Boone County News Release


Press Archives Press Room

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Boone County Commission Administrative Coordinator
Phone: (573) 886-4312


Boone County Week In Review

May 20, 2011

For the week ending May 20, 2011

Things you may have missed...

Melinda Bobbitt

Bobbitt named Windsor Distinguished Service Award recipient and Professional Manager of the Year at MAPP conference

Melinda Bobbitt, director of Boone County's Purchasing Department, received two honors at the Missouri Association of Public Purchasing spring conference. Bobbitt received the Linda D. Windsor Distinguished Service Award in honor of her professional accomplishments and contributions to MAPP. She was also named the Professional Manager of the Year: Small Entity for her outstanding accomplishments over the previous year.

The Linda D. Windsor Distinguished Service Award honors a MAPP member's accomplishments and outstanding service to MAPP. This is the organization's highest chapter sponsored award. It was named in honor of the late Linda D. Windsor, who was a buyer for the city of Columbia. "She was a huge contributor to our MAPP association and a wonderful mentor to our membership," Bobbitt said.

The MAPP Manager of the Year Awards commemorate a member's outstanding accomplishments for the previous year. Awards are to both large and small sized entities; a small entity is defined as a purchasing group of five or fewer.

MAPP's spring conference was held at the Country Club Hotel and Spa in Lake Ozark from Wednesday, May 11 through Friday, May 13.

Melinda Bobbitt, Purchasing

Boone County Clerk receives $25,000 grant from U.S. Election Assistance Commission

The Boone County Clerk's office has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to develop a toolkit for improving the pre-election logic and accuracy testing of ballot counting systems, according to Wendy Noren, Boone County Clerk. The grant is part of over $8 million in funds awarded to grant recipients around the country.

Noren said that the project plans to develop computer programs that will enable local jurisdictions to generate logic and accuracy (L&A) test scripts that meet State of Missouri regulations. Having ready-made test scripts will improve accuracy, eliminate tester bias, reduce cost for local jurisdictions and remove reliance on voting equipment vendor-generated test decks.

While the project will first focus on developing test scripts for Boone County, additional programming will be developed that will allow other jurisdictions in the state to generate test scripts from voter registration data regardless of the ballot counting system.

The EAC is an independent agency of the United States government created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). The Commission serves as a national clearinghouse and resource of information regarding election administration. It is charged with administering payments to states and developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines and accrediting voting system test laboratories and certifying voting equipment.

Wendy Noren, Boone County Clerk

Local agencies participate at beginning of earthquake exercise

The Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) participated in the National Level Exercise being held the week of May 16-20. The scenario included a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone on Monday, May 16, at approximately 9 a.m. This was followed by a 6.0 magnitude earthquake along the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone centered in Mount Carmel, IL, minutes later.

"This exercise began on Monday morning and continued into Tuesday for us," said OEM Director Zim Schwartze. "We simulated the activation of the Emergency Operations Center and the need for City, County and private sector entities to come together and actively coordinate our plans, decisions and actions based on the developing scenario to our southeast as well as locally. Our focus was on the response to the Columbia/Boone County community, those that would be coming into and through our area, as well how we could assist with those impacted to our southeast."

The exercise is being conducted in conjunction with the bicentennial year of the 1811 New Madrid earthquake. In December 1811 and January 1812, there were an estimated five separate earthquakes in that region which are believed to be a magnitude 8.0 or higher. In addition, there were roughly 2,000 smaller tremors over the course of the following months.

The Office of Emergency Management would like to thank the many departments and agencies that participated in the exercise, including City, County, Boone County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (BCARES) and the American Red Cross Mid-Missouri Chapter. In addition, University of Missouri Health Care and Landmark Hospital participated and were able to network with Boone Hospital Center and the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital during the exercise.

The Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management encourages all citizens to be prepared for a possible earthquake as well as other disasters and emergencies. There are a number of publications available including those that address earthquakes. Links to that information can be found online at www.gocolumbiamo.com/em.

Scott Smith, Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management

Boldan represents Boone County at MAPP Reverse Vendor Fair

Tyson Boldan, a buyer with Boone County's Purchasing Department, represented Boone County at the Missouri Association of Public Purchasing annual convention's Reverse Vendor Fair.

"At most vendor fairs, the entities walk around and visit with vendors that have booths set up," said Melinda Bobbitt, director of Purchasing. "At the Reverse Vendor Fair, public entities set up a booth and vendors walk around and visit with us."

Boldan visited with 20 to 25 vendors at the event, explaining to them how to register to receive notices of bids from Boone County, and to explain the types of commodities and services the county purchases. The goal, according to Bobbitt, was to increase the county's vendor database.

MAPP's spring conference was held at the Country Club Hotel and Spa in Lake Ozark from Wednesday, May 11 through Friday, May 13.

Melinda Bobbitt, Purchasing

McGee Road to be closed Friday, May 20

Beginning Friday, May 20, McGee Road at Todd Road in Columbia will be closed to allow crews to install a crossroad culvert. McGee Road will be closed from 8 a.m. through 3 p.m.

Motorists should use caution in all construction/work zones, and find an alternate route when necessary.

Jane Telander, Public Works

Week in Preview

Sheriff's Department to crack down on seatbelt violations

The Boone County Sheriff's Department will be joining with law enforcement around the state from Monday, May 23 to Sunday, June 5 for an aggressive "Click-It or Ticket" mobilization to crack down on Missouri's seatbelt violations.

Missouri's seatbelt use rate, which has remained relatively unchanged in the last six years, is currently at 76 percent. This is well below the national average of 85 percent. Missourians least likely to buckle up include teens and pick-up truck drivers, whose respective seat belt usage rates are at 66 and 61 percent.

Every day, someone dies in a crash in Missouri because he or she wasn't buckled up. Seatbelt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.

Buckle up and arrive alive. For more information on Missouri seatbelt use, visit www.saveMOlives.com.

Brian Leer, Sheriff's Department

Red Cross blood drive scheduled for Government Center

The annual spring Red Cross blood drive will be held on Friday, May 27, from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m., at the Boone County Government Center in the County Commission Chambers. The Red Cross's spring blood drive is held in memory of John Patton, former County Counselor. Patton was the County's Legal Counselor for approximately 20 years until his death in a motorcycle accident in March 2007.

Donors may not have donated blood within the previous 56 days. Each donation can help save the lives of three individuals.

If you have any questions, please contact the Red Cross at 573-489-2450. You can make an appointment online to donate at https://www.givelife.org/index.cfm?group=registration&hlc=BooneCoGovernment.

Kara Coustry, Human Resources

Boone County in the news

Missouri Guardsmen prepare for disasters

Seventy one Missouri Army and Air National Guardsmen from units across the state are sharpening their skills this week. The troops are holding a "Weapons of Mass Destruction" exercise at the Boone County Fire Department's Training Facility. | KRCG

Civics surprise: Learning what the county does for residents

I'm pretty certain it's not every day that you're asked to prepare a presentation for a delegation of officials from Inner Mongolia. (Just a minute. Let me check my records. Feel free to chat amongst yourselves.) | Columbia Business Times

Boone County job opportunities

Accountant, Auditor's Office (Job opportunity #402-1110)

Responsibilities: Performs professional governmental accounting and budgeting responsibilities including but not limited to preparing and approving entries to the general accounting ledger; reconciling accounts and ledgers; preparing, analyzing, and reviewing annual budgets; performing on-going budget analysis and review throughout the year; preparing financial statements, schedules, and audit work papers; coordinating the preparation of the County's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report; designing and performing financial analysis procedures; designing and performing various auditing procedures and programs; and other projects as assigned.

Status: Full time, benefited, non-exempt

Working hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday

Minimum qualifications: Qualified candidate must have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field and a minimum of three years accounting experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. The qualified candidate must also possess a proficient knowledge of spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel or equivalent), word processing software (Microsoft Word or equivalent), considerable knowledge of and experience with automated accounting systems (IBM AS400, IBM iSeries, or similar), and knowledge and experience with data base tools such as AS400 query or Microsoft Access. Proficient knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, particularly governmental accounting standards is preferred. The successful candidate must also possess excellent oral and written communication skills as well as effective interpersonal skills; must possess critical thinking and advanced analytical skills; and be able to work independently without close supervision.

Hourly salary range: $15.62 - $19.52 (Starting wage dependent on qualifications)

Deadline for application: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Apply online at www.showmeboone.com/hr or in person at the Human Resources Department, 601 E. Walnut, Room 211, Columbia, MO 65201 (Johnson Building, second floor), or call 573-886-4395 if you have questions. Please call in advance if special accommodations are required in order to apply. Benefits include 100 percent County-paid medical, dental and vision insurance, pre-tax savings program, two weeks vacation, 12 paid holidays, matching deferred compensation plan and retirement plans. Visit www.showmeboone.com/hr to see a complete list of posted positions, submit an online application or to print off the application.

Boone County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer.

Have an item for Week in Review?

Do you have something coming up that you want to share? Send it in! Let us know what's coming up in your week that your colleagues may be interested in, or what happened in the previous week that everyone should know. Contact Lamar Henderson, Boone County Public Information Officer, at 886-4312 or lhenderson@boonecountymo.org; the deadline for next week's Week in Review is 5 p.m., Thursday, May 26.



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