Renovations: Repairs or replacements?

BENTON - Are renovations to the Scott County courthouse repairs or replacements? The answer to that question will determine whether county commissioners violated the Missouri Prevailing Wage Law or not.

Commissioners met during Tuesday's county commission meeting with Elaine Welch, wage and hour investigator for the Administration and Wage and Hour Division of Labor Standards from the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, regarding the possible violation.

County officials say they believe the work in question falls under the repair category which is exempt from the prevailing wage requirement.

Welch said her investigation is routine but required due to a complaint that was filed, according to Presiding Commissioner Martin Priggel. Welch's department will now look over the details in Jefferson City and determine whether the contract involved repairs or replacement.

Particulars of the complaint will be open record once a decision has been issued, Priggel said.

In other Scott County Commission business:

* Lisa Barnes from the House of Refuge and Dana Branch from the Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation submitted their applications for state Emergency Shelter Grant funds which pass through the county.

* "We had a lot of calls about water this morning," said Commissioner Jamie Burger of Tuesday's meeting.

County officials hope to see county highways 416 and 432 reopened today after being closed due to failing culverts after Sunday's hard rain. Burger said officials had aimed for finishing the culvert replacements by the end of Tuesday's workday.

"The continuous rain and high water is taking its toll on our roads, culverts, budget and people," said Burger. He noted that over 40 culverts have been replaced since Jan. 1.

* The county will assist Commerce with their sandbagging efforts by hauling 12-15 tons of sand for them.