Is MoDNR Seeking Repayment of $57K Courthouse Grant?

Is MoDNR Seeking Repayment of $57K Courthouse Grant?

On Thursday, June 20, representatives of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources met with the Clark County Commissioners and Prosecuting Attorney Scott Summers concerning the $57,000 emergency grant the county received in 2008 to stabilize the courthouse. Representing the DNR were Mark Miles, Director of the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office, and Harry Bozoian, MDNR General Counsel.
At the time the county received the grant, they signed a covenant with the MDNR, which among other things promises that the county will preserve the existing building, and that no part of the structure be demolished without MDNR permission, unless immediate removal is necessary for the prevention of disease or for the protection and safety of property.
“We had a productive meeting last week,” said Miles.
According to the Clark County Commission Record of June, Bozoian expressed his concern about the $57,000 grant, mentioning that DNR does not do stabilization grants. He discussed the possibility that the county might need to pay the money back. Commissioner Neyens said the county thought the grant was a gift and would not be paid back.
“We discussed a number of options, and we’re still considering those options,” said Miles. Mile s declined to comment on what those options might be.