The Stoddard County Commission began their regular meeting with a prayer over the county and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Budget Hearing
While the Budget Hearing was in process, Commissioner Carol Jarrell made the comment that the Public Hearing Notice was not in the Dexter Statesman on January 10th as required by law.
"I reached out to the Attorney General's office and said that they could not give an opinion," commented Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis. "They stated they would reach out to the other office within the Attorney General's office and get clarification. We did proceed to approve the budget as no one come in and asked any questions about the budget."
"If anything else needs to be done we will do that," stated Mathis. "The Budget was approved and passed."
Rebecca Gratton, City Clerk for the City of Dudley
Gratton produced a "Letter to request ARPA Funds" from the Mayor of the city of Dudley, Lucille Mullins.
"We have been working with Katelyn Lambert, of the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission," stated Gratton. "This request is for water meters."
The 3 bids included in the letter:
IMCO - $62,524.05 - does not include installation, system training, or plastic lids for the meter boxes.
Midwest Meter - $55,570.00 - Includes installation, system training and plastic lids for the meter boxes. These items are necessary fore the city to ensure the proper installation.
Core & Main - $46,238.62 - Does not include installation, system straining, or plastic lids for the meter boxes, but does offer software training.
The letter goes on to say that replacing their water meters is not just a necessary expense, but also a strategic investment in the future of Dudley. "This project will have a positive impact on residents, environment, and the city's financial well-being. We are confident that funding this initiative aligns with Stoddard County's commitment to supporting infrastructure improvements and sustainable water resource management within its communities."
On the detailed spreadsheet from previous year, the City of Dudley, was not on the initial listing. The paperwork had been misfiled. Loflin of SthowMe Time and Lamber of BRPC found the paperwork while auditing the files. It was unfortunate that the city of Dudley did not get approved for funding sooner.
Motion to accept and approved the funding of $55,570.00 to be paid to the city of Dudley for water meter replacement made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Mathis instructed Gratton to turn in the invoices etc to Katelyn Lambert as soon as possible and then a check could be processed.
Old Business:
Motion to accept the December Ads and Abates made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
2024 Budget Appropriation Order must be signed within 5 days after approving the budget by the Commission. It will need to be sent into the Missouri State Auditors office.
Motion to sign the 2024 Budget Appropriation Order made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Stewart. All three votes yes and motion passed.
You can find the requirements RSMO 51 - 60 online if you are interested in running or just want to see what the qualifications are for each elected official.
Cecil Weeks, County Clerk - Election 2024
Filing for County offices start at 8 a.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2024 and ends on March 26th at 5 p.m. in the Clerk's Office.
Public Administrator, Sheriff, Collector/Treasurer, Coroner, Associate Commissioner District 1, Associate Commissioner District 2, Assessor and Surveyor for Stoddard County are all positions that will be on the ballot in the primary in August 2024.
Township County Committee man or Committee Woman Republican Central Committee and Democratic Central Committee - cost is $100 to the committee
Motion to accept the meeting minutes from January 16, 2024 made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the closed session meeting minutes from January 16th made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the minutes from the budget hearing from January 18th made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to enter into Closed Session at 10:57 made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
