The Stoddard County Commission meeting began with a prayer by Presiding Greg Mathis and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jim Mayo - Stars and Stripes Museum/Stoddard County Historical Society.
"In 1964 we organized the Stoddard County Historical Society," commented Mayo. "We purchased the old General Baptist Church and put our museum in there. Over the years we have had to put a roof on it and do other things like fix the basement. We had to sell the old church because the floor was going out and we did sell the church to Bloomfield Schools. They have since torn it down and built a park lot."
"We bought another church and put a new roof on it, but the floor was also falling through so we got another building downtown, but we have a young lady wanting to rent it," continued Mayo. "Do you have any ideas where we can relocate our museum. We have a lot of papers, important historical papers."
"Is there anyway the County can help us out?" asked Mayo. "We want to stay as close to the Courthouse as we can. We are just asking if you all have any ideas or any vacancies?"
Mathis asked, "Is this for just storage or for opening to the public?"
Mayo went on to explain that the membership is getting old and we want to get it set up to turn over to the younger people. We are getting in a bind to find a location.
"We need a place for storage at this time with heat/air." stated Mrs. Sue Mayo. "We have a lot of cemetery books that were printed in 1992 and lots of paper that needs to be stored."
"We have a good history and we should preserve it," Jim Mayo went on to explain. "We need to preserve it. History grows every day and we are trying to save it. It is time for our younger people to take it over, but we want to make it strong for them."
"I think the upstairs of the courthouse would be a good spot," stated Mayo. "The old courthouse would be a great place for the history. Of course we would like to put an elevator in if we open it as a museum.
Commissioner Mathis stated that there is storage area; however it a little messy right now, but he would have to discuss it with some other elected officials as they store important documents in there as well. He would get back to Mr. Mayo as to whether or not that was a viable option.
Josh Speakman, County Collector/Treasurer
Speakman discussed drainage districts and ditches that need to be cleaned out specifically in the Advance area. Those ditches in question are #1333 and #14. The Commission and Mr. Speakman discussed several ideas and would form a game plan to help with the drainage of those two ditches.
There is monies available. Per Missouri State Statute 243.260 they can combine monies to help eliminate or improve the drainage in these ditches by performing some type of clean-out.
Per MO State Statute 243.260 - Districts may contract with other districts for outlets - cost determined, how. - Drainage districts organized or incorporated under this chapter may contract with each other, and with districts organized and incorporated under any other law of this state or under the laws of other states, for such outlet or outlets as the one may need and the other can furnish on such terms as may be deemed to be just and fair. The cost of obtaining such outlet or outlets to be paid as other expenses of the district for making improvements. If the districts cannot agree upon the compensation to be paid for the outlet, the district supplying the outlet, by action in the circuit court of the county wherein the district for which the outlet is supplied is organized, may recover from such district fair and just compensation for supplying the outlet. Any compensation received by the district shall be applied to improving its ditches or levees or reducing taxation or indebtedness.
Ads and Abates were postponed until next week.
Motion to accept the regular meeting minutes from January 8, 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and minutes approved.
On Thursday, Budget Hearing will be at 9 a.m. for one hour per Commissioner Mathis.
Motion to enter into closed session at 11:03 a.m. made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell and seconded by Commissioner C.D.Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
