Lawrence County, Missouri

County news

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Ribbon cutting, tours July 18 for Law Enforcement Center

 

(July 1, 2024) The public will be able to view the interior of the new Law Enforcement Center before inmates are moved in following a ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 18, 2024. An open house will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 to 6 p.m.

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While the building was deemed "substantially complete" as of June 28, the county is still awaiting some equipment, furnishings and other final work, along with training on the new systems, before operations can move there.

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The $23 million facility at 1525 Missouri Drive will house the sheriff's office and jail. It brings sheriff’s office operations together under one roof and replaces the current 52-bed jail built in 1984 with a modern, more efficient 120-bed detention center. It is designed to allow two future 96-bed expansions. Voters approved a 3/8-cent sales tax to finance the construction. Elevatus Architecture designed the facility; and Nabholz Construction is construction manager at risk.

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County to hire full-time facilities maintenance technician

 

(July 9, 2024) Lawrence County Commission is seeking a full-time facilities maintenance technician for county facilities in Mt. Vernon, Missouri.

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Job Overview: We are seeking a skilled Facility Maintenance worker to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for overseeing the maintenance and repair of various facilities and equipment.

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Duties:

- Perform routine maintenance for all facilities

- Establish routine & preventative maintenance plans where needed for all facilities.

- Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical issues.

- Perform general maintenance, ground maintenance.

- Monitor computerized HVAC and other maintenance systems.

- Perform a variety of building maintenance and repair tasks, including but not limited to changing light bulbs, painting, doing basic carpentry, minor electrical repair, minor roofing repairs, and installing and repairing plumbing fixtures

- Coordinate with contractors for major repairs per County policies.

- Perform other task and duties as assigned

- Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with other staff and the public.

- Walks, standing and lifting to 50 lbs.

- Must pass Security Background Check

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Skills:

- Proficient in facilities maintenance practices
- Knowledge of electrical systems and mechanical components
- Ability to troubleshoot and repair mechanical issues

- Friendly demeanor, service-oriented attitude, and engaging communication skills.

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Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)

• 401(k) matching

• Dental insurance

• Health insurance

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Retirement plan

• Vision insurance

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Experience level:

• 2 years

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Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

• Day shift

• Monday to Friday

• Weekends as needed

 

Send resume to triebe@lawrencecountymo.gov or deliver resume in person to the Lawrence County Clerk’s Office in the Historic Courthouse. Or see listing on Indeed.

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Fair ballot language, constitutional amendment text offered

 

(July 1, 2024) Lawrence County Clerk Tammy Riebe has published the text of the constitutional amendments on the August primary ballot, along with fair ballot language versions, on this web site. The election will be Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.

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Voter registration must be completed before July 10. Absentee voting is June 25 to Aug. 5. No excuse absentee voting is July 23 to Aug. 5. The county clerk's office will hold special Saturday hours Aug. 3 from 8 to noon for absentee and no excuse early voting. More information is available on the elections page and by calling the county clerk's office at 417-466-2638.

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Public test of election tabulating equipment set July 24

 

(July 3, 2024) The public is invited to view a public test of the election tabulating equipment that will be used in the August primary election in Lawrence County. County Clerk Tammy Riebe will hold the public test at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, in the second floor elections office in the Historic Courthouse in Mt. Vernon. For more information, call 417-466-2638.

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Part-time position available in county collector's office

 

(June 24, 2024) Lawrence County Collector Kelli McVey is seeking part-time seasonal help for his office in the Historic Courthouse. Applicants must be bondable. Apply in person at the collector's office. A resume is recommended.

 

Health department construction progresses

 

The new Lawrence County Health Department on Missouri Drive is taking shape Construction on that project is expected to be complete before the end of the year. Esterly Schneider & Associates is the architect for the health department. Branco Enterprises is construction manager at risk.

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The $5.3 million construction cost includes the building, sitework and a 40x60 outbuilding that the county will share with emergency management. It will be located south of the new 911 center constructed by the Lawrence County Emergency Services Board, and the Law Enforcement Center currently under construction by the county. The county purchased the three-acre site from the City of Mt. Vernon for $1 in September 2021.

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The health department has occupied a 6,000-square-foot converted grocery store at 105 W. North St. since 1995. It previously was housed in less than a thousand square feet in the courthouse basement. It is operated with county general revenue and grants.

 

Notice of Use Tax

 

(Lawrence County Clerk Tammy Riebe, Sept. 20, 2021) Lawrence County, Missouri previously adopted a use tax, which 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 Lawrence County is currently 2.125 percent which is equal to the total local sales tax rate. Certain purchases from out-of-state vendors will become subject to an expansion of the use tax effective on January 1, 2023, as provided by state law.

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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.

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I, Tammy Riebe, County Clerk for Lawrence County, Missouri, do hereby certify that the foregoing is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, correct. Dated this 3rd day of September 2021.

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Census Bureau puts county's population at 38,001

 

The U.S. Census Bureau puts Lawrence County's 2020 population at 38,001, slightly below the 2010 figure of 38,634. However, another indicator suggests more people are living in Lawrence County than did in 2010. There has been a 1.4 percent increase in individual and household personal property assessment lists returned to the county assessor in the same time period.

 

The Census Bureau ranks Lawrence County as 31st in population in Missouri's listing of 114 counties and the City of St. Louis.

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Lawrence County experienced population drops in 1910, 1920, 1930, 1950 and 1960; but it recorded steady growth from 1960 through 2010.

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