The Atchison County Commission met Thursday, July 16, 2026. Present at the meeting were: Curtis Livengood, Presiding Commissioner; Jim Quimby, North District Commissioner; Richard Burke, South District Commissioner; Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission; and Okema Galston, Administrative Assistant of the Commission.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Bills were reviewed and approved for payment.
Month-end department reports were reviewed and approved.
The commission was notified by Elliot Berger with Prime Healthcare, the current lessor of Pleasant View Nursing Home, via email of their intent to reassign their lease to a new company by the name of OPCO effective August 1. Due to the late nature of the notice, the commission sought legal counsel to review the current lease agreement for a transfer clause. Legal advised that the current lease does carry a transfer clause and that the commission could not deny the transfer without good cause. The commission immediately requested a copy of the transition documents and reached out to the current administration and health director of Pleasant View for their input regarding the newly assigned company.
Clerk Taylor was contacted by representatives from OPCO to set up a Zoom call with the commission, which was held during Thursday’s session. During the call the commission visited David Garetz, CFO, and Francis Emodi, COO, of OPCO. OPCO has provided the transitional documents as requested by legal counsel and a newly-drafted lease agreement between OPCO and Atchison County. All documents will be reviewed and considered for approval at the next meeting of the commission.
Matthew Fazio with Great River Engineering facilitated a bid opening at 10:00 a.m. for BRO-R003001 (X Avenue). There were five contractors present at the opening. They were as follows: Troy Purdon, North Central Bridge; Maddox Hardy, Hardy Construction; Tim Weis, Louis Co.; Todd Paxson, AMCohron & Son, Inc; and Justin Murphy, Emery Sapp & Sons. Also present were Nick Jameson, Schildberg Construction, and Kenny Wallace, Road and Bridge Supervisor. All bids were tabled for review by Great River Engineering.
Mr. Fazio then presented Floodplain Development Permit #2026-02 and #2026-03 for review. The permits are in conjunction with BRO bridge scour projects on BRO-R003(004) T Avenue and BRO-R003(002) K Avenue. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve Permit #2026-02 and #2026-03 as presented.
The commission reviewed BRO Weekly Progress for BRO-R003(24).
Clerk Taylor presented Resolution 004-2026 – Allowing Presiding Commissioner Livengood to execute certain BRO documents between regularly scheduled commission meetings.
RESOLUTION NO. 004-2026
A resolution authorizing the presiding commissioner to execute certain BRO project documents between regularly scheduled commission meetings
Whereas, the County Commission recognizes the need for timely execution of documents associated with the County’s Bridge Replacement and Off-System Bridge (BRO) Projects; and
Whereas, project administration requires the execution of invoices, permit applications, correspondence, and request letters submitted to or received from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and other governmental agencies; and
Whereas, delays in signing such documents between regularly scheduled Commission meetings may adversely impact project schedules, reimbursement requests, permit approvals, and other project-related activities; and
Whereas, the County Commission finds it to be in the best interest of the county to delegate limited signing authority for these purposes.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the County Commission of Atchison County, Missouri, as follows:
Section 1. Authorization
Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood is hereby authorized to execute and sign, on behalf of the County Commission, between regularly scheduled Commission meetings, all documents necessary for the administration of County BRO Projects, including but not limited to:
1) Project invoices and payment requests;
2) Permit applications and related permit documents;
3) MoDOT request letters and correspondence;
4) Routine project administration documents required by MoDOT, consultants, contractors, utility providers, and regulatory agencies; and
5) Other documents necessary to maintain project schedules and facilitate project completion, provided such documents do not obligate the County to expenditures or contractual commitments beyond those previously approved by the County Commission.
Section 2.
Reporting Requirement
Any documents executed pursuant to this Resolution shall be presented to the County Commission at its next regular meeting and entered into the Commission records.
Section 3. Limitation of Authority
Nothing in this Resolution shall be construed to authorize the Presiding Commissioner to:
• Enter into new contracts not previously approved by the County Commission;
• Amend contracts in a manner that increases County financial obligations beyond previously approved amounts; or
• Execute agreements requiring formal approval of the County Commission under Missouri law.
Section 4. Effective Date
This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded by action of the County Commission.
Adopted this 16th day of July, 2026, County Commission of Atchison County, Missouri
The commissioners voted unanimously to approve Resolution 004-2026 as presented.
The commission met with insurance broker Jake Farnsworth from Mike Keith Insurance, Inc. (MKi). MKi specializes in providing insurance coverage to public entities, including property, general liability, inland marine, and auto. Jake shared with the commission how MKi can optimize coverage for public entities and offer more assistance to limit liability. Due to increased costs of property and liability coverage, the commission wants to make sure that those dollars are being spent with a broker that specializes in public entities and county government.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned and then went and inspected county roads.
