Boone County COTW-Finance 5/14/2026

The Boone County Committee of the Whole Finance meeting held on May 14, 2026, focused extensively on procurement and budgetary matters related to county infrastructure and public services. Key procurement discussions included a successful cost-saving decision to switch from a design-build to a traditional bid process for the Stone Corey Graham Road culvert replacement project, resulting in approximately $380,000 in savings. The board also reviewed and approved a change order of $258,146 for auto operators at the new courthouse entrance to meet updated ADA requirements, despite some concerns about the timing and communication with the City of Belvadier. Additional procurement topics included upcoming bids for masonry restoration of the courthouse, PSB brick repair, and a $50,000 quote for McKinley waterline upgrades, with plans to integrate highway department support to reduce costs. The board approved a resolution supporting a Truck Access Route Program (TARP) grant application for road improvements, highlighting collaboration with local jurisdictions and federal funding to minimize county match requirements. The meeting also addressed health department fee adjustments, approving a phased increase in food-related fees and a 40% immediate increase in well and septic fees to address budget shortfalls, with an emphasis on balancing public impact and departmental sustainability. Public comments raised concerns about noise from rumble strips on Calonia Road, prompting engineering studies and plans to mitigate noise through additional paint layers. Overall, the meeting demonstrated active management of capital projects, vendor contracts, and fee structures to support Boone County's infrastructure and public health objectives.