Christian County commissioners approve emergency wood-chipper repair, award Johnson Controls contracts and renew board appointments

Presiding commissioner Lamar opened the meeting and the commission approved an emergency procurement to repair a county highway wood chipper damaged in a recent storm.

Kim Campbell told commissioners the county spent $12,154.16 to repair the chipper — "which is a $154 over our threshold," she said — and that the vendor selected was Vermeer, out of Brookline. The county discussed repair costs (the drum alone was described as about $7,000–$8,000) versus buying a new unit (staff said comparable new models run on the order of $85,000). The commission approved the emergency procurement by voice vote.

The board also approved two separate Johnson Controls (JCI) service contracts for the new county campus at 479 North Government Plaza Circle. Campbell presented a monitoring contract she said would cost $850 per year for three years. Separately, commissioners approved a security and fire-protection services contract under the state procurement CC 232820010, which Campbell said would cost $1,582.58 per year and includes fire-alarm and sprinkler inspections, backflow checks, extinguisher service and emergency-light maintenance.

Commissioners ratified reappointments to the Christian County Links board for Greg Williams, Amanda Barnes Adams and Tiffany Eggleston after staff reported no new applicants and that incumbents wished to continue serving.

On federal service-area funds tied to the Mark Twain National Forest, the commission accepted staff and auditor recommendations for the county’s allocation of $73,023.91 and approved the same split used in 2023: 75% to schools and 25% to roads. The body noted the submission deadline of July 20.

During commission communications, Eastern commissioner Bradley Jackson summarized a recent Sertoma event in Ozark and a carnival that drew new demographics; Jackson said organizers expect higher charity donations this year. The presiding commissioner also encouraged departments to present second-quarter reports and noted the next issue of the Christian County Chronicle is scheduled for the first week of July.

Before moving into closed session, a commissioner moved to go into closed session under RSMO 610.021(2) (real estate) and RSMO 610.021(3) (personnel); the commission approved the motion by roll-call voice vote and left the public meeting.