The Stoddard County Commission meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Alligience by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.

New Lisbon Township, Terry Bates

The Soybean Association has requested $12,000 returned after it was determined the the use of the money was not compatible with the requirements of its use. The money was to be for bridge repair in the New Lisbon Township. 

The county asked if the money could be used for a box culvert replacement. It will go toward the box culvert along with $48,000 0f the original $120,000 ARPA fund request. The commission released the $48,000 for the replacement of the box culvert.

Water District #2, Bill Knoderer Secretary/Treasurer

"I have here to ask for $100,000 from ARPA funding.  I have a copy of the bid for the metering system as well as a bid from MRWA for the software billing system," stated Bill Knoderer, Water District #2 Treasurer/Secretary.  

"Water District #2 needs a complete upgrade our metering system and software billing system," stated Knoderer.  They also need to have MRWA do a rate study.  They haven't  increased rates until last month because it did not have a cap on it."How many feet of pipes do you supply?" asked Presiding Greg Mathis.  "Do you pump your own water?  Do you have your own treatment plant?"

"We have 40,000 feet of line in the ground of which goes about 2 miles outside of Bell City up through Painton and Perkins, all the way up to Randalls.  It covers water meters in both Scott and Cape Counties as well." commented Knoderer.  

Presiding commissioner Greg Mathis said the estimates will be given to Katelyn Lambert with Bootheel Regional planning. Lambert will consult with the legal team and determine if the project can be covered by the ARPA funds. Lambert said there may also be some grants to assist with this project as well.

Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission

"I met on Friday with Lambert to get the annual report completed for ARPA Funds," stated Mathis. "I was unable to log in."

The old Administrators for the log in are Josh Speakman, Stoddard County Collector, and Danny Talkington former Stoddard County Presiding Commission.  Mathis was unable to log in at that time so the idea is to get Speakman to help with getting him on the log in.  They were able to complete the report and submit.

Currently if the Commission were to disburse all ARPA funds requested they would be in the red in the amount of $218,951.00.. However, some entities who have applied for ARPA funds have applied for grants. If these grants are awarded additional ARPA funds could be freed up. The County received $5,637,766.00 in ARPA money in 2021 and 2022. To date the Commissioners have paid out $607,829.38. 

The city of Advance and Bell City are also looking at getting CDGB grants and that may free up some of the ARPA funding.

The Commissioner voted in 2022 to add interest back quarterly from the money market accounts.  To date $65,248.14 have been added from interest.

Originally the interest on the ARPA money was placed into general revenue and not back into the ARPA account.  Commissioner Jarred fought to put the money back into the ARPA account.

Motion to release $450,000 of ARPA Funds to the city of Bloomfield to update their sewer lines made by Jarrell.  Seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes.  This request was made on March 6, 2023.  

Motion to approve $247,000 of ARPA Funds for Water District #4 made by Jarrell.  Seconded by C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes.  Motion passed.  The request was made August 30, 2021.

Motion to approve $48,000 for New Lisbon which was requested on March 27, 2023 to replace a box culvert made by C.D. Stewart. Seconded by Jarrell.

Update on the Generator

We have received a reply from HMN.  The Commissioners will have to have a meeting to discuss further legal action.

Clock Update

No update on the clock.  

Old Pharmacy Building

Mathis has contacted a HVAC company to see what is wrong with the system and see if it can be fixed.  A new boutique and potentially a coffee shop might be going in that building as well.

Opioid Money and Reporting Update

Mathis and Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County Clerk, met on March 31, 2023 and signed the necessary paperwork for reporting the funds received on behalf of the county.   The county was awarded monies as part of a legal settlement.

The Commission went into a closed session around 11:15 a.m. no further details on what time the meeting ended or if they went back into regular session at this time.