Cole County commissioners approve routine contracts, surplus disbursement and GEMT representation letter; move to closed session

The Cole County Commission voted June 23 to approve a series of routine administrative items, including renewal of student insurance for EMT trainees, a sole-source battery-replacement contract for outdoor warning sirens and a tax-sale surplus disbursement, before moving into a closed session to discuss auditor communications.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a round of commissioner liaison announcements about community events. The session then moved into consent and contract items.

A county official identified in the record as the Chief described the student insurance renewal for EMT and first-responder clinical rotations, saying the county is "generally processing about 20 EMT students per class" and that the policy covers roughly 70 students. "Total cost for this year is $1,120, and that's for 70 students," the Chief said. A commissioner moved to renew the policy with NSO at that cost; the motion was seconded and the commission recorded verbal approval.

A staff member presented a sole-source proposal from Outdoor Warning Consulting LLC to replace 14 out-of-date batteries on outdoor warning sirens, noting the work would be reimbursable through a state grant. "This is to replace the outdoor warning siren batteries that are out of date. It's 14 in total," the staff member said, and gave a total cost of $12,670. The commission approved payment to Outdoor Warning Consulting LLC after a motion and second.

The commission also approved accounts payable pending review after a brief motion and vote.

During a discussion of a tax-sale surplus claim, a presenter described a claim related to a delinquent tax sale with an overage of "about $13,000," submitted by attorney Chris Parr on behalf of Sheldon Gentry Incorporated; attorney Ali Summit was also mentioned as representing the claim. The presenter said Parr provided an engagement letter that was mostly redacted and that staff had been unable to reach a possibly related corporate contact (referred to as Clayton Gentry). The commission voted to disburse the surplus to Sheldon Gentry Incorporated as requested.

In unfinished business, staff described an adjusted GEMT (Ground Emergency Medical Transport) cost report for FY25–26. The presenter said the audited adjustment lowered the county's fee-for-service amount because about 200 transports were moved into another category during the audit. The presenter stated the county would need to transfer $42,553.42 to Missouri GEMT and described an expected recoupment, but the exact recoupment figure was not clearly stated in the transcript. The commission approved and signed the FY25–26 GEMT representation letter.

Before adjourning into closed session, the Chair asked for a motion to go into closed session "pursuant to section 61.021, revised statutes of Missouri" to discuss communications between the public body and its auditor under subsection 18. After a motion and second, roll call votes were recorded: Sam, Gary and Jeff each answered "Yes," and the commission entered closed session.

What happens next: the minutes record that the listed motions were approved and that the commission convened in closed session to discuss auditor communications; no additional public actions or outcomes were recorded in the transcript portion provided.