The Stoddard County Commissioner Meeting was held on Monday, May 6, 2024.  Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer over Stoddard County, Missouri.

John McCarty - Employee Health Insurance Update

"The goal for your claims is typically 80%," stated McCarty. "This will keep you in the trend renewal.  If you go over that then you are dipping into your claims fund.  You ran 78% last year." stated McCarty.

"Here is the 1st Quarter Report.  We watch these trends, but we always run a little behind on our report," commented McCarty.  "January - March report you are running 123%. We are drastically over that 80%. We are spending more on claims than we want to see.  We know what is causing this, but I can't talk about it in an open meeting."

"About 1/3 of the people seek out mental health/depression issues are actually doing that.  Our group is drastically happier than what we are seeing in the state of Missouri, which means they are seeking out that help.."  

Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis said, "The. County is still putting more in the reserve than we are spending, so we should be in good shape."

"We have a very low deductible of $500," stated Mathis. "Do you think people are utilizing the insurance more because of that low deductible?"  McCarty said, "No.  You just have a few high claims in the first quarter."

"Stop loss is $35,000 for each employee with an aggregate in the policy as well.  So if the employee's bills are $1 million the county will pay the $35,000 then the insurance company picks up the rest in theory."

There was more discussion about insurance, but basically the County is putting in more money than they are spending as they are self insured. They will take a look at the second quarter and see how the claims are proceeding.

Colton Gablear, Smith and Company Engineers

CR 766 Bridge Replacement for Stoddard County, MO March 2024 and CR 752 Bridge Replacement for Stoddard County, MO March 2024 update.

"We have a sub consultant working for us and getting right-away clearance, etc.  Then we will be able to bid out the bridges.  Might be August before we can bid out the bridges."

Audrain County, Missouri would like to sell $100,000 of Soft Match Credit for $.50 on the dollar to Stoddard County, Missouri.  Cost would be $50,000.  

Motion to approve the. purchase of $100,000 in Soft Match Credit from Audrain County (Mexico, MO) in the amount of $50,000. Made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

BRO Funds are set aside by MoDOT and can pay up to 89%, the County has to pay the last 11%.  The County can purchase Soft Match Credit from other counties.

Motion to approve the certification of plans and estimates of BRO 103 076 Stoddard County Road 752 Bridge Replacement, Railroad Impact Statement and Letter of Certification of Utility Status made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to approve the certification of plans  and estimates of BRO R-103 075 Stoddard County Road Road 766 Bridge Replacement, Railroad Impact Statement and Letter of Certification of Utility Status made by Commission C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Josh Speakman, Stoddard County Treasure/Collector - SB 190 Update

The Commissioners will set a date for a forum to discuss SB 190 Senior Property Tax Credit on Monday, June 3, 2024. Letter to the school districts as well as put in the newspaper. The Commissioners will meet with the public, but will not make a decision on that particular day.  They will review all the input from the public.  Teachers and railroad employees are excluded.  

Here is the SB 190 as written.

SS/SB 190 - This act modifies provisions relating to the taxation of seniors.

PROPERTY TAX CREDIT

This act authorizes a county to grant a property tax credit to eligible taxpayers residing in such county, provided such county has adopted an ordinance authorizing such credit, or a petition in support of such credit is delivered to the governing body of the county and is subsequently submitted to and approved by the voters, as described in the act.

Eligible taxpayers are defined as residents who: 1) are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits; 2) are the owner of record of or have a legal or equitable interest in a homestead; and 3) are liable for the payment of real property taxes on such homestead.

The amount of the property tax credit shall be equal to the difference between the real property tax liability on the homestead in a given year minus the real property tax liability on such homestead in the year in which the taxpayer became an eligible taxpayer.

A credit granted pursuant to this act shall be applied when calculating the eligible taxpayer's property tax liability for the tax year. The amount of the credit shall be noted on the statement of tax due sent to the eligible taxpayer by the county collector.

The amount of property tax credits authorized by a county pursuant to this act shall be considered tax revenue actually received by the county for the purposes of calculating property tax levies. (Section 137.1050)

This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 247 (2023) and is substantially similar to SB 715 (2022) and to a provision in SS/SCS/SB 133 (2023), as amended, SS/SB 540 (2023), as amended, and SS#2/SCS/SB 649 (2022).

RETIREMENT BENEFITS INCOME TAX DEDUCTION

Current law allows taxpayers with certain filing status and adjusted gross income below certain thresholds to deduct 100% of certain retirement and Social Security benefits from the taxpayer's Missouri adjusted gross income, with a reduced deduction as the taxpayer's adjusted gross income increases. For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, this act allows the maximum deduction to all taxpayers regardless of filing status or adjusted gross income. (Sections 143.124 and 143.125)

These provisions are identical to SB 448 (2023), SB 241 (2023), HB 662 (2023), HB 1206 (2023), SB 871 (2022), HB 2853 (2022), SB 157 (2021), SB 847 (2020), and HB 1725 (2020), and to provisions in HCS/SB 247 (2023), and are substantially similar to SB 585 (2023), HB 156 (2023), and HB 456 (2023), and to provisions in HCS/SS#3/SCS/SB 131 (2023).

Other Business:

Letter from Katelyn Lambert from the City of Essex for $50,000.00.  

Motion to send the letter for the CDBG Grant for their paving project made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to accept the regular meeting minutes April 29, 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to approve the April Ads/Abates by Josh Speakman, County Collector/Treasurer made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to accept the Closed Session Minutes for April 29, 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.

Received a notice of the retirement of Mandy Clary.  The Commission will need to advertise for Janitorial Services. They will also get a job description together to advertise for the position.

Stoddard County Commission go into closed session at 11:08 a.m. made by Commissioner C .D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.