Commissioners hear reports on county roads

Wednesday, June 10, 2009
By SYDNEY STONNER/Staff writer

Saline County road and bridge supervisor Justin Cowart reported on area road conditions at the Saline County Commission meeting Wednesday morning, June 10.

"We are out there working," he said. "We are hauling rock."

Cowart said a stretch of 150th Trail, between Highway YY and Gladiola Avenue, will be closed for repairs tomorrow and possibly Friday, June 12, weather permitting. He also mentioned that some culvert repairs have not been completed "to the full extent" because the county is waiting on FEMA to approve reimbursement funds.

Southern District Commissioner Richard "Dick" Hassler read bids received for a dump trailer. AT & S from Lincoln, Neb., bid $32,340 and Quincy Mack Sales and Service of Hannibal bid $30,090.

Commissioners opted to review the bids before making a final decision.

Northern District Commissioner Norvelle "Brownie" Brown reported on Slater and Marshall Chambers of Commerce events.

About Judge Mary R. Russell's presentation to the Slater chamber, Brown said, "It thought it was a very interesting meeting."

Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner was also present at the meeting. Commissioners will meet again Thursday morning, June 11, at 9 a.m. in the lower level of the courthouse.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net

Comments

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The 2008 assessed valuation for Saline County was about $253,000,000. According to the applicable Missouri statute, Saline County commissioners are therefore paid $28,380 per year. Until the assessed valuation of Saline County reaches $300,000,000 they will not get a pay raise. While there are many people who do not make that much money per year, that is not very much money for a job that is likely *more* than 40 hours per week.

I have absolutely no personal stake in defending anyone in elective office, but I am certain that the time commissioners (and other members of city and county government) spend at their office is only part of the time they spend "on the job." If they were paid for every hour they work, we might not get them so cheaply.

-- Posted by Kathy Fairchild on Thu, Jun 11, 2009, at 5:34 PM

That's why there needs to be a change!! If a vote of the people is what it takes, then let the people speak. I don't feel that our elected officials should be allowed to have a salary committee to raise the offices salary. Any tax increase is supposed to be voted on by the people, so let let the people vote on all elected officials salary. If the people feel the office holder is doing a great job, then the people will give them a deserved raise???

-- Posted by muddywater on Thu, Jun 11, 2009, at 12:00 AM

Commission salaries are based on assessed property valuation under section 49-082 of Missouri Revised statutes shown here:

www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C000-099/049000...

-- Posted by Kathy Fairchild on Wed, Jun 10, 2009, at 10:17 PM

An Amendment needs to be put on the next Ballot forcing a County Commissioner to be in the Commissions Office for 40 hours a week unless they are on documented County business elsewhere. Or Place it on the Ballot to be an hourly job and make the Commissioners punch a time clock.

Our Commissioners get paid a hefty sum to just work a few hours a week, while common hard working people in the community have to sometimes work two jobs just to make ends meet.

No one else in the Courthouse and County workers are not allowed to work partime and get paid for fulltime work!!

Commissioners pay should be based on hours worked, not yearly pay scales.....

-- Posted by muddywater on Wed, Jun 10, 2009, at 6:47 PM