October 29, St. At the Francois County Commission meeting, County Road and Bridge Supervisor Clay Copeland announced that work has begun on the long-awaited Berry Bridge project north of Bonne Terre.

The demolition of the previous unsafe bridge over the Big River at Berry Road caused school buses and residents’ traffic to cross US 67 to reach their designated destinations and complete their routes. “They do excavation, tree clearing and all the preliminary work.” “We hope to have the bridge project completed by mid- or late-July” of 2025, Copeland said. “The Sand Creek bridge floor is falling apart today.”

County Clerk Kevin Engler said early voting is ongoing on Weber Rd. facility. Working hours on weekdays are 8-6. The official urged voters to familiarize themselves with the amendments and propositions before voting, noting that reading the amendments for the first time would take significant time and cause lines at the polls. Engler expects a 75-80% turnout in the election, but believes about 1/3 of the public will vote before November 5th, based on early voting. A photo ID is required to vote in Missouri.

County Park Superintendent Mike Sumpter confirmed that Owl Creek Park will hold its grand opening on Monday, November 4 at 11 a.m. The park is currently open to hikers daily from dawn to dusk.

Commission Chairman Harold Gallaher returns from medical leave and chaired the meeting.

County Treasurer Parks Peterson briefed the Commission on the county’s current pre-reserved mailings. “Our machines will be obsolete by the end of the year. We now use Pitner-Bowles. We estimate the machines will cost around $20,000 each. In 2015, they were about $10,000 each. We have to handle everything with them.” He continued: “A few reasons to go to PreSort. PreSort already has pickup at our location. They now work at the collector’s office and also down the street from the circuit clerk’s office. They do all our mail pickup as it is now.” He concluded: “I think this is the best for this region. “This will save the district the most money.” He also recommended that the Pitney-Bowles machines be placed in the Purple Wage for auction. The commission approved the proposal.

The Sheriff’s Department recommended destroying 6 old vehicles. Fleet manager Buck Copeland told the Commission: “We got all the parts we could use, so they have to go. “They have 250,000 miles ahead of them.” The commission approved the proposal.

The Sheriff’s Department has been given permission to hire 5 new deputy sheriffs. Funding for this will come from Prop P. The campaign to pass Prop P promised to add 10 new lawmakers. With the addition of these 5 new deputies, a total of 10 deputies will be reached. The commission approved the hiring.

Permission was granted for the Marine Corps Toys 4 Tots Collection Box to be placed in the Courthouse Annex.

Destruction of 2019 paid tax receipts, copies, waivers, address changes, escrow lists and collection agency records was allowed. It was explained that at the end of this period (5 years), office cleaning became routine.

St. The next meeting of the Francois County Commission is scheduled for November 12. There will be no meeting next week due to the general elections. The deadline for adding information to the agenda of the next meeting will be Friday, November 8.

Commission meetings are held on the 3rd day in the Courthouse Annex Building.^third It is open to the public from 10 a.m. on Tuesday in the Commission meeting room on the floor.