Stoddard County, Missouri - On August 7, 2018 the public will have the opportunity to make a difference by voting YES for Proposition 1.  It states, "Shall the County of Stoddard impose a county wide sales tax of one half (1/2) of one (1) percent for the purpose of maintaining the Stoddard county Jail and Sheriff's Office operations."

Proposition 1 will focus much of the revenue on the starting salary for new corrections officers and communications personnel employed by the Stoddard County Sheriffs's Department.

According to Sheriff Carl Hefner the officers are currently one of the if not the lowest paid police in our area.  Starting salary for deputies is $11.62 per hour.  Butler County offers $18.40 per hour Bloomfield Police Dept offers $12.76 per hour, Dexter PD $14.47 per hour, Dunklin County $12.51, Malden and Advance PD $13.00 per hour.

"We a losing deputies to other locations due to the fact they can go elsewhere and make more money for their family," comment Hefner. "We have two positions currently open righ tnow and we cover more area than most."

Stoddard County is the 10th largest county in Missouri with more than 820 square miles, 950 miles of roadways and 29,000 people.

"We average 11,000 calls for service each year," continued Hefner. "That's over 200 calls per week."

Proposition 1 will generate $1.4 million in revenue per year.  

"Our current budget of 2018 is $1.2 million and compared to Dexter's police department they have a budge of $2 million per year," stated Hefner.

The Sheriff's office will assume most of the budget to be used from the tax except 50% of the salaries, which in turn will free up money for roads, bridges, and other county offices.

On July 13, 2018 Sheriff Hefner will speak at the Bloomfield Chamber Meeting to be held at noon at Elderland. The public is encouraged to attend and ask questions.