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.
When I stepped into this role, I made some promises to the landowners of this district. Several months in, I want to report on what has actually been done — because accountability means showing results, not just stating intentions.
Every dollar in and out of the district is now posted on this website, reconciled directly from bank statements and organized by fiscal year. Every meeting is properly noticed and its minutes made public. We reconciled the district’s records for the 2019 FEMA flood project against the federal accounting. We launched a text-alert system so landowners can get meeting notices and road updates directly, and can report road problems to the district at any time. And the roads themselves are being worked — the district now has an operator grading and maintaining them, with the first work completed this month.
When I stepped in, the district was working through the findings of the 2022 State Audit. Those findings were taken seriously, and addressing them has been a priority. I hold my parents’ memory with love and respect — they served this district faithfully for decades — and part of honoring that service is making sure the district is on the strongest possible footing going forward.
I am serving in an appointed capacity, filling the vacancy created by my father’s passing. The seat I hold will be on the ballot in April 2027. Between now and then, my goal is the same as it was on day one: get this district on solid footing and hand it to whoever the landowners choose to lead it next.
I am committed to earning your trust — not just asking for it.
Cornland Special Road District
Updated October 13, 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
Mark Heckadon
Appointed October 7, 2026 by the Bates County Commission, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Don Hill. Term expires April 2029.
Commissioner
Alex Little
Appointed October 7, 2026 by the Bates County Commission, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Russell Epperson. 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. See the Elections page for upcoming dates and how to file.
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.