The Atchison County Commission met Thursday, December 26, 2024. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, and Susette Taylor, Clerk 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.
The commission signed resolutions in recognition of retiring county elected officials and staff. The resolutions were presented to Debbie True, Atchison County Treasurer, for 34 years of service to Atchison County; Dennis Martin, Atchison County Sheriff, for 32 years of service to Atchison County; Jayne Scott, Atchison County Public Administrator, for over 13 years of service to Atchison County; and Richard “Rick” L. Sons, Chief Deputy, for over 32 years of service to Atchison County.
The commissioners reviewed and approved a liquor license application for Sherlock Enterprises, LLC, for an RBDR (Retail Liquor by the Drink) and SBD (Sunday by the Drink).
Budget review and discussion continued for the 2025 budget.
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The Atchison County Commission met for a special session Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, and Susette Taylor, Clerk 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.
The commission took up the following action:
Debbie True submitted her resignation to the Atchison County Commission on August 22, 2024, effective December 31, 2024. Tasha Zach, Chief Deputy in the Atchison County Clerk’s office, was the only person to submit her name to the governor’s office for consideration and the window of application for the appointment has now closed. According to RSMo 105.030, it is the duty of the commission to fill the vacancy by appointment.
The commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Tasha L. Zach, who is duly qualified and bonded, to enter upon the discharge of duties as Atchison County Treasurer under the appointment to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Debbie True. Tasha shall continue in office until the governor fills the vacancy by appointment under subsection 1 of this section or until the vacancy is filled by operation of another provision of law.
Clerk Taylor presented information provided by Sara Isenhour, Chief Operating Officer with the HIC Agency, Inc., regarding information that must be included in the county’s summary plan document for health care as follows: Auxiant is working to draft the county’s summary plan document and they have come across a Missouri statute that the county can either choose to adopt or decline based on our non-ERISA status as a municipality. The details of this option can be found below.
In essence, if adopted, this would allow for the spouse/children of a deceased plan member who is over the age of 55 at the time of death to continue COBRA coverage after the standard 36-month federal COBRA period.
This would also allow for legally separated/divorced dependent to a continuation of coverage after the 36-month COBRA period has expired.
The statute makes no mention of the length of time they must be allowed continuation for.
As the county’s consultants, HIC advised against adopting this provision into the county’s plan document for three reasons, the first being the incredible unlikeliness of this situation presenting itself. The second reason is that if it were to ever happen the county would be responsible for any and all claims that person may have up to your specific deductible, for an undisclosed amount of time. And finally, they feel that the 36-month COBRA period is an ample amount of time to secure other medical insurance whether that be through another employer sponsored plan or through the individual marketplace.
After review, the commissioners voted not to adopt the above listed provision and decline submitting the language in the Atchison County summary document.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned to the courtroom for the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected officials.
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The Atchison County Commission met Thursday, January 2, 2025. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, and Susette Taylor, Clerk 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.
Clerk Taylor reported that the 2025 budget was complete and ready for review. The commission reviewed the final year-end numbers and adjusted final budget numbers. Clerk Taylor will finalize the final details and provide all related documents for the final budget hearing to be held January 9 at 9:00 a.m.
Newly-appointed Treasurer Tasha Zach met with the commission and Clerk Taylor for the signing of the new account agreements with Citizens Bank & Trust.
Clerk Taylor discussed the possible need to amend the Atchison County Employee Handbook. Section 4-7 Residence Requirements currently read as follows:
All applicants for employment in the county service must have a principal place of domicile located within the corporate boundaries of the county or obtain such within six months following appointment, unless exempted by the County Commission.
An extension of the six month time limit established herein may be granted in unusual cases by the County Commission.
Although it is the desire of the Commission to have all county employees reside in the county it is becoming increasingly harder to find qualified applicants that meet this requirement.
After discussion, the commissioners voted unanimously to amend Section 4-7 to read as follows:
All applicants for employment in the county service must have a principal place of domicile located within the corporate boundaries of the county unless exempted by the County Commission.
