RICHMOND – Eyes widened with disbelief after some statements.

Deep-furrowed frowns followed others.

Ray County officials reacted with expressions of astonishment to remarks by “experts” on a conference call from the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office and the U.S. Treasury Department.

Believing their ears seemed contrary to common sense about how governments across the state would be able to spend $2.38 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds, or CRF.

While Lawson and other communities seek funds from Ray County, commissioners heard comments, sometimes contradictory, that included…

• “It’s important that you be able to document the decisions that you made and that they are consistent with your understanding of the guidelines.”

• “The guidance is changing, kind of on a biweekly basis.”

• “It’s certainly possible somebody at the top will change an interpretation of something at some point.”

• “We are unclear when those reporting requirements will start and what that might entail.”

• “We’re not …