News Archive

2023 Featured Five

Two of our cities, Cole Camp and Lincoln, are in the running to be showcased in Missouri's Featured Five communites!

See more here.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 6-10

Next week is severe weather preparedness week for both Kansas and Missouri. You can find the daily themes and other preparedness information on this website:

https://www.weather.gov/eax/2023SevereWeatherPreparednessWeek

Proclamation: Economic Development Week

May 9 - May 13, 2022

Whereas, the Internal Economic Development Council is the largest professional economic development organization dedicated to serving economic developers, and

Whereas, the International Economic Development Council provides leadership and excellence in economic development for communities, members, and partners through conferences, training courses, advisory services and research, in-depth publications, public policy advocacy, and initiatives such as the Accredited Economic Development Organization program, the certified Economic Developer designation, and the Entrepreneurship Development Professional, and

Whereas, economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base, and

Whereas, economic developers stimulate and incubate entrepreneurism in order to help establish the next generation of new businesses, which is the hallmark of the American economy, and

Whereas, economic developers are engaged in a wide variety of settings including rural and urban, local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions, and

Whereas, economic developers attract and retain high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions, and

Whereas, economic developers work in the County of Benton within the State of Missouri

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the County of Benton recognizes the week of May 9 through May 13, 2022, as Economic Development Week, and remind individuals of the importance of this community celebration which supports expanding career opportunities and making lives better.

 Notice Regarding County Use Tax

9.13.2021: Benton County, Missouri previously adopted a use tax, which became effective October 1, 2006, and is currently in effect. A use tax is the equivalent of a sales tax on purchases made from out-of-state vendors by in-state buyers and on certain taxable business transactions. The use tax rate for Benton County is currently one and three eights percent (.01375), which is equal to the total local sales tax rate. Certain purchases from out-of-state vendors will be come subject to an expansion of the use tax effective on January 1, 2023, as provided by state law.

If any local sales tax is repealed or the rate is reduced or raised by voter approval, the local use tax rate shall also be deemed to be repealed, reduced, or raised by the same action.

I, Susan Porterfield, County Clerk for Benton County, Missouri, do hereby certify that the foregoing is correct, to the best of my knowledge and belief. Dated this 13th day of September, 2021.

Kaysinger Speed Test Initiative

What is your internet speed?

Your help and just 60 seconds of your time is needed. Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission is working in cooperation with the counties of Benton, Cedar, Hickory, St Clair, and Vernon on a new study to map internet speeds across the region. We need more results from the rural Benton County areas. We understand this importance and are working together to conduct a broadband speed test. The results of this speed test will be used to help correct our current FCC rating, which could provide an opportunity for this gap to be filled.

High-speed internet access is lacking in much of rural Missouri, and Benton County is no exception. Better internet service improves the lives of citizens in business, healthcare, education, and beyond. Many employers look at access to quality broadband internet before they consider locating in a new region.
Please follow the link below and select Benton county to take this quick speed test from your HOME and/or WORK computer. If you do not have any access to internet there is a spot to fill in as well. Please DO NOT take this test from your phone, taking it from your phone will not give an accurate read as they are two separate types of service. The more tests we get, the stronger our data set. You can take the test on your home or business internet connection at Kaysinger.com under the Broadband Speed Test tab or the following link.

http://kaysinger.com/?page_id=1128

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the project manager, Nick Allison, at (417)391-6012 or Benton County Economic Development 660-492-3402.

 

March 9, 2021: Regional Planning Commission Asks Area Residents For Input on Jobs and Training

Whether you are working or not, if you are between the ages of 18 and 69 the Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission wants to hear from you. Kaysinger Basin, which covers seven counties including Bates, Benton, Cedar, St. Clair, Vernon, Hickory, and Henry Counties, is currently conducting an in-depth study of jobs, training, and education as a key step to help the greater Kaysinger region attract new jobs and develop a strong workforce pipeline for existing employers.

“This survey is especially important in helping us help local businesses grow and expand and in attracting new job opportunities to the region. We really encourage residents to take the survey today,” KBRPC Executive Director Sheridan Garman-Neeman said.

“We want to know if people are satisfied in their current jobs and feel like their talents and skills are being put to good use. We are also asking about their education and training, both before they went to work and, on the job,” Garman-Neeman added.

Even if you are not working, KBRPC still wants you to take the survey. Garman-Neeman noted that some people may have lost their job or voluntarily left due to COVID. Other people may not be working right now for other reasons but want to get a job in the near future if there is a good opportunity. “If you are not working right now but have an interest in going back to work in the future, we want to hear from you. Even people not considering going back to work should participate, since it helps us better understand our regional workforce which, in turn, helps improve our business climate,” noted Garman-Neeman.

The survey takes less than five minutes and can be found at: Https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Kbrpcresidentsurvey

For questions please contact KBRPC staff at: Phone: (660) 885-3393

State of Missouri Public Health Warning - Click to Read

Senior Citizens Tax Service - Funding Application

Benton County Senior Tax Services provides funding for organizations that serve the senior citizen population of Benton County. This organization is responsible for funds made possible from the Senior Tax received through County Property Taxes. Every year any organization that provides services to county citizens Age 60 and above may apply for funds. See the application below.

Applications are due by November 2nd. Application and Instructions

Benton County Health Department will offer the following Flu and COVID-19 Dual Antibody IgG/IgM Rapid Serology Screening clinics

Drive thru Flu Clinics

**When/Where: Thursday, October 1st from 8am – 1pm Lincoln @ First Baptist Church Parking Lot (121 Locust St)

**When/Where: Monday, October 5th 8am-5pm Warsaw@ Benton County Health Department Parking Lot (1238 Commercial St)

**When/Where: Thursday, October 8th from 8am – 1pm Cole Camp @ St Paul’s Lutheran Church (205 W Jefferson St)

** When/Where: Saturday October 10th 9am-3pm Benton County Health Department Parking Lot (1238 Commercial St)

COVID-19 Dual Antibody IgG/IgM Rapid Serology Screening

Who: The Benton County Health Department has worked in conjunction with CARES Act guidelines and is offering this screening at no cost to Benton County Residents. (Results take up to approx. 10 minutes) (No appointment necessary for these clinics)

**When/Where: Thursday, October 1st from 8am – 1pm Lincoln@ First Baptist Church gymnasium (121 Locust St)

**When/Where: Thursday, October 8th from 8am – 1pm Cole Camp @ St Paul’s Lutheran Church in the basement (205 W Jefferson St)

** When/Where: Saturday October 10th 9am-3pm Benton County Health Department (1238 Commercial St)

Job Announcement: E-911 Director

The Benton County 911 Center is currently accepting applications for the position of Director to coordinate and manage the 9-1-1 Communications Center, which serves all jurisdictions in Benton County.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to managing and coordinating the activities of the
Communications Center by: developing and implementing policy and procedures; supervising and directing 9-1-1 staff; preparing and administrating the annual budget; and, planning, organizing, coordinating and reporting all fiscal operations of the Center.

Desired qualifications include: a Bachelor's Degree in Communications or a related field; 5+ years experience in an emergency communications dispatch environment of a medium (four or more dispatchers) dispatch center. Highly qualified candidates may substitute experience for a Bachelor's Degree. Dispatch center administration certification (Emergency Number Professional-ENP) or the ability to qualify for certification testing preferred. Background in Police, Fire and EMS dispatching with experience in a Dispatch center required; excellent customer service and community relation skills.

Knowledge of computer programs including CAD, Mapping, AVL, computer-based E-9-1-1
Communications Systems and office programs utilized to generate reports and presentations.

Close Date: September 18, 2020

Applications and resumes will be accepted up to and no later than 4:30 p.m. on close date. Applications are available at the County Clerk's Office Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This office is closed from Noon until 1:00 p.m. Applications and specific job duties are available for download here.

If you wish to mail your application and resume to the County Clerk's Office, the
mailing address is P.O. Box 1238, Warsaw, MO 65355. For further information, you can contact the Benton County Presiding Commissioner, Steve Daleske, at 660-438-7406.

 

July 29, 2020.  COVID-19 Dual Antibody IgG/IgM Rapid Serology Screening

The Benton County Health Department has worked in conjunction with CARES Act guidelines and is offering this screening at no cost to Benton County Residents.

WHO: Benton County Residents who are asymptotic and have not had known contact with someone who has tested Positive for COVID-19

WHEN / WHERE: Thursday, July 30, 2020 from Noon – 7pm, Jaycees House, 208 E. Main, Cole Camp MO

WHEN / WHERE: Friday, July 31, 2020 from Noon – 7 pm, First Baptist Church (gymnasium), 121 Locust St, Lincoln MO

WHEN / WHERE: Saturday, August 1, 2020 from 9 am - 3 pm, BCHD Office, 1238 Commercial St, Warsaw MO

(Results take up to approx. 10 minutes) (No appointment necessary for these clinics)

May 13, 2020. Click here to read an important update regarding the Missouri Courts to go into effect May 16, 2020.

May 4, 2020. Click here to read a press release regarding Benton County and the federal "CARES Act".

April 29, 2020. Changes and public information regarding the June 2nd election can be seen here.

April 28, 2020. Starting Monday, May 4th, 2020 at 12:01 AM, Benton County will be following Phase 1 of the Show-Me Strong Recovery Plan. For more information regarding what this means for businesses, and the community, please read the info in this link.

April 3, 2020. Per the announcement below. Benton County is under a stay at home order. Please read the announcement carefully, here.

April 1, 2020. Click here to read a release from the Supreme Court of Missouri and the Circuit Court of Benton County.

March 23, 2020. Click here to read a release from the Supreme Court of Missouri and the Circuit Court of Benton County. This notice supersedes the notice released on March 17th.
    By order of the Benton County Commission, the courthouse is closed to public traffic due to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective Tuesday, March 24th, 2020. Proposed re-opening is scheduled for March 30, 2020; however, this proposal will be reassessed. If assistance is required from someone within the courthouse, contact may be made via the phone numbers posed at the respective office pages.

March 18, 2020. Benton County is rescheduling the April 7, 2020 election to June 2, 2020. This is on orders from Governor Parson. Please contact the Benton County Clerk’s office for any additional information.

March 17, 2020. CLICK HERE to read an important release from the Supreme Court of Missouri and the Circuit Court of Benton County.

March 16, 2020. This announcement is a collaboration between the following Benton County Agencies: School Officials, County Officials, City Officials, Health Department, and the Office of Emergency Management.

As a result of the Government of Missouri's State of Emergency Declaration, the school districts of Warsaw, Lincoln, and Cole Camp will suspend session effective immediately. The school notification systems will notify parents/guardians of a schedule to pick up educational packets/supplies prior to the close of business on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Per Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, in regard to cancellations of gatherings in excess of 50 persons, all school activities are canceled, unless otherwise notified. Updated information will be distributed as it becomes available through your school notification system. For updated information regarding the Coronavirus, please visit www.health.mo.gov/coronavirus.