OSAGE COUNTY — Commissioners agreed last week that it was time to move forward on purchasing a new whipper tractor, citing both long delivery times and mounting complaints from residents about overgrown brush.

Eastern District Commissioner Jeff Peters reported three bids under consideration: $213,000 for a John Deere, $211,000 for a Case International, and roughly $175,000 for a New Holland from Rosebud Equipment, though that lower figure did not include window protection. He reminded the other commissioners it would take six to eight months for delivery, meaning an order placed this fall would not arrive until well into 2026.

Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin and Western District Commissioner Dale Logan agreed the equipment is overdue. Logan noted that two of the county’s current whipper tractors are nearing the end of their serviceable life, with one logging nearly 10,000 hours. Griffin suggested specifying dual hydraulic remotes on any new unit, explaining that it would give the tractor greater flexibility in the field and add resale value when the county eventually trades it in.

Commissioners voted unanimously to purchase a New Holland TS6 120 whipper tractor from Tractor Development for $173,750. The cost will be paid from the Prop R Road & Bridge fund, with delivery expected in roughly six to eight months.

• Interim County Clerk Brooke Dudenhoeffer used the Sept. 25 session to push back on comments made earlier in the week about her office. She said she felt commissioners had left a misleading impression when discussing both the Salary Commission minutes and her office’s closure for training.

“It was ... commented that I had not taken notes, or it was unclear if I had taken notes or not. I want to clear that error and let you know I did take my notes,” Dudenhoeffer said. “However, I requested the recording once again for verification purposes to make sure I got the verbiage correct.”

She also addressed complaints that her office had not been staffed due to a recent conference.

“Also, in your guys’ regular meeting, Dale had expressed dissatisfaction or disappointment with my reply to the email that was sent, terminating Assured Partners and hiring Higginbotham. He was disappointed or thought it was disrespectful. I apologize that you feel like that was disrespectful,” she said, while stressing that she had not intended it that way.

“However, within your guys’ conversation, (it was) stated that, ‘Well, if Brooke’s office would have been open, we could have let them know.’”

Dudenhoeffer went on to remind the commissioners she had both notified them and other elected officials during their Sept. 9 department update, and posted notice of the closure outside her office.

“It was also commented in within your guys’ conversation that we were not even here that Tuesday,” she went on. “According to my security cameras, Juanita came in the office at 7:30, Jordan at 7:58, and me at 8:05. I left at 10:51, because I still had to pack and I had to get things ready for our conference. Jordan and Juanita left the office at 12:05, meaning they were here the entire time.”

“So, then that was on you then,” Peters said. “Because you came in on Tuesday morning, early before the meeting, at like 8:05 and said, ‘I’m leaving immediately. The other girls aren’t even in today. They’re already on their way down.’”

Dudenhoeffer disputed that, and she and Peters agreed there might have been a miscommunication.

“I don’t think there was any ill will intended,” Logan said.

Peters agreed, describing the incident as the product of “a miscommunication” about departure times.

• Commissioners also discussed their recent decision to purchase a piece of land on a former MoDOT right-of-way. Griffin reported that MoDOT had offered the county a three-and-a-half-acre tract on Hwy. 100. The land includes utilities and road access.

“We have no room,” Peters said. “That would be a perfect place, right there.”

Griffin noted the site could be used immediately for equipment parking and later house a storage building.

• Sheriff Michael Bonham reported that inmates from Owensville, Gasconade County, and Cole County were helping offset revenue lost during the jail’s earlier closure. He said Cole County was keeping “between five and 10” inmates in Osage at all times.

• Bonham also warned that Homeland Security regional grants had been cut from $1.1 million in prior years to $320,000 this year, which would likely affect his office’s budget.

• The Salary Commission meeting was held, to determine whether elected officials would get a raise during the next term for their office. That meeting is covered in a separate article.

ROAD & BRIDGE

Road & Bridge Foreman Justin Bridges focused on equipment breakdowns during his report. He said Tractor 43 had a back window shattered during mowing and, after repairs, mechanics discovered badly frayed hoses “about to bust.” Within days of returning to service, the operator noticed abnormal motion, and a crack was found “in the frame that attaches the mower to the tractor.”

The department’s aging whippers was a recurring theme. Bridges said one tractor had “almost 10,000 hours” and that breakdowns typically occurred in the boom mower rather than the tractor itself. Commissioners discussed whether to overhaul a tractor while replacing a mower. Griffin asked if an overhaul could be done for “about $15,000.” Bridges said that figure was possible depending on what inspections revealed. He also suggested re-purposing a tractor with a batwing bush hog, since it only logged 200–250 hours a year.

• Logan requested that Road & Bridge prioritize grading on CR 503, which he described as “a mess” during harvest. Bridges said work could be scheduled within a week.

• Bridges raised the issue of creek rock. He said he had obtained a copy of a statute allowing counties to collect rock without permits, but Peters advised the commissioners would discuss it with Floodplain Administrator Andi Rice before making any decisions.

• Creek rock was hauled on CR 711 (240 tons), 731 (128 tons), 732 (48 tons), 733 (304 tons), 741 (96 tons), and 742 (80 tons); quarry rock on CR 521 (103.84 tons); road work was done on CRs 521, 711, 731, 733, and 742; brush mowers were working on CRs 512, 610, and 611; and grader operators were active as follows: G02 (CRs 726, 734), G03 (CRs 300, 303, 317, 319, 605, 621), G04 (CRs 610, 611, 612, 613B), and G05 (CRs 411, 415, 417, 608).

• Whipper W43 (2007 John Deere 6615 w/Alamo Machete Mower) was serviced both in and out of house. Dump Truck DT56 (2025 International HV507) was serviced out of house.

• Contact was received from citizens regarding culvert installation on CR 211, tree disposal on private property at intersection of CRs 303 and 306, general concerns from mail carrier, and rock complaints on CR 711.

• Compliments were received about grading done on CRs 317 and 411.

911/Emergency Management

911/EMA Director Ron Hoffman delivered an extensive report, highlighting a week of emergency drills, audits, and storm response.

He began with the graded nuclear drill, which commissioners also attended. Evaluators, he said, were “happy with everything.” Crews demonstrated a route alert with Linn Fire, completing the run in 41 minutes — under the 45-minute requirement. Volunteers also tested the ham radio link to the 911 center, something evaluators said “nobody’s ever tested.”

• Hoffman also attended the SEMA plume-phase exercise, where Osage had 11 houses in the buffer zone. By calling residents directly, he was able to control access and set four roadblocks, including one on the levee. FEMA evaluators praised the county for staying after the drill to capture lessons learned.

• He then described the Bagnell Dam drill, which models a surge from a dam failure. He told commissioners the wave would take about 11½ hours to travel 78 miles to the U.S. 50/63 area.

• Hoffman also reported a CJIS audit of law enforcement records found only three minor errors, earning “flying colors.”

• The CAD system is about 40 percent complete, with go-live targeted for December.

• The new outdoor warning siren is finally scheduled for installation in Rich Fountain.

• Finally, Hoffman asked commissioners to approve a vacation carry-over for dispatcher Cody Hoelscher, who faced losing days at his Oct. 10 anniversary. With two new hires still in training, Hoffman said the extra time was necessary. The commission voted unanimously to extend the deadline to Feb. 1.

FINANCIAL

• County Aid Road Trust (CART) distribution received from the state of Missouri for the month of September was $94,585.94, including Motor Fuel Tax ($75,285.44), Motor Vehicle Sales Tax ($14,094.57), and Motor Vehicle Fee Increases ($5,205.93).

• Time sheets were approved by commissioners.

• Checks were submitted for signatures.