The lawsuit challenging Saline County’s classification is delayed another two months.

Judge Kelly Ann Rose agreed Monday, Aug. 18 to a delay in the hearing of Saline County Assessor Jessica Adcock Goodman’s lawsuit against the Saline County Commission, after Goodman’s attorney had traveled to the Lafayette County Courthouse in Lexington instead. Both courthouses are in the 15th Judicial Circuit.

Rose initially dismissed Goodman’s lawsuit in March 2023, but was directed by the Western District Court of Appeals in July to reconsider the portion of Goodman’s lawsuit arguing that Saline County no longer qualifies to operate as a fourth class county and should operate in the third classification. The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments last September after Goodman appealed the dismissal, ultimately returning the case to the appellate court for their consideration.

Prior to the hearing, Lafayette County Counselor Dawn Boyer filed a petition for her county to intervene in the case, seeking the dismissal of Goodman’s claims with prejudice. Boyer was present for the hearing, as were several county government officials from Johnson, Lafayette and Pettis counties.

Rose set the next hearing for Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. at the Saline County Courthouse in Marshall. Lafayette County’s petition to intervene will also be heard in October.

Following today’s hearing, the Saline County Commission met in closed session with their attorney, as permitted by Missouri Sunshine Law.

KMMO News obtained permission from the circuit court to capture still photography in the courtroom prior to Monday’s hearing.