The Shoppes at North Village opened nearly four years ago, but the final bill for the project remains open.

The contractor, Clarkson Construction Co. of Kansas City, claims Buchanan County owes an outstanding balance of $564,084 for work it did on North Village Drive and some sewer work. The county isn't so sure.

The Buchanan County Commission took the first step toward resolving the dispute Wednesday, meeting with Bob Johnson, the president of RH Johnson. RH Johnson developed the project. Clarkson also claims the developer still owes roughly $200,000.

"We owe our money, and you owe your money," Mr. Johnson told commissioners Wednesday. "If we don't pay, then there will be a lawsuit."

Contractors from Clarkson did not return messages from the News-Press on Wednesday.

Clarkson asked the developer for the final fees six months ago, explained Eastern District Commissioner Dan Hausman. But the commission didn't hear anything else on the matter until this month.

"I'm new at this, but I would say this is not the norm," Presiding Commissioner Royal "RT" Turner said of a collection three years in the making.

Why it took Clarkson so long to come calling for the money is a matter of some debate.

Bruce Woody, St. Joseph's public works director, said it's because the city didn't receive a deed of gifts for the land from the county, and the county never platted, or established rights of way for North Village Drive, thus delaying the completion of the project.

"We have been encouraging the county to start the process for four years now. It hasn't begun yet," Mr. Woody said.

Mr. Hausman had a different take on the matter.

"I don't know what the city wants," said Mr. Hausman, who contended that the county has provided everything for which the city has asked. "I guess if they would tell us what they want, we would do it."

Mr. Johnson told the commission that the delay was a result of the city not being satisfied with the initial sewer system.

Either way, Clarkson's belated billing struck Mr. Hausman and Mr. Turner as odd. And Mr. Hausman isn't convinced the county owes any more after the commission met with Mr. Johnson on Wednesday for about an hour.

"I saw nothing today that says we owe anything," Mr. Hausman said.

Commissioners said county attorney George Murray reviewed the documents and advised the county wasn't responsible.

"How we get to the bottom of this, I have no idea," Mr. Hausman said. "(Mr. Johnson) has his homework to do. We have our homework to do. Someday it will probably come to a resolution."

If it turns out the county does indeed owe more than half a million dollars, Mr. Turner said he didn't know where the payment would come from.

R.J. Cooper can be reached

at rjcooper@npgco.com.