Christian County commissioners review vehicle purchases, office moves and contribution to Show Me Christian County as budget work continues
August 19, 2025 | Christian County, Missouri
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Christian County commissioners used a work study on Aug. 19, 2025, to review items for the county budget, including replacing commission vehicles, potential office reconfigurations tied to a new in-house county attorney, and the county's annual contribution to the economic-development organization Show Me Christian County.
Commissioners discussed options for a commission vehicle that multiple elected officials and staff could use. Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris said the commission wanted a midsize SUV that balanced safety and economy and described concerns sending employees on road trips in older, unreliable cars. "I don't want something small that gets great gas mileage, but as soon as you have a wreck, you're dead," Morris said.
Staff told commissioners they had identified a used Chevrolet Tahoe with about 12,000 miles and were preparing bids from dealers and lease options; purchasing staff said dealer bids would be available the following day. Commissioners also discussed fleet leasing models others have used but noted auditor concerns and operational differences between counties.
Morris and other commissioners discussed reorganizing office space if the county hires a resident county attorney and a new legal assistant. Commissioners asked facilities staff to provide estimates for minor remodeling to convert existing break-room or storage space to private offices and to report back so remodeling could be included in next year's budget if needed.
On economic development, commissioners debated whether to increase the county's contribution to Show Me Christian County from the longstanding $50,000 annual amount. Commissioners asked the auditor to present alternative approaches, including calculating a contribution as a percentage of county sales tax collections (for example, 0.5 percent) so payment would scale with revenue. Commissioner Jackson said he supports the organization's work on economic recruitment but asked for justification for any increase.
Commissioners did not adopt final budget changes during the work study and instructed staff and the auditor to return with specific bid figures, cost estimates for office remodeling, and comparative contribution scenarios for Show Me Christian County so the commission can finalize budgets before the Sept. 1 filing deadline.
Ending: Commissioners directed purchasing, facilities and finance staff to provide bids and percentage-based projections for a formal budget decision; no appropriation votes occurred at the work study.
Commissioners discussed options for a commission vehicle that multiple elected officials and staff could use. Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris said the commission wanted a midsize SUV that balanced safety and economy and described concerns sending employees on road trips in older, unreliable cars. "I don't want something small that gets great gas mileage, but as soon as you have a wreck, you're dead," Morris said.
Staff told commissioners they had identified a used Chevrolet Tahoe with about 12,000 miles and were preparing bids from dealers and lease options; purchasing staff said dealer bids would be available the following day. Commissioners also discussed fleet leasing models others have used but noted auditor concerns and operational differences between counties.
Morris and other commissioners discussed reorganizing office space if the county hires a resident county attorney and a new legal assistant. Commissioners asked facilities staff to provide estimates for minor remodeling to convert existing break-room or storage space to private offices and to report back so remodeling could be included in next year's budget if needed.
On economic development, commissioners debated whether to increase the county's contribution to Show Me Christian County from the longstanding $50,000 annual amount. Commissioners asked the auditor to present alternative approaches, including calculating a contribution as a percentage of county sales tax collections (for example, 0.5 percent) so payment would scale with revenue. Commissioner Jackson said he supports the organization's work on economic recruitment but asked for justification for any increase.
Commissioners did not adopt final budget changes during the work study and instructed staff and the auditor to return with specific bid figures, cost estimates for office remodeling, and comparative contribution scenarios for Show Me Christian County so the commission can finalize budgets before the Sept. 1 filing deadline.
Ending: Commissioners directed purchasing, facilities and finance staff to provide bids and percentage-based projections for a formal budget decision; no appropriation votes occurred at the work study.
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