Cole County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Cole County Commission approves $15K award, ambulance pact, EMPG grant

The Cole County Commission approved three items at its Aug. 11 meeting, including a $15,000 state award for the Domestic Relations Resolution Fund, a clinical training agreement with Johnson County Ambulance District, and the FY 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant subrecipient agreement. All three votes were 2-0. Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman was absent.

Commission actions

The commission accepted the $15,000 award from the State of Missouri for the Domestic Relations Resolution Fund. It also approved a clinical training affiliation agreement with Johnson County Ambulance District for paramedic ride-alongs, and the FY 2025 EMPG subrecipient agreement. Each passed 2-0.

The commission gave first reading to Budget Adjustment #6, which would allocate the $15,000 award, but took no action. The item is scheduled to return in 10 days. The commission also entered closed session for personnel issues.

Aug. 18 meeting agenda

The commission met Aug. 18 to discuss the 2026 tax levy and a requested increase in the county-paid mileage rate. The agenda also included a public health and safety hazard at 1608 Amanda Drive, agreements with JC Schools and the Jefferson City Fire Department for ladder truck assistance, and Republic Services renewal rates for Public Works. A closed session was scheduled to discuss computer network operational information. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **Aug. 26 – Planning Commission:** Review of three final minor subdivision plats: Hartland Homes Subdivision Sec. 2 on Rocky Hollow Rd., Barry and Dedra's Acres on Pea Ridge Rd., and Babcock Subdivision No. 2 on Rt. NN. No public hearings or variances are scheduled.
• **Aug. 31 – Bid Opening:** The commission will open bids for Bid 2026-15, property tax payment services for the County Collector's Office. No award decision will be made at this meeting.
• **Sept. 1 – County Commission:** Regular meeting with a routine agenda, including approval of minutes, reports, liaison reports, and a review of accounts payable under new business.

County approves siren repair, opens bids for drainage project

The Cole County Commission approved a $45,634 emergency repair of the Taos Outdoor Warning siren and made several board appointments and contract renewals at its July 28 meeting. Separately, bids were opened for the Binder Park drainage improvement project, though no contract has been awarded yet.

County Commission actions (July 28)

The commission voted 3-0 on all items, including:

• Emergency repair of the Taos Outdoor Warning siren ($45,634)
• Appointment of Heather Master to the Planning Commission (Clark Township)
• Appointment of Adam Boessen to the Planning Commission (Osage Township)
• Appointment of Katy Christiansen and reappointment of Tobie Meyer and Tamara Garber to the Careleave Committee
• Renewal of the janitorial supplies contract with Hillyard
• Renewal of Sheriff Department Fleet Maintenance with Big O Tires and Donnie Braun & Sons
• Approval of the WIC Local Agency Nutrition Services contract with the Cole County Health Department
• Renewal of Prisoner Transportation Services with SMOJS

The commission also discussed Tax Levy Recoupment rates, but that item was tabled.

Bids opened for Binder Park drainage project (July 31)

Public Works opened bids for the Binder Park Drainage Improvement project (#2026-201-1). The following bids were received:

• TB Dozing & Excavation: $174,439.80
• GWH Landscape Contracting: $200,582.14
• Courtney Construction: $286,277.60
• All Seasons Landscaping & Construction: $335,697.00

No contract was awarded during the bid opening. Public Works will process the bids for a future decision.

Recent and upcoming meetings

The commission met Aug. 5, but minutes have not yet been published. According to the agenda, the commission was scheduled to consider:

• Accurate Controls 2026 Service Agreement Renewal
• Renewal 1 of Inmate Food Service
• Renewal 2 of Prenger Food Products
• Approval and signing of the contract for Binder Park Drainage Improvement
• Discussion and approval of Tax Levy Recoupment Rates
• A first reading of Budget Adjustment #5

The commission also held an accounts payable review on Aug. 5, per the agenda.

Coming up

The County Commission will meet Aug. 11 to handle administrative matters and review accounts payable. The agenda consists primarily of procedural items.

Cole County Commission approves $174,763 network switch purchase; bids opened for Binder Park drainage project

The Cole County Commission approved a $174,763.48 purchase of Cisco network switches from Huber & Associates at its July 21 meeting, the largest spending decision recorded over the past two weeks. Commissioners voted 3-0 on the purchase, which funds network infrastructure upgrades for county operations.

July 21: Network switches, sole-source contract, and closed session

At the July 21 meeting, the Commission took the following actions:

• **Approved purchase of Cisco Switches from Huber & Associates for $174,763.48** (3-0).
• **Approved a Knox Company Sole Source Request Form and purchase** (3-0). The Knox Company contract was listed on the agenda as a sole-source agreement.
• **Approved Accounts Payable** upon review (2-0-1).
• **Approved a motion to enter closed session** for personnel issues under RSMo 610.021(13) (3-0).

The agenda also included an update on the New Juvenile Center and a convening of the Board of Equalization at 1:15 p.m. Minutes for those items were not yet published.

July 28: Emergency siren repair, board appointments, and contract renewals

On July 28, the Commission approved an emergency repair of the Taos Outdoor Warning siren for $45,634 (3-0). Commissioners also made several appointments and renewed multiple contracts:

• **Planning Commission appointments:** Heather Master to Clark Township (3-0) and Adam Boessen to Osage Township (3-0).
• **Careleave Committee:** Appointed Katy Christiansen and reappointed Tobie Meyer and Tamara Garber (3-0).
• **Janitorial supplies:** Renewed contract with Hillyard (3-0).
• **Sheriff Department Fleet Maintenance:** Renewed with Big O Tires and Donnie Braun & Sons (3-0).
• **WIC Local Agency Nutrition Services contract:** Approved with Cole County Health Dept (3-0).
• **Prisoner Transportation Services:** Renewed with SMOJS (3-0).

A discussion on Tax Levy Recoupment rates was tabled. No further detail on that item was recorded in the minutes.

July 31: Bids opened for Binder Park Drainage Improvement

Bids for the Binder Park Drainage Improvement project (#2026-201-1) were opened July 31. Public Works will process the submitted bids. No contract was awarded during this meeting. The four bids received were:

• TB Dozing & Excavation — $174,439.80
• GWH Landscape Contracting — $200,582.14
• Courtney Construction — $286,277.60
• All Seasons Landscaping & Construction — $335,697.00

The lowest bid came from TB Dozing & Excavation at $174,439.80. The Commission has not yet announced a contract award.

Coming up

• **August 5, 2026 — County Commission:** Administrative matters and accounts payable review.
• **August 11, 2026 — County Commission:** Administrative matters and accounts payable review.

Both upcoming agendas list primarily procedural items.

Cole County Commission approves service contracts; stop sign requests and juvenile center update ahead

The Cole County Commission approved multiple service contracts and equipment purchases at its July 7 meeting, including a $13,156.00 Year 2 contract with Hamilton Medical and a Public Works Shop Expansion contract with Verslues Construction Co. All items passed 3-0.

July 7: Contracts and purchases approved

The Commission voted 3-0 on each of the following items:

• **Health Department MOU** — Signed a memorandum of understanding between the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Cole County Health Department.
• **Hamilton Medical** — Approved a Year 2 service contract for $13,156.00.
• **BioMedical renewal** — Approved renewal for Infusion Pump and IV Service for $3,520.00.
• **911 Strategic Assessment Study** — Approved a professional services contract with Tusa.
• **Public Works Shop Expansion** — Signed a contract with Verslues Construction Co.
• **ADA compliant equipment** — Approved purchase for $1,123.50.
• **Scale** — Approved purchase for $3,550.00.
• **Accounts Payable** — Approved pending review.

These items are recorded in official minutes. Dollar amounts and vote tallies are as listed in the county record.

July 14: Reappointment, grants on agenda

The Commission's July 14 meeting was listed as agenda only; minutes have not yet been published. Scheduled items included the reappointment of Harry Otto to the Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission, approval and signing of Homeland Security Grant subawards, a discussion of election judge pay, and an HMV Grant Adjustment. A closed session for real estate and personnel issues was also planned.

Because minutes are not yet available, outcomes for these items are not confirmed.

July 16: Stop sign requests on Summerfield Drive

The Traffic and Safety Advisory Board met July 16 to consider three stop sign requests along Summerfield Drive. A citizen request was filed for a stop sign at Summerfield Drive at Summerbrook Court/Summerbrook Drive. Staff requests were filed for stop signs at Summerfield Court at Summerfield Drive and at Morning Glory Court at Summerfield Drive.

The agenda also included adoption of the agenda, approval of minutes from the April 30, 2026 meeting, public comment, and setting the next meeting date. Minutes have not yet been published, so decisions on the stop sign requests are not yet confirmed.

Coming up

• **July 21 — County Commission:** An update on the New Juvenile Center is scheduled, along with signing of a sole-source contract with The Knox Company, accounts payable review, and a Board of Equalization session at 1:15 p.m. A closed session for personnel issues under RSMo 610.021(13) is also planned.
• **July 28 — County Commission:** Administrative matters and accounts payable review.
• **July 31 — Bid Openings:** Bids open at 9:00 a.m. for the Binder Park Drainage Improvement project (Project #2026-201-1).

All meeting details are drawn from official agendas and minutes. Readers should consult the linked county documents for authoritative records.