 per gallon. Warsaw Oil Company was the only other bidder, at $5.495.
Clerk Porterfield presented the annual invoice for membership in the Quad-Lakes Solid Waste Management district. Commissioners voted unanimously to renew the membership at an annual cost of $1,387.
Rosa Valentine spoke to the Commission about county bills and questioned certain expenses. She also asked about the County’s agreement for attorney services with Travis Elliott through the Missouri Association of Counties and requested information about the Economic Development Director position. Valentine also asked when Commissioners planned to sign an ordinance brought to the office last week. Daleske said legal counsel has not completed its review.
Patty Richardson asked for information about a 1991 ordinance governing wastewater treatment systems. She submitted a Sunshine Request to the County Clerk for a certified copy.
Other citizens attending the meeting were Sharon Guess, Liza White, Baron Y. Pennington Sr., Rich Chiles, Peggy Crabtree-Berry and Rebecca Minks.
Commissioners discussed the effects of Senate Bill 3, including additional staff and computer programs that might be needed to implement it. Assessor Jim Hansen and Collector David Brodersen took part in the discussion.
Commissioners approved the minutes of the Nov. 2 regular and executive sessions. Clerk Porterfield presented monthly tax abatements for signature, and bills were submitted for approval and payment.
The commission adjourned at 2:20 PM.
