VIENNA — County purchases will soon require pre-approval from the Maries County Commission, starting Sept. 1, according to a July 30 public service announcement from Clerk Rhonda Rodgers.

Under the current policy, departments make purchases using the honor system, officials rely heavily on employees’ abilities to determine needs, not wants, which Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman believes mostly worked well. But in September, departments will need a purchase order.

Rodney Southard, eastern district commissioner, said that if a department needs to make a purchase a month out, officials can let the commissioners know a month ahead time to see if they can make it work.

Rodgers said this new system will help the county be more diligent in its finances.

“We have no money,” she said. “Once somebody has ordered something and received it, you don’t have a choice but to pay for it.”

However, the commissioners recognize that there will be emergencies. For example, Southard said that the road crew must work weekends and nights. If a dump truck breaks down and needs to be towed, the crew can’t obtain approval ahead of time.

“Can’t plan everything,” Southard said.

Comp Time

In other business, Rodgers told the commissioners that the county was paying dispatchers all compensatory time accrued before July 1, as part of the dispatch center’s transition to Maries County Emergency Services Board.

“That way we don’t have to worry about it or running out of money,” Rodgers said.

Southard made a motion to approve the payout, and Stratman seconded it. However, no final vote was made. Patrick Kleffner, western district commissioner, was not present at the meeting.

Schindler Elevators

Schindler Elevator Corporation sent the county a bill for $4,600.35 and another for $4,855.70 for servicing the courthouse elevator. One bill is from February 2025 until January 2026, and the other for February 2026 until January 2027.

However, the county did not renew the contract with Schindler after replacing the elevator in February 2025. Stratman said the county has called the company and sent letters about the cancellation. The commissioners discussed having Prosecuting Attorney Anthony (Tony) Skouby writing a letter.

“Maybe if we get a lawyer to write a letter, they’ll pay attention,” he said.