Stoddard County, Missouri - "Shall the County of Stoddard impose a county wide sales tax at the rate of one half (1/2) of one (1) percent for a period of seven (7) years from the date on which such tax is first imposed for the purpose of the renovation of the existing jail, construction, equipment, and design cost of a jail addition. Collections for this Proposition are not to begin until the the one half (1/2) of one (1) percent sales tax of Proposition 1 is approved."
This means on August 7, 2018 Proposition 1 must pass first before Proposition 2 can also be enacted. Both are needed for the survival of the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department.
Let's look at the past and see how the Sheriff's department has gotten to this point. First the jail was original constructed in 1983 to hold about 8 inmates. Then in 1991 the jail underwent an addition offering 4 more cells, two showers, dispatch area, laundry room and sheriff's office along with a booking area that is now an inmate property storage area. By the end of construction in 1991the jail was designed to hold 28 inmates.
Since that time the jail has grown to over capacity, but not much renovation has been done. The average daily inmate population in 1998 was 34 making the jail capacity at 121%. During the 2016/2017 years the average daily jail population was 76 meaning jail was at 271% capacity.
The jail is now housing 4 people per 2-man cell and the day room is being used to house inmates for sleeping, etc. The kitchen is smaller than most apartments and they use residential washer and dryer constantly purchasing more than one a year to replace each as they run them almost 24 hours a day. Their food storage is outside and cold food storage is in refrigerators in the hallway. Safety of the officers is impaired because of the space and inmates having to go outside to get items to prepare three meals per day. There is always plumbing issues which need to be upgraded.
One of the most serious problems is not being able to segregate inmates. Which means if you are a arrested for a minor violation you will be housed with violent sex offenders. There is simply no ability to segregate inmates. There is not even a holding area while they process new inmates.
Another serious issue is that the corrections officers do not have visual supervision of inmates at all times. Over crowding leads to jail assaults and increased costs in medical and manpower etc to transport to the hospital as well as the potential for officers to be injured due to increased assaults on staff. Also if there were a fire or emergency the hallways are filled with storage, refrigerators, and other clutter because of lack of proper storage.
The third most important safety issue for corrections officers is the fact that the cell doors don't latch properly. They are using an antiquated key system and many parts on the cell doors are not available or have to be specially made. Another cost and safety issue for our deputies.
The new addition to the jail will include a full basement, a separate booking area with line of sight to padded cells and holding cells, an full kitchen and food prep area, industrial laundry area, cold and dry storage and four isolation/observation cells and a holding area for booking. Most importantly it will include a secure "sally port" for transportation of inmates. This is extremely necessary not only for the safety of the officers, but to the public as well.
The main level of construction will house a control center for the entire jail where all doors will be operated from a "pod" system. This new construction will also house approximately120 inmates which should then last for years.
The preliminary cost of the entire project is estimated to be a little over 9 million dollars. The proposed funding would come from the passage of this sale tax to fund the jail until the bond is paid back which should be 7 years. This tax will end in 7 years.
If you have any questions or would like Sheriff Carl Hefner to speak at your organization about Proposition 1 and 2 please contact him at 573.568.4654
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.
Dexter, Missouri - The 3rd Annual DPR Grille It Up will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at East Park in Dexter, Missouri. Events will begin at 8:00 a.m.
This event is designed for the entire family! Ever ridden in a helicopter? Here's your chance!!!
On Friday, July 13th the Three Rivers College Dash & Splash 5K Run/Walk will kick off the event beginning at 6:00 p.m.
There will be a car show, cook-off, mud volleyball tournament, live music, beer garden, helicopter rides, bounce houses, swap meet, food, snacks, and crafts. The event is FREE to attend and open to the public.
Featured at the Grille It Up will be the food court with various snack vendors. There will be a little bit of everything from burgers, bbq, tater piles, funnel cakes and so much more. Grab a bite to eat and wander around the car show or check out the craft vendors while listening to live music. There is something for every one.
The children can also cool off at the Dexter Aquatic Center or ride in a helicopter.
Check out the Dexter Parks and Recreation Website by clicking HERE.
If you would like to participate, register online or in person for all events, vendors, and contests. Forms are available at dexterpark-rec.com or at the park office located at 500 Fairground Dr in Dexter. You may also contact the park office at (573) 624-8244
There are Early Bird Deadlines and the cost will be less if you register prior to those dates. Car Show deadline is July 13th, Cook-off is July 5th, Swap Meet is July 13th and Mud Volleyball is June 28th. So please contact the Park and Rec Dept as soon as possible to get your EARLY-BIRD registration completed.
Mud Volleyball is sponsored by Hessling Construction, Inc. Cash prizes are First Place $500 and 2nd Place $250. Early Bird registration is only $120 per team.
There will also be a ton of entertainment! Beginning at noon it's the Brothers Walker, at 1:15 p.m. Jesse Hammock, at 2:30 p.m. Swamp Whiskey, at 4 p.m. Danetta Mason Band and at 5:30 p.m. it's Cynderblok. Entertainment brought to you by Z95 The Bone!
Join in the fun with the annual Cook Off. Categories are Appetizer, Chicken, Pork Ribs, and Beef Brisket. Entry fee is $30 until July 5th. After July 5th the entry fee will be $35. Wing War has en entry fee of $20 until July 5th and $25 after July 5th so get in early! There will be Cash Prizes for 1st Place $250, 2nd Place $100, and 3rd Place $50. Wing War Winner will receive $100. Cook-Off is sponsored by Tyson.
Car Show Registration fee is $15 for early bird registration prior to July 13th. Dash Plaques will be given to the first 60 cars. There are 30 Classes including Under Construction, Street Rods, Stock Cars, Modified Trucks, Special Interest Motorcycles, Mustangs, Antiques, Street Machines, Rat Rods, Firebird and Camaros, Race Cars, Corvettes and Off Road along with several different "year" distinctions within those classes.
Please help support the Dexter Parks and Rec largest fundraiser of the year! It all about food, fun, and a great time. All proceeds are used to help fund DPR athletes!
Dexter, Missouri - Dexter Chamber of Commerce held a relocation Ribbon Cutting for Dexter Community Care Center on Thursday, June 28, 2018. The Center relocated to 911 B West Business Hwy 60 next to Dollar General.
It may be a new location, but they will have the same dedicated providers; Muhannad Al-Kilani, MD Endocrinologist, Cyriacus Anaele, MD Nephrologist, Rachel Coppage, FNP, Family Nurse Practitioner, Paul F. Montany, MD, Vascular, Thoracic and General Surgeon, Jennifer Nickell, MD, Obstetrics/Gynecology and Hollie Conner, FNP-C is a Family Nurse Practitioner.
They are open from 8 a.m. - noon and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Call (573) 614-5762 to make an appointment or walk-ins are also welcome.
Pictured from left to right are Korie Fish, Dexter Chamber of Commerce Director, Kerri Schaefer, Dexter Community Care Center Repectionist, Donna Fields, Clinic Manager, Katie Levart, LPN, Hollie Conner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Lea Jenkins, Southern Bank, Sharon Urhahn, Director of Marketing, and Jason Banken, Dexter Mayor.
