The Morris County Commissioner meeting was called to order on Tuesday, September 8th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Commissioners Jim Barber, David Fox and Wayne Kohler were present. Bill Kassebaum, County Counselor, and Chelsey Schmidt, County Clerk, were present.
Others present: Billy Kryger- Pastor Berean Baptist Church A department head meeting was held in the courthouse downstairs meeting room. Those present were Commissioner Barber, Commissioner Fox, Commissioner Kohler, Billy Kryger, Bill Kassebaum, Chelsey Schmidt, Ryan Michaelis, Corrine Blosser, Scott Coover, Kelsey Sharr, Shelly Lautt, Brett Wright, Brett Samuels, Caleb Chaney and Elisha Bacon. Each department reported on its office(s). Discussion was held regarding holding an employee in-service on Columbus Day, Monday, October 12th, 2026.
David Owen, Morris County EMS Director, gave a report on Morris County EMS and presented the following statistics for the month of August: Ambulance calls: 64 Transfers from MCH to other hospitals: 15 Total number of runs: 79 North County (Station 2): 15 South County (Station 1): 64 Year to date total runs: 589 EMS staff conducted football and sports injury training with Jenn Cook. Staff also completed Certified Emergency Vehicle Operator Training which included ambulance driver training, a written test and a driving test.
Commissioner Fox discussed the Republican and Democratic Party Chairpersons regarding their respective advocacy agendas. He expressed concern over the lack of attention given to the current commissioner candidate, noting his disappointment that neither party had addressed instances of a county commissioner candidate running in a district where they do not genuinely reside.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to recess the commission meeting to conduct the 2027 Revenue Neutral Rate and Budget Hearing. Motion carried.
The commission meeting was recessed at 11:00 a.m.
Chairman Barber called the Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing to order.
Those present were Commissioner Barber, Commissioner Fox, Commissioner Kohler, Chelsey Schmidt, County Clerk, Bill Kassebaum, County Counselor, Ryan Michaelis, County Appraiser and Brian Brown.
Those present were given the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments regarding the proposed 2027 County Budget; open discussion was held.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve Resolution No. 2026-11, to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate. Motion carried.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to adjourn the Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing and call to order the Budget Hearing. Motion carried.
The Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing was adjourned.
Chairman Barber called the 2027 Budget Hearing to order.
Further open discussion was held regarding the proposed 2027 budget.
Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve the 2027 Morris County Budget, as published. Motion carried. The 2027 Budget Hearing was adjourned.
The regular commission meeting resumed at 11:40 a.m.
Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve minutes from the September 1st, 2026, Commission Meeting. Motion carried.
Commissioner Fox (Kohler) moved to approve the accounts payable vouchers as presented; in the total amount of $73,147.55. Motion carried. The breakdown by fund is as follows: General: $40,659.47 Road & Bridge: $14,160.64 Special Bridge: $12,200.00 Reappraisal: $242.42 Noxious Weed: $452.31 Ambulance: $883.31 Solid Waste: $2,130.25 Morris County 911: $1,012.81 Capital Improvement: $1,406.34 Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve payroll liabilities as presented; in the total amount of $45,102.30. Motion carried.
Shelly Lautt and Brett Wright gave the following public works report for the week of August 31st -September 4th: Road & Bridge: Slough Creek Quarry road rock was hauled to L Ave. from 28002850, 2900 Rd. from L-M, T Ave. from 2800-2900, 1000 Rd. from B-C, 1200 Rd. from B-C, 2100 Rd. from M-P, M Ave. from 2000-2100, L Ave. from 2100-2200, 2400 Rd. from J-K and 2500 Rd. from K-L Bayer Construction road rock was placed on T Ave. from 2800-2900 and U Ave. from 2800-2900 Culverts no longer being used were removed from G Ave. between 2400-2500 New entrance culvert was installed on 300 Rd. between P-Q and an old, smashed culvert was removed Trees and debris were cleaned from culverts on G Ave. between 12001300, 1175 Rd. between G-H, 1000 Rd. between B-C and from the OS-5 Bridge (F Ave. 1600-1700) and the RS-360 Bridge (G Ave. 1200-1300) Ditch work was done on 400 Rd. from Q-R and 400 Rd. from R-T Shoulder work was done on A Ave. from 2100-2200, D Ave. from 23002400 and C Ave. from 2300-2400 Rock was cleaned from the ditch on F Ave. from 1000-1100 and V Ave. from 1900-2000 Riprap was placed at the low water crossing on X Ave. between 100-200 Routine sign work was done across the county Mowing was done on the Dunlap Rd., Lake Rd., 4 Mile Rd., Parkerville Rd., Burdick black top and the Council Grove and Wilsey routes The department had an MSHA inspection of our screening operation on August 31st Transfer Station: The John Deere loader that is used for the north yard had repairs done to the brakes and a flat tire that was also repaired Recycling: A load of recyclables was sent out to Birch in St. Joe, Missouri A load of scrap metal went out to Hess & Sons Discussion was held regarding the current chemical inventory for the Noxious Weed Department.
Colleen Anderson, with Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), visited with the commissioners regarding September 17th marking the 235th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention. A request was made for the commissioners to proclaim the week of September 17th- 23rd as Constitution Week.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to proclaim September 17th through 23rd as Constitution Week and ask our citizens to reaffirm the ideals the framers of the constitution had in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties, remembering that lost rights may never be regained. Chairman Barber was authorized to sign the Proclamation. Motion carried.
The commissioners reviewed the following budget report for the month of August: See above.
Funds that had less than 33% budget remaining were discussed.
Anthem Concrete Coatings attended the commission meeting via telephone. Discussion was held regarding applying the epoxy coating to the community building floor with the projected rain and humidity in the weather forecast.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to delegate Chelsey Schmidt to sign the risk waiver with Anthem Concrete Coatings for the community building floor and to move forward with completing the project this week. Motion carried.
Commissioner Kohler (Fox) moved to approve the quote from KnowInk for the purchase of eight electronic poll pads. The equipment, licensing, and training costs of $27,655.00 are to be paid from the Equipment Reserve Fund. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.