Sheriff Darin Layman told the Crawford County Commissioners that there had been back-and-forth between the county jail administrators and Jackson County.

“They have a need for inmate housing because they’re doing some renovations, some remodeling, all at the same time, trying to prep for the World Cup that’s coming in June,” Layman said. “Long story short, they need bed space to move inmates, so we’ve come up with an intergovernmental inmate housing and transport agreement.”

There is no guaranteed amount of bed space, just as needed, at a $75 per day rate, and Jackson County is doing all the transports: the contract is severable at any time.

“It’s also a way for us to recoup some lost cause, some lost costs as well,” Layman said.

There are no unforeseen costs to Crawford County, and medical expenses will be billed back to Jackson County.

“All we’re basically doing is we’re housing, and that per-day should cover all of our costs and still put some money in our pockets,” Layman said.

Treasurer Karen Sikes presented an investment policy for Crawford County to the commissioners. 

“I looked at a lot of different ones and what the state has. Of course, we didn’t need one that meticulous, but this is one more, what Phelps County uses, so I thought it does well,” Sikes said. “That was part of our audit review. We really needed an investment policy in place, and there’s no changes. At the end of the year, we’ll just change the dates on it. We just need to keep one current at all times.”

The Crawford County investment policy was signed and approved with a 3-0 vote.

Sikes also presented a Raymond James statement. One bond matured on Feb. 1, with another about to mature on Feb. 27., leaving only two more to continue growing.

During citizen participation, the topic of the use tax came up again.

Presiding Commissioner Steve Black answered when Jax Jenson, local resident, asked if the commission planned to promote the use tax using printed cards like Phelps County did,

“We’re not supposed to promote it,” Black said.

“Educate, not pressure,” added Sheriff Darin Layman.

Black also mentioned that Franklin County decided to add a use tax to their ballot this year.

Associate Commissioner of District 1 Mark Pfeiffer said that they want people to spend locally whenever they can.

“Three local businesses in downtown Steelville have now closed, or are in the process of closing, or relocating out of Steelville and one out of the county,” Pfeiffer said. “So three stores out of the, I don’t even know what, six, maybe seven, mom-and-pop retail stores that we maybe have here in Steelville are closed. It’s gonna just be up to the voters...(the) end results gonna be what it is.”

Associate Commissioner of District 2 Jared Boast agreed and said it’s not about the commission, it’s about the community. Do it for the community.

“You’re doing it for the county. You’re doing it for your kids, and your grandkids and your way of life right here, and if you don’t believe in it, then that’s fine. All I can do is present the information,” Boast said.

In other business, County Clerk Kim Gibbs gave an update on the new ATV/UTV stickers.

“We’ve got our new stickers in, everybody seems to like them,” Gibbs said.

She mentioned that some local owners were asking if the event passes could be used like weekend passes.

In a unanimous decision, the commissioners decided to issue the event stickers like weekend passes until they can approve a written agreement on Feb. 17 at the next commissioners meeting.

There was also a slight change to the agenda since Danny Brown, Crawford County road consultant and bridge engineer, was scheduled to give a bridge report, but was unable to attend.