Commission Meeting August 18, 2026

At the St. Francois County Commission meeting on August 18, 2026, commissioners opened one bid for heavy-duty equipment for Owl Creek Park. They did not award it at the meeting; county staff will review whether it meets the county’s needs and report back the following week, with a special meeting possible because the purchase is time-sensitive for ARPA funds. Commissioners also approved an agreement concerning the Mineral Area Drug Task Force JAG program: because grant funding is insufficient, two team members will lose the grant-funded pay increase—about $3 per hour—effective September 5.

The commission discussed the county’s health-insurance procurement. A broker RFP had not been awarded, while competitive insurance bids are due September 1; participants discussed the state competitive-bidding requirement and whether the proposed September 1 effective date could be moved to October 1. Highway staff reported that MPL pipeline contractors are expected to begin paving road damage the following week, noted salt costs of about $110 per ton and a $2,300 truck repair, and said the county will learn in December whether funding is available for a seven-arch bridge replacement. The county is also beginning its 2027 highway budget planning.