The Stoddard County Commission met in a regular meeting on Monday, August 8, 2022. Presiding Commissioner Danny Talkington and Commissioner Carol Jarrell were both in attendance. Commissioner Steve Jordan was absent with Covid-19.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by Talkington.
Approval of the minutes of Monday, August 1, 2022. Jarrell motioned to accept the minutes, Talkington seconded. All were in favor.
Approval of the July 2022 Adds/Abates from collector, Josh Speakman. Jarrell made a motion to accept. Talkington seconded. All were in favor.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) monies are now available. Speakman stated that he has three days to release the monies for the "new" roof for the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission building. He will need the necessary signatures to go forward.
Electronic transfers were made for checks payable for court costs and for reimbursement from the State of Missouri in the amount of $72,422.90 to Sheriff's account for state inmates who were incarcerated at the Stoddard County Jail.
Cecil Weeks contacted the county attorney to discuss ARPA funds on how to handle the agreements and what qualifies under the guidelines. The cost was $120.00.
Kay Asbell, Stoddard County Recorder, would like to possibly change from FM Bank to a local bank in Bloomfield as long as there are no fees. Talkington will find out if she has to have bids or can just change banks. It would save extra driving to Dexter all the time and save money.
Sheriff Carl Hefner stated that four dispatchers and one jail employee out with Covid-19 and two female inmates have Covid and also a judge is out with Covid.
"He currently has 105 inmates down from 115 inmates. "Several inmates go to places like 3:16 or Jeremiah House. There are several places like that open now and they can stay from 6 months to one year, if they want," comment Hefner. "They can be good programs for those who want to get help."
"We had military M-16s for years. We get audited twice a year on them since they are federal government based. We have to be certified once a year. They are just junk. What good is it to have a rifle that doesn't shoot consistently? So I decided to purchase guns from The Gun Shop," commented Hefner. "I will send all the M-16s back to the Department of Defense. So I went and bought some. They are AR-15s and have heard they work very well."
"I am so glad you purchased them locally," commented Jarrell. Sheriff Hefner spent $3,000.00 on the new rifles with the Gun Shop located on Cameron Street in Dexter.
Another question Hefner had for the Commissioners was paid time off for county employees who miss due to Covid. During the Covid-19 Pandemic the county paid employees for their time off if they had Covid-19. The Commissioners have not changed that rule; however the employee does need a Covid-19 test for verification.
Andrew Bohnert, Stoddard County Emergency Management Director, was also in attendance. "I will be submitting for reimbursement for paying the COVID cleaners since the budget line item is expended to get reimbursed from the FEMA Public Assistance. The Federal Government will pay 90% this year. Last year it was paid at %100."
"Our siren testing is going well. Advance needs a new control panel. Waiting on the grant to come thru to put in the three new siren warning systems," stated Bohnert. "I sent information to the county attorney Travis Eliot to get the easements done. Just waiting on the grant money and will continue as soon as it comes available."
Bohnert also had the Commissioners fill out an information form for the new Salamander software. Key individuals will have special photo I.D. with a barcode on them for emergencies, but also to help track their hours for reimbursement from FEMA during a catastrophe incident.
Collector Josh Speakman was on hand. He stated he will be on vacation next week.
Just a reminder the 1st day to "Absentee Vote" for November 8, 2022 General Election.
Jarrell made a motion to adjourn at 11:55 a.m. Talkington seconded the motion. All were in favor.
