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Friday, June 26, 2020
REPUBLICAN-TIMES TRENTON
Trenton, MO 64683
75¢
per copy Check out the Republican-Times on the Internet: www.republican-times.com ©W.B. Rogers Printing Co., Inc.
Ten Pages & 1 Insert
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 156th Year - No. 85
NORTH CENTRAL MISSOURI COLLEGE
CITY OF TRENTON Appointments Made
Will Seek RFP For IT Upgrade
Trustees OK Balanced Budget With the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc on colleges and universities of all sizes, trustees at North Central Missouri College approved a balanced 2020-21 budget and noted a healthy fund balance during a meeting on Tuesday. Total budgeted revenues and expenditures are listed at $12,467,871, not including a $61,608 note payment on the Barton Farm Campus, which is paid from designated cash reserves and is not included in the operational budget. One the revenue side, tuition and fees are listed at $7,372,321, a figure that is based on slightly lower enrollment due to credit hour production. That amount is $88,621 more than the previous year due to increases in tuition rates and fees approved earlier by the board as well as the addition of credit hours required for the practical nursing program. The increase in the PN credit hours will add an estimated $55,498 to the tuition revenue over last year. Although most of the tuition categories are expected to decrease in revenue, the college is expecting to see a hefty in-
crease ($151,870) in revenue for online tuition during the 2020-21 school year. State appropriations are estimated at $2,295,000 while local tax revenue is projected at $353,500. Other income will add $385,500 to a total of $10,406,321 in total operating revenue. Another $2,061,550 from the auxiliary operations fund brings the total to $12,467,871. Expenditures include $5,396,057 in salaries with another $1,594,466 in fringe benefits. No across-the-board salary increases are planned this year. The budget does include $36,184 in increased costs for employee health insurance. “Other operating expenses” are projected at $3,415,798, bringing the total operating expenses to $10,406,321. Auxiliary operations expenses are projected as the same as the revenue in that category, $2,061,550, for a total of $12,467,871. Vice President of Business and Finance Tyson Otto said there “is a good deal of uncertainty” with the budget this year and told trustees that while there is not a hiring freeze, officials will
Council Approves Engineer Work Orders
C ARES Actt Fu unding Fo or Students North Central Missouri College has been directly distributing Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding to eligible students as well as providing services to help students adapt to the changes revolving around COVID-19. Thus far, NCMC has distributed $133,860 to 281 students in federal emergency financial aid grants directly to qualifying students through the CARES Act and tis still accepting student applications for funding distribution. Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Kristen Alley said the college has over $450,000 to distribute and encourages students to apply for the funding. To qualify, students must have taken at least one on-ground course during the Spring 2020 semester and be from the U.S. or an eligible noncitizen. Information on eligibility and how to apply is available to students at the website, https://www.ncmissouri.edu/studentlife/ncmc-cares-grantfaqs/. The deadline for Spring 2020 students to apply is Aug. 1. Additional information is available at www.ncmissouri.edu or by contacting the financial aid department at 660-359-3948, ext. 1513. NCMC also received CARES Act money to help the college in COVID19 preparations. The college has provided a free virtual class on how to take courses online as well as purchased shielding, masks and cleaning supplies. These, in addition to other efforts, will be in place to provide returning and new students, faculty and staff a safe learning environment for the Fall 2020 semester and beyond.
be taking a close look at each position that comes open to determine if it is really needed or if it is a good time for that hire, something he said they have
pair a bridge approach and back wall. In other business, the commission met with Shawn Murphy of the University of Missouri Extension, who provided information on funding and programming as well as reviewed services available. Shannon Howe of Howe Company, an engineering firm, met with the commission to discuss
The Trenton City Council took action on several items, including ordinances and committee appointments, during a meeting on Monday night. On a vote of 8-0, the council approved two ordinances involving Howe Company LLC, which is providing engineering services to the city on two projects. The first ordinance approves a work order for installation of a six-inch water main to supply potable water to the wastewater plant. The order outlines a scope of services to be provided, including development of a feasibility study, design services, bidding services and construction contract administration. The cost is $33,000. The second ordinance approves a work order to extend water and sewer extension services beyond Hoover Drive at a cost not to exceed $12,000. The project would allow for development of property in that area recently purchased by Kipp and Cara McClellan, who would reimburse the city for the cost of the engineering work. A third ordinance was approved on a vote of 7-1, prohibiting parking on a portion of Mariner Road from Lake Trenton Drive to 350 feet south of that intersection. Glen Briggs voted no. The council voted to add two members of the public to the city utility committee, which is currently made up of the three city council members who serve as chairmen of the economic development, finance and administrative committees. Third ward councilwoman Cathie Smith said she felt having members of the public on the committee would bring a different perspective to discussions regarding utility projects as well as provide public input when decisions on rates are being made. It was suggested the terms be for four years, with the members to be appointed by the mayor with approval of the council. City Attorney Tara Walker will bring an ordinance amendment to the council for consideration at its July 13 meeting. The council voted to accept a proposal from SunbeltSolomon Solutions to replace an electric transformer at the south substation. The transformer cost was listed at $299,995 while installation was listed at $57,670. The project had been budgeted at $450,000. Discussion was held regarding a draft lease agreement with Jason Bickel, who wants to lease land at the airport and build a new hangar
See County, Page 5
See Council, Page 5
already been doing. He told trustees that cash reserves are healthy and will See NCMC, Page 6
Briefs... Tri-County Bo oarrd To Meett The Tri-County R-7 Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30 in the school library in Jamesport. Items on the announced agenda include approval of bills to close out the 2019-20 school year, approval of fund transfers, approval of the 2020-21 budget and discussion of COVID-19 planning for the 2020-21 school year.
COVID--19 Upd date There are now six active cases of COVID-19 in Grundy County, with one new case reported on Wednesday. The new case brings the total number of cases occurring in the county to 18. Eight of those cases have been reported since Monday, June 15. The first two county cases were reported on May 21. Livingston County and Linn County have also reported an increase of their positive cases. Livingston County reports 10 total cases with five remaining under observation while four are recovered and one has been released from observation. Linn County has 18 cases reported with seven in isolation, eight recovered, two anti-body positive cases and one death. Other area county totals include Sulllivan County, 106 (29 active); Harrison County, 13; Carroll County, 11; Caldwell County, 9; Daviess County, 7; Mercer County, 4; and Putnam County, 2 (both are recovered).
GC CNHD Board OKs Budge et The Grundy County Nursing Home District Board of Directors, which oversees operations of Sunnyview Nursing Home and Apartments, approved a budget during a board meeting on Tuesday, June 16. According to information provided by Administrator Jerry Doerhoff, the 2020-21 budget shows revenues anticipated at $5,390,019 while expenditures are estimated at $5,346,607. The revenues include a $5 per day increase in private and semi-private rooms on the nursing home side. There is no increase anticipated for apartment rates. The budget goes into effect on July 1. A presentation was made by Malicoat-Winslow regarding the facility energy project, with proposals to be ready for consideration by the board at the July meeting. Approval was given for asphalting the back parking lot and board members heard a report on various activities held during the month. It was noted that activities are being done on each station to accommodate CDC guidelines for social distancing. A drive-by parade is being planned in July to allow residents to see family members. An executive session was held to approve the February closed meeting minutes. The next meeting will be held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, with the location to be determined based on pandemic restrictions. ********** SATURDAY, JUNE 27 Grundy R-5 Fifth & Sixth Grade Graduation, 10 a.m. Grundy R-5 High School Graduation, 2 p.m. Junior/Senior High Gym at Galt
R-T Photo/Seth Herrold
Dismantling of the 17th Street Bridge got under way this week as crews get ready to replace the 90-year-old bridge with a more modern structure. Boone Construction of Columbia is doing the work, which is anticipated to be completed in early December. The project is a joint effort of the City of Trenton, the Union Pacific Railroad and the Missouri Department of Transportation.
GRUNDY COUNTY COMMISSION
Task Force Discusses Funding Distribution Funding through the CARES Act was a topic of discussion during a Tuesday meeting of the Grundy County Commission. According to information provided by Presiding Commissioner Phil Ray, the commission met with the CARES Act Task Force and superintendents from school districts in Grundy County, discussing the funding application, record-keeping requirements
National Weather Service
You can expect temperatures in the mid to upper 80s for the next several days with partly sunny skies and a chance of rain each day. Lows will be in the low 70s. The high at Trenton on Monday, June 22 was 81 with .07 of an inch of rain. Tuesday’s high was 79 and Wednesday’s high was 84, with a low of 60. The high on Wednesday at the Government Weather Station near Spickard was 80, the low was 56.
Bridge Projects Under Way
and the distribution structure. Qualifying needs were also discussed with references to the U.S. Treasury “Frequently Asked Questions” and the state treasurer website. Ray said the county road and bridge crew was working on the approach of a bridge on Northwest 102nd Street in Taylor Township. That work was to be completed on Tuesday with the crew then moving to Southeast 12th Street to re-
What’s Inside... Major League Baseball is back and R-T Sports Editor Seth Herrold has mixed feelings about the decision. See page 2 of today’s Republican-Times for his view about the agreement to play the game in 2020.
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Sports.............................page 2 Ag Page..........................page 3 Local News.............page 3 & 5 Opinion/Editorial .........page 4 Calendars ......................page 5 Comics ...........................page 6 Crosswords....................page 7 Dear Annie ....................page 7 NASCAR .......................page 9