The Stoddard County Commissioners met in a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. Monday was the Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Day holiday so they chose to move the meeting to Tuesday.
Update Stoddard County Employee Health Insurance
All health insurance insurance bids from the five brokers the commissioners had already chosen must be in by 4 p.m. today, Tuesday, October 11, 2022. Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. there will be a Bid Opening meeting, Bid Opening meetings are open to the public. Unfortunately the Commissioners will not be able to meet in their regular room due to scheduled training for the upcoming November election. The meeting room they have available is too small to have all the insurance representative to attend at the same time.
"I anticipate it's going to take us a few days to break it down and we may need further information. We may need to talk with you (the insurance representatives) so we can make a good comparison. It just may take us a few days," Commissioner Talkington explained. "I am not as knowledgeable of all the insurance terms you all use in everyday life."
"We will have to meet individually with each insurance company to go over everything. There may not be enough detail for a novus person. I will have to ask several questions," continued Talkington.
"I have met with Cecil Weeks, County Clerk, several times and he is pretty knowledgeable of the insurance and would be a good asset as he knows the terminology." stated Beth Johnson with Mitchell Insurance.
"Our goal is to make the final decision on October 24, 2022 as we have to notify our current insurance broker by November 1, 2022 or this is all for not." stated Talkington.
Members of SoutheastHEALTH were on hand to let the Commissioners know how dedicated and committed they are to this community. They have new and exciting ventures coming that will be announced soon.
Charlie Kruse of Dexter serves as a system board member for SoutheastHEALTH and said, "I don't know a lot of the insurance terminology either, but serving on this board has given me a greater awareness of how grateful we are to have not only an emergency room, but this hospital as well."
David Andraus and Ron Jones with Mutual Medical Insurance out of Peoria, Illinois presented their proposal for county employee health insurance.
Update on Water District #5
Ivan Bostic joined the meeting. He is a concerned citizen and is here today to discuss the Water District #5. He wanted to know what was going on with Water District #5.
"They have been sending out water bills. They got the meters read and mailed bills on Thursday, October 6, 2022. Bills should hit the mailboxes today (October 11th) due to the holiday yesterday. They are conducting business. A couple of old board members are looking to appoint some new board members," stated Commissioner Danny Talkington.
"I think we need to do something more to get them a board," commented Commissioner Jarrell.
"We do not have the authority," stated Commissioner Talkington
"I have talked to Dave Cooper and Debbie Robey and they both are willing to serve. Debbie gave me two names that would also like to serve Dough O'Neil and Judy Geary," Jarrell said. "We need to get a board. I want to make a motion and appoint these two people. I may be stepping out of bounds, but we need to do something for those people in that water district."
"We don't have the authority," commented Commissioner Talkington.
"I am making that motion and I may be stepping out of my lane, but I have made the motion." stated Commissioner Jarrell. "Something needs to be done."
Motion made by Carol Jarrell to appoint Debbie Robey and Dave Cooper to Water District #5. Talkington seconded the motion. Call for the vote. Carol Jarrell yes. Danny Talkington voted no. The motion did not pass. With Steve Jordan, not available, as a commissioner and only two commissioners available, the Presiding Commissioner has the final say.
"We do not have the authority to appoint any board member to Water District #5," commented Talkington. "I have been told by both Travis Elliot and Alvin Shrader, Missouri attorneys, that the commissioners could not appoint a board of any kind for the Water District #5. This also falls under Mo Fire and Water State Statutes."
This reporter asked Mr. Talkington then who does appoint the board and Talkington said the Circuit Clerk Judge.
I replied, " So Brandy Ross, the only remaining board member, needs to talk with Judge Rob Mayer."
Talkington said yes, I have told her she will have to petition Judge Mayer to appoint a board for Water District #5.
In Other Business:
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to accept the minutes from Monday, October 3, 2022. Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes.
In those minutes they approved the Qualifications (RFQ) from Conexon Engineering Firm to provide our engineering services for the broadband fiber for the Puxico School District of Stoddard County. Engineering firms submitting a RFQ and not selected are Utilisource, RuCon and CT&T.
Also approved were the minutes from September 26, 2022 as well as the Investment Policy for Stoddard County as presented by the Stoddard County Collector/Treasurer.
Motion was made to approve the Adds and Abates for September 1st - September 30th, 2022 by Commissioner Jarrell. Seconded by Commissioner Talkington. Call for the vote, Jarrell yes, Talkington yes. Motion passed.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to adjourn at 12:44 p.m. Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yet.
