JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Mike Kehoe appointed Farmington resident Kent Scism as St. Francois County presiding commissioner Friday, filling a county office vacancy as part of four appointments announced Oct. 16.
The governor’s office identified Scism as the former owner and operator of Sam Scism Ford, which it said he sold in 2021. The announcement also listed his involvement with the Farmington Elks, Chamber of Commerce and Knights of Columbus.
The position is part of county government rather than a state agency. Missouri law provides for a three-member county commission, and state statutes give the presiding commissioner a deciding role when only two commissioners are sitting and disagree on a matter.
The commission also manages county property and may buy, lease or sell property for county purposes under state law. Its decisions can therefore affect county assets as well as the conduct of public business.
Kehoe also appointed Mikayla Glaubius as DeKalb County circuit clerk. She had served as deputy clerk and then interim circuit clerk, according to the governor’s announcement.
Two other appointments returned members to statewide boards: Springfield resident Aileen Dressler to the Missouri Statewide Independent Living Council and Cabool resident Courtney Owens to the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Dressler founded Courtesy Care Plus, and Owens is chief nursing officer at Texas County Memorial Hospital, the announcement said.
Sources: Governor’s Oct. 16 appointment announcement; Missouri county commission membership law; Missouri county commission quorum and deciding-vote law; Missouri law on county property and claims.
