Wayne “Fid” Murphy Jr. Says Experience Matters in Presiding Commissioner Race

LEWIS COUNTY, Mo. — Wayne Murphy Jr., better known to many in Lewis County as “Fid,” joined the Lewis County Scoop for an interview with Wes Sharpe to discuss his re-election campaign for Lewis County Presiding Commissioner, the role of county government, road and bridge concerns, county budgeting, staffing and state mandates affecting local decisions.

Murphy is the current Lewis County Presiding Commissioner and is one of three candidates in the race.

A Williamstown native, Fid said he has spent much of his life in Lewis County, aside from time in North Carolina while serving in the Army. He currently resides in Williamstown and has three children and two grandchildren.

“It’s a nice place out here at Williamstown,” he said. “A lot of good people.”

Much of the conversation focused on what the presiding commissioner and county commission actually do. Fid said the commission handles issues that come up throughout the week, works on the county budget at the beginning of the year, monitors roads and works with other elected officials.

He also noted that the commission does not serve as the direct boss of other elected officeholders.

“Everybody that’s elected is their own boss,” he said.

County departments submit budget requests to the commission each year, and commissioners review those requests before making final decisions. According to Fid, most county officials are careful with public money and do not make unreasonable requests.

“Most of our people are pretty crucial with their money,” he said.

The county’s financial position is stronger today than it was when he first took office in 2011, Fid said. At that time, revenue was low and road and bridge employees had previously been laid off. Since then, he said county revenue has improved steadily, with a larger increase during the COVID period.

“As far as budgeting, we’re sitting real good right now,” he said.

Fid emphasized that county decisions are made by the three-member commission, not by one person alone. It takes two votes to approve action, and he said he records his vote when he disagrees with the other commissioners.

“As far as budgeting, we’re sitting real good right now,” Fid said.

“If I disagree with the other two, I want it in the record,” he said.

Roads were one of the biggest topics discussed during the interview.

Lewis County has been dealing with major road issues following recent storms and heavy rain. Fid said FEMA estimated about $250,000 in damage, and 14 counties in the region were included in a disaster declaration.

“I just hope the voters don’t see this disaster and decide our roads have been bad for a hundred years,” he said. “Roads come and go. You can’t do much when it’s wet.”

Weather plays a major role in gravel road conditions, especially after snow, freezing and heavy spring rains. The county also has some younger grader operators, and training is scheduled to help newer employees gain more experience.

“We’ve got a lot of good guys down there,” he said of the road and bridge department. “When the times are tough, they get her going.”

Staffing remains a challenge. Fid said the road and bridge department could still use additional employees, and some courthouse offices are also working through staffing needs, although he said the courthouse situation is not drastic.

When asked why voters should support him, Fid said he does not want to claim he is better than anyone else running. Instead, he pointed to honesty, work ethic and experience.

“I am honest and I am hardworking,” he said.

The biggest advantage he believes he brings to the race is the knowledge gained through 16 years in county government.

“You’d be surprised how mandated the county is by the State,” he said.

State statutes and mandates affect many county decisions, he said, and commissioners often run into new requirements or limitations from the state. That experience, he said, is difficult to replace.

“It’s the wisdom from being there 16 years is the biggest thing that I’ve got over anybody else.”

The interview also included questions submitted through Facebook.

“It’s the wisdom from being there 16 years is the biggest thing that I’ve got over anybody else.” – Wayne “Fid” Murphy Jr.

One question asked about the county prosecutor position and whether it should remain part time or be made full time. Fid said the current prosecutor position is part time, but he believes the prosecutor does full-time work. He said the commission has been in contact with the prosecutor about compensation.

“We can’t do without her,” he said. “She’s a great prosecutor, she’s a great person.”

Any changes to the position or compensation must stay within state guidelines, he said.

Another question focused on gravel roads and what could be done if he is re-elected. Fid said the county needs to continue working on hiring quality help and training employees. He also said residents need to understand the process involved in repairing gravel roads.

“You start pulling dirt in the road, you gotta haul rock,” he said. “The more dirt you pull in, the more rock you gotta haul.”

He said the county faces three major challenges with road work: weather, money and time.

“We work 40 hours a week, and then we get a disaster, you start over,” he said.

The goal, he said, is to get more employees trained and continue improving the roads, while recognizing that wet weather can quickly undo progress.

The interview also touched on Missouri’s senior property tax freeze. Fid said the measure came down from the state and would freeze real estate taxes on a qualifying person’s primary residence, but only on the home itself, not surrounding land.

The commission is not opposed to the idea, he said, and many seniors have paid their dues. The concern, however, is how the change would affect local entities such as ambulance districts, schools and fire districts.

“The state will lose no money,” he said. “The county will not lose a whole lot of money. It’s going to affect your ambulance, going to affect your schools, going to affect the fires way more than the county.”

The issue is currently under litigation, and the county attorney has advised the commission not to act while that process continues. If the measure is found constitutional, Fid said the commission would be willing to put the issue on the ballot.

“It’s not our place to tell the school they’re not going to have this funding,” he said.

Fid closed the interview by encouraging residents to vote in the Aug. 4 primary election.

The interview is part of the Lewis County Scoop’s effort to provide voters with direct access to candidates running for public office. The Lewis County Scoop does not endorse any candidate. Podcast interviews are provided for informational purposes only so voters can hear directly from the candidates and make their own decisions.