Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer for the family of Darren Dixon, those that are serving in Poland with the 1221st Transportation unit out of Dexter, and for the office holders and the decisions they will make this week. Also for the cooler weather today and those candidates that are out campaigning.
Advance Ditch Digging
Mr. C.D. Stewart, Commissioner told the group that the southeast and going up to 25 highway has already been done. The main ditch was stopped off the trees as well. These are ditch cleanups of Ditch #1333 and #14. "Looks like they are getting the job done," commented Stewart.
SB190 Senior Tax Credit on Personal Property Taxes in Stoddard County, Missouri
There was much discussion about the application process and hot to implement to the citizens of Stoddard County for the Senior Citizen Tax Credit. "It is up to the Commission as to ask these questions of citizens," commented Josh Speakman, County Collector/Treasurer. "You have to decide as to whether or not you want to ask for social security numbers, if you want their signature notarized, if you only except the applications in-house or mailed in vis USPS, etc."
"It's really up to the Commission what records do you want the collector to have on file to do the proper research on each applicant," Speakman stated. "We will scan all applications and have not just a paper file, but also an electronic copy as well."
"I think we should the application process from September 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025," continued Speakman.
Stoddard County Real Estate Tax Lien Auction
The Stoddard County Tax Auction will be held on the 4th Monday in August. The Collector's office has sent out certified letters to those people who owe money for Real Estate Taxes and have to be more than 2 years delinquent.
Personal and Real Estate Property Taxes
Speakman spoke at the City of Puxico alderman meeting about the benefits and cons of the Speakman assuming the responsibility of collecting the taxes on behalf of their city. Bell City also reached out to Speakman about the same service he can provide to their city.
Essex Special Paving Project
Speakman noted that there is $18,000 sitting in the Essex Special Paving Project account and has not been used. Mathis stated he will reach out to the current board members and let them know.
Speakman did stated that the Commission could use MO State Statute 50.020 to put the money back into general revenue if they choose not to use the monies.
"We have 8 or 9 total line items of about $10,000 where we do not know the location of ditches. We can easily transfer that money into general revenue. These ditches were created in the early 1900s and there are no maps to speak of to figure out where this money is supposed to go and has just been sitting in that line item for as least three collectors," commented Speakman.
Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith
Smith brought in some invoices from their case management system that have not been paid. Apparently the PA paid 2019 and 2022, but owes for 2020, 2021 and 2023. This year has also been paid.
The amount owed is $2,800 total and invoices were given to the Commission. The invoices were 2020 for $500, 2021 for $500, 2023 for $1,800.
Motion to pay these past due invoices made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion carried.
Carl Hefner, Stoddard County Sheriff's Department
Mr. Hefner stated he would like to use Stellar Services LLC for the inmate banking and commissary products. This would be a new contract with this service. The inmates can purchase items such as toiletries, shampoo, candy, clothing, etc online from this company and have it delivered to the Stoddard County Jail.
Motion to use Stellar Services, LLC beginning September 1, 2024 made by Stewart, seconded by Mathis. Both voted yes and motion carried. Mrs. Carol Jarrell had to leave the meeting early for another appointment.
Other Business
An invoice for the Juvenile Detention Maintenance renewal was presented. This is an annual cost of $3,936 and a motion on floor by Jarrell, seconded by Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
An email was received from Jennifer Hall at MoDOT. This letter is to inform Stoddard County of a proposed Scenic Byway application submitted by the Ozark Run Scenic Byway Group. The 2024 Expansion includes 250 miles of Missouri roadways encompassing several counties including Stoddard. Missouri State Statute 226.797 requires the Missouri Department of Transportation to contact all affected communities to request zoning information for the area identified within the science application.
The byway will follow routes 172, W, KK, and T to pass around the Wappapello area. Turning north at Puxico, the sprint follows Rout 51, H, FF, and then 51 again to reach Marble Hill.
Points of interest in Puxico will be Casa Lopez Mexican Restaurant, Hunt Brothers Pizza, Puxico Bar, Southern Barrel Bar and Grill, Spoon & Spout, and the Midway.
Mathis gave a copy to Peter Coutavas who was in attendance. He is an alderman for the City of Puxico.
Many entities are against the scenic byway, Mr. Mathis said which included Farm Bureau and many land owners. A letter will have to go out possibly or at least in the newspapers to inform the public and a public forum will have to be announced at a future date.
Motion to accept the Minutes for the regular session on June 24, 2024 made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to adjourn at 11:11 a.m. and enter into a closed session regarding personnel made by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
