The Saline County Commissioners met on Tuesday, June 5, to hear about land abandoned by the county in Sweet Springs area and back taxes for a property in Miami.

Edward McInteer, representing William and Margie Treece, and also sitting in on the meeting for the attorney who represents Don Johnson and Harry Johnson, gave the commission an update on a lawsuit about a piece of property of less than an acre, located near Sweet Springs.

McInteer said he was never able to locate the original owner of the Sweet Springs acreage. The lawsuit has ended up in Circuit Court and the dispute resides as to who owns it since the county has abandoned the piece that was once part of County Road 320.

McInteer said the road has been "closed in excess of 50 years."

Missouri Statute 228.190 allows the judge to divide the land between the prospective owners as long as the county vacates and abandons the piece of land. The statute defines "abandonment" as property not being used for a period of five years or more.

Missouri Statute 228.190 also says that if the county receives County Aid Road Trust (CART) funds for the property, then a public hearing must take place. CART funds are apportioned to counties by MoDOT.

The county does not receive CART funds for the piece; therefore, the public hearing is not needed, McInteer said.

McInteer asked the commission to prepare an order acknowledging the litigation is occurring, that the piece is abandoned and vacated, and the judge's decision is final.

Northern District Commissioner Norvelle Brown made a motion "to follow the judge's decision and vacate, since we have no known interests."

Southern District Commissioner Dick Hassler approved it and said that when he contacted MoDOT about this matter "they really did not have any knowledge that a road was there."

Todd Lewis sent a letter to the commissioners about a property in Miami that has back taxes of $280.60, which includes fees and penalties. Walter Malan is interested in purchasing the property because it sits between two properties owned by him. The county commission agreed to allow Lewis to sell the property for a minimum of $280.60.

In other business, the commission awarded John Rector Motors the bid for a 2004 Ford F250, crew cab, four-wheel-drive, super duty, diesel pickup at Justin Coward's, superintendent of Saline County Highway Department, request. The bid price was $23,991.

After reconvening, the commissioners approved a commission order to transfer $13,566.74 to the county employee retirement trustee (CERT) fund.

The commissioners also approved several liquor license renewals including City Pharmacy of Slater, VFW Post 2646 in Marshall, and Breaktimes in Marshall, Slater and Sweet Springs.

On Wednesday, June 6, the Saline County Commission also approved liquor licenses for The Cheese Store in Sweet Springs and Waggin Wheel in Malta Bend.

Contact Rachel Harper at

marshallcity@socket.net