The Atchison County Commission met Thursday, August 7, 2025. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, 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.
Month-end reports were reviewed and approved.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood opened the public hearing at 8:30 a.m. to set the 2025 levy rates for Atchison County General Revenue, Atchison County Road and Bridge, Special Road and Bridge, SB-40, Senior Citizens Services, and Solid Waste Landfill. There were no citizens present for the hearing.
Atchison County Clerk Susette Taylor presented the rates. The commissioners unanimously approved the following state approved proposed levy rates:
• Atchison County General Revenue Fund, .4928
• Atchison County Road & Bridge Fund, .4928
• Atchison County Solid Waste Landfill, .0000. (This levy rate was set at .000 due to prior voluntary rollbacks. Again, this year, no additional revenue is needed to operate the landfill so the commissioners approved the continuation of the proposed rollback.)
• Atchison County Senate Bill 40, .0986
• Atchison County Senior Services, .0492.
• Atchison County Special Road and Bridge, .3500.
There were no further rates to be presented at the public hearing. The commissioners voted to close the public hearing and reopen the regular session.
Treasurer Tasha Zach was in to discuss interest rates and the county’s financial plan moving forward. The county’s current depository agreement was reviewed, and it was agreed that due to the language of the agreement all funds will remain with the current depository until the end of the contract, at which time it will be reviewed.
Due to the large number of opioid settlements being sent through that need immediate attention, the commission reviewed the following resolution to authorize Clerk Taylor to sign the applications as needed and reduce the need for a new resolution for each one.
COUNTY OF ATCHISON, MISSOURI
COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 004-2025
Now on the 7th day of August 2025, the Atchison County Commission discusses the matter of an order to immediately take advantage of recoveries to the county from any and all cases related to opioid awards to included class action counties:
A Resolution Authorizing The Application For Awards From The Opioid Cases Related To Any And All Opioid Settlement Decisions
Whereas, Atchison County supports commerce, safety, and the public health by maintaining order over all controls over opioid cases related to class actions in which Atchison County is determined to be an awardee; and
Whereas, Atchison County recognizes legitimate concerns raised by any and all opioid case class actions concerning opioid matters as to the County; and
Whereas, Atchison County desires to gain its part of a class action award; and
Whereas, local governments have historically been able to regulate controls over opioid impacts on the County; and
Whereas, the Atchison County Commission acts to control opioid matters and obtain class action awards from any and all opioid litigation.
Now therefore, be it ordained by the Atchison County Commission:
That the Atchison County Commission acting under the authority granted to counties to be involved in litigation and property and health protection does adopt and order implementation of this resolution; and that this resolution does ordain, adopt, and implement the following:
Section 1 – Purpose
Atchison County adopted this resolution designed to empower the County to obtain any awards that are due to the county from any and all opioid class action litigation, while protecting and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens.
Section 2 – Development of Application for Award
The County Commission directs and delegates the authority to Atchison County Clerk to make appropriate applications to obtain any and all awards available to Atchison County resulting from all opioid class action related to opioid issues of all kinds.
Section 3. Effective Date.
This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after 7th day of August 2025.
Passed and approved this 7th day of August 2025, by a vote of the Atchison County Commission meeting in a properly called meeting, a quorum being present as 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstentions, and 0 absent.
The commission authorized Clerk Taylor to post a request for bids to repave, seal and stripe the parking lot at Pleasant View Nursing Home.
Clerk Taylor reported to the commission that it is time to bid out the pasture ground adjacent to the landfill site along highway 136. A notice has been sent to the current tenants, and a bid notice was placed in Atchison County Mail. Bid opening will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 28.
The Commissioners, Clerk Taylor, Treasurer Tasha Zach, Sheriff Andy Riley and Administrative Assistant to the Sheriff Amy Fergusen, were all present for presentations from Goldberg Group and Samuels Group about the professional services they offer.
The meeting was then adjourned.
