The Stoddard County Commission began at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer from Presiding Commission Greg Mathis over our County.
"Katelyn you are first on the list this morning," commented Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.
Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission/ARPA Funds
"We have three draw downs on approved funds from the ARPA account," stated Lambert.
1 Bell City Fire Department was approved for ARPA funds for $3,039.33 for building of their new fire department building.
Motion to reimburse Bell City Fire Department the amount of $3,039.33 made by. Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
2. Stoddard County EMA - They were approved for $61,560.00 for reimbursement for the radios. "I just need a copy of the cancelled check so we can that monies reimbursed out of ARPA," Lambert said.
Motion to pay Battles Communications for the EMA radios in the amount of $61,560.00 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
3. Water District #2 - "I do have a copy of the invoice and the cancelled check; however the money originally selling them the meters has sold their company to Mid South MTR and also located in Hot Spring Arkansas. The transaction occurred on October 16, 2023. It is still the sole source procurement, just a different company now. They are requesting $69,357.98 in ARPA funds that have already been allocated.
Motion to reimburse Water District #2 $69,357.98 from ARPA funds for water meters made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Dudley Special Road District - "They are going to create and official letter to request funds for gravel in the amount of about $40,000," commented Lambert. "They should send an email or bring in an official request for ARPA Funds shortly."
City of Advance - Looking to purchase a camera for their sewer district. They wanted to move $11,500 of ARPA funds to purchase this camera.
Motion to approve Dudley Special Road District in the amount of $40,000 from ARPA funds to be used for infrastructure made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed. The reason for requesting this money was due to the fact that the .35 road levy having failed at the April 2023 Municipal Election. Their road district lost a potential $80,000 in revenue in 2023. The road levy did pass on the 2024 Municipal Election so going forward they will have money coming in to help repair eroding ditches, roads and areas around bridges.
The Stoddard County Commission received $5,637,766.00 in ARPA funds. To date they have $86,651.75 that are not committed funds to anyone. The funds must be used for infrastructure.
Bid Opening for 20 Digital Radio Repeaters for the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department at 10 a.m.
Motion to enter into the Bid Opening Meeting at 10:04 a.m. for the 20 Digital Radio Repeaters for Stoddard County Sheriff's Department made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes.
One bid was sent in from Battles Communications. $91,800.00 for Pyramid VHF Vehicular Repeaters. Each radio was $4,590.00.
Andy Holden from the Sheriff's Department and Sheriff Carl Hefner reviewed the bid documents during the meeting and agreed that the specs were the same as they requested.
Motion to accept the bid from Battles Communications in the amount of $91,800 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.
Motion to close the Bid Opening meeting at 10:29 a.m. made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.
Other Business
Cecil Weeks, County Clerk, distributed the Earthquake Insurance quote for the Commission to review.
Currently Traveler's Insurance taps out at 2.5 million in claims with a 1 million deductible. The Leavitt Group (formerly County Wide Insurance) submitted a quote for Earthquake insurance above the Traveler's Insurance as they already broker with the County. This is a supplemental insurance to coincide with Traveler's Insurance. Cost is $149,680.00 with a 5% deductible for 23 million dollars in coverage in addition to the regular coverage..
Motion to accept the proposal from the Leavitt Group for Earthquake Insurance in the amount of $149,680.00 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Greg Mathis. Commissioner C.D. Stewart voted no, Carol Jarrell voted yes, and Greg Mathis voted no. The motion did not pass. The Commission will NOT be getting addition coverage for Earthquake Insurance up to 23 million to cover the cost of replacing the government buildings.
Motion to accept the minutes for April 15, 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to attach the copy of the April 15th minutes to the April 1st minutes showing there was an amendment made on that date made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the closed session minutes for April 15, 2025 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to adjourn at 11:19 a.m. made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commission Carol Jarrell. Both voted yes as Mr. Mathis left the meeting about 10 minutes early.
