CHARLESTON -- Mississippi County's Web site will get a facelift.
At Thursday's regular commission meeting, County Clerk Junior DeLay asked for a reconstruction of the site.
"It's just sort of outdated," DeLay said of the site, www.misscomo.net. It has been at least six years since the site was developed, he estimated.
Emily Pullen, a county employee, has the necessary expertise and has requested $1,000 for the job -- the same previously paid for its development, DeLay said. Pullen would work from home and also perform monthly maintenance for $25 a month.
In other business Thursday, the commission received notice that it has been approved for a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation's State Aviation Trust Fund program for the upgrade of the Mississippi County Airport Layout Plan.
DeLay informed commissioners that the county has complied with the statutory requirements in soliciting qualifications for professional services, and Jim Blumenberg, presiding commissioner, executed the Certificate of Compliance on behalf of the county.
It was approved to utilize Smith and Company as the county's consultant for the Airport Layout Plan project.
Another grant commissioners were told was approved is the USDA Rural Development Grant. More information is forthcoming, but funds will be used for the purchase of three new vehicles.
Commission members discussed the city of Charleston's proposal for the upgrade of Ditch 14. Officials have proposed obtaining a preliminary engineering study for the project to obtain cost estimates. Smith and Company has provided a cost of $5,400 to conduct the study, and city officials asked the county to fund half the study. The city, however, would fund the entire cost of the project, should funding be secured, with the county agreeing to maintain the ditch upon project completion.
The commission approved the lone bid submitted for the purchase and installation of audio-visual equipment for the circuit courtroom to Hi-Tech Communications.
"The equipment will eventually pay for itself due to the cost savings that will be realized," DeLay said. The equipment will eliminate the need and expense of having the prosecuting attorney needing to enlarge photographs for jury trials, as well as provide a general technological update for the courtroom and accommodate other needs, he explained. It can be expanded to include video arraignments, a feature the court system is interested in pursuing, he added.
DeLay reported that his office will attend the Annual County Clerks' Conference next week. At his request, commissioners voted to cancel Thursday's regular meeting.