Howell County Commission continues budget hearings

Commissioners continued their budget meeting with department heads. During his meeting Thursday, Sheriff Brent Campbell noted several areas of need in the Sheriff’s Office, including groceries for inmate meals and an incinerator replacement. They budgeted approximately $80,000 for groceries this year, which the commissioners noted was more than $10,000 lower than last year. Campbell commented that inflation has driven grocery prices up and the reduction is meant to curb additional costs and encourage strict budgeting. He also discussed a need to replace an incinerator used for the disposal of prescription pills.

In a hearing with Mike Coldiron, Director of Emergency Services, the commissioners held a discussion on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and other software used for mapping county land. 

County Collector Janet Crow presented her proposed budget as well. She noted some logistical and financial difficulties her office faces. These include increased postage costs and waiting approximately eight months to receive a bill from a company. Crow also discussed two recent Missouri Senate bills with the commissioners, Bill 190 and Bill 759, which relate to taxes paid by seniors and electrical utility rates. Crow commented, “It’s sad that legislators do not understand the tax processes in their state or county.”

The commission also met with Jordan Land, the court’s Chief Juvenile Officer, and Tammy Nelson, also representing the juvenile court, to discuss their budget. Land remarked on the difficulty in finding housing for juveniles, stating, “Finding detention centers that are open and will take a kid has been an issue. […] They’re not able to hire detention staff, so if you show up with a kid who’s violent, they won’t take him.”

Agendas regularly include approving accounts payable and recognizing any guests who appear.

Your Howell County commissioners are Presiding Commissioner Ralph Riggs, Northern Commissioner Calvin Wood, and Southern Commissioner Billy Sexton. The commission meets in regular session on Mondays and Thursdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The meetings remain open during the lunch hour and are open to the public. Contact the commissioners’ chamber by phone at (417) 256-3872.