From the Commissioner
A Note from the Commissioner
My name is Layne Anderson. I was appointed Commissioner and Trustee ex-officio Treasurer of the Cornland Special Road District on June 10, 2026, following the passing of my father, Gary Anderson, who served on this board for many years. My mother, Annette Anderson, served as Secretary-Treasurer until her passing in November 2025.
I loved my parents deeply, and I am still grieving their loss. But I want to be honest with the landowners of this district: I did not agree with how this board was being run. The findings of the 2022 State Audit were serious, and the people who petitioned for that audit were right to do so. You deserved better accountability, and I am sorry that you did not receive it.
I want to be clear: I hold my parents’ memory with love and respect. They served this district for decades, and that dedication was real. But love for family does not require defending every decision they made, and honesty about what went wrong is not the same as dishonor. I believe they would want this district to be run well — and that is what I intend to do.
What I can promise you is this: things are going to be different. This website exists because transparency matters. Every dollar that comes in and goes out will be posted here. Every meeting will be properly noticed and minuted. Every decision will be made in the open.
I also want to be transparent about my role here: I am serving in an appointed capacity to fill the vacancy created by my father’s passing. The seat I hold was on the ballot in April 2024, which means it will be up for election again in April 2027. Between now and then, my only goal is to get this district on solid footing and hand it to whoever the landowners choose to lead it next.
I am asking for your patience as I work to put this district back on solid footing, and I am asking for your grace toward the memory of my parents. I believe we can acknowledge what went wrong without losing sight of the people they were.
I am committed to earning your trust — not just asking for it.
Cornland Special Road District
June 2026
About the District
Maintaining Rural Roads Since 1944
The Cornland Special Road District is a political subdivision of the State of Missouri, established in 1944 under Chapter 233 of the Missouri Revised Statutes. The district maintains approximately 12–15 miles of gravel roads within its designated boundaries in Bates County.
Governed by a board of elected commissioners, the district is responsible for road maintenance, grading, drainage, and capital improvement projects on behalf of the rural landowners and residents it serves. As a public governmental entity, the district operates under Missouri open-records and open-meetings laws.
Governance
Board of Commissioners
Commissioner & Trustee ex-officio Treasurer
Layne Anderson
Appointed June 10, 2026 by the Bates County Commission, filling the vacancy created by the passing of Gary Anderson. Term expires April 2027.
Commissioner
Vacant
This seat is currently vacant following the resignation of Don Hill on July 22, 2026. Term expires April 2029.
Commissioner
Vacant
This seat is currently vacant following the resignation of Russell Epperson on June 9, 2026. Term expires April 2028.
The district holds elections each April under Chapter 233 RSMo. One commissioner seat appears on the ballot each year on a staggered three-year cycle. Any registered voter residing within the district boundaries is eligible to file as a candidate.
Contact
District Information
Jurisdiction
Bates County, Missouri
Designated boundaries per Chapter 233 RSMo
Meetings
Held as needed with proper public notice. See the Meetings page for upcoming schedule.
Public Records
Records requests may be submitted on the contact page under the district's Sunshine Law policy. Annual financial reports are filed with the Missouri State Auditor. Meeting minutes are posted on the Meetings page.