Franklin County commissioners have approved a fiscal year 2021 budget that includes a 3 percent cost-of-living pay increase for employees.
âTraditionally, financial planning and budgeting has recognized the importance of maintaining a competitive employee wage and benefits package for retention purposes,â Franklin County Auditor Angela Gibson wrote in her budget message. âThe recommendation of an increase in compensation is based on a careful analysis of the countyâs financial position and considers the stable situation in revenue and the reserve position in all funds with employee compensation budgets. The countyâs sound financial position reflects the quality, conscientiousness and efficiency of its employees.â
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson called it the worst bridge he saw on a statewide tour in 2019.Â
Now the Highway AD bridge between St. Clair and Union has been replaced, with the new span over Happy Sac Creek open to traffic.
The $1.4 million bridge project was completed in November, with the exception of some backfill and signs needing to be installed. Work started in January.
âThe project went well,â said Stephen OâConnor, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) area engineer for Franklin and Jefferson counties.
The old bridge was built in 1958, with 600 vehicles crossing it each day, according to MoDOT. It had been repaired several times over the years, including rebuilding its support columns and repairing most of the bridge deck, but it still was built on a curve with limited sight distance.
The Franklin County Government Center, Historic Courthouse, Judicial Center, and the Frnaklin County Health Department will be closed Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to a press release from Franklin County Clerk Tim Baker.Â
The buildings will also be closed Friday, January 1, in observance of New Years Holiday.Â
The Franklin County Sheriffâs Department will remain open through the holidays.Â
Franklin County Presiding Commissioner Tim Brinker said health department will likely not be releasing its daily COVID-19 reports on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.Â
Those wishing to pay their Franklin County property taxes can still submit their payments during the closure. Payments can be placed in the collectors green-colored drop box at the back of the County Government Center in Union. Receipts for payments placed in the drop box will be mailed to the taxpayers.