Gene Auten Resigns as Economic Developer, Emergency Management

Gene Auten has turned in his resignation as Economic Developer and Emergency Management Director for Worth County. He announced his resignation at the December 29th Worth County Commissioner’s Meeting. The Worth County Progress Organization will search for a replacement as soon as possible.

An accident involved two of the country vehicles, which was working on a tube on 180th Road Friday. A truck and trailer driven by Dustin Rowen came over a hill and didn’t get stopped in time. There were no signs warning motorists of the work. There were no injuries; two of the country vehicles that were in the road were damaged.

The county ordered a new bridge for Rabbit Patch, on Road 257 (Timber Trail) in The Nation near Allendale. The project is being paid for by a CDBG Grant.

Work on the budget proceeded for the 2020 fiscal year. The county got $12,000 in reimbursement for prisoners from the state out of the woodworks.

With the heavy snowfall last winter, the county incurred unusual expenses in their Emergency Rock fund, spending $19,000 last year. Normally, they spend around $5,000. Sales tax revenue was forecast to drop, while the cost of gravel was forecast to increase.

Bids were let out for rock hauling for this year. They will be opened on January 13th and awarded January 27th.

Kelli Morris from Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation came to update the county on her organization’s work helping people start businesses in Worth County and the rest of the region.
The county voted to give a 3% Cost of Living raise for all county employees for this year.