The Stoddard County Commissioners began their weekly meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.
Loyd Rice, GoSEMO Fiber and SEMO Electric
"Go SEMO Fiber has applied for the BEAD Funding to fill in some of the donut holes that we haven't already built and as part of that process we have to have a letter from a County government agency. This is the template for the letter," commented Loyd Rice, GoSEMO Fiber. "Anyone unserved or underserved in Stoddard County will not get internet." The award will be early spring or summer for the grant.
The Broadband, Equity, Access & Deployment Program (BEAD)1 provide federal funding to make grants to Eligible Entities for broadband, planning, deployment, mapping, equity, and adoption projects and activities.
Motion to sign the approve the application of support from SEMO Electric from the office of BEAD to expand fiberoptic network within Stoddard County made by Commission Carrol Jarrell, seconded by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed. Commission C.D. Stewart is absent as he is attending the Missouri Association of Counties Conference.
Disability Parking
A concerned citizen contacted Mr. Mathis about the Disability Parking near the Justice Center due to the fact there are no signs designating the parking areas also the lines need to be painted. Mr. Mathis stated he will get the county maintenance person on this and get a sign ordered.
Alisha Trammell, Dexter Chambers of Commerce
"Our County has been designated a Work Ready Community and received this award," stated Alisha Trammell, Dexter Chamber of Commerce Director.
The Work Ready Community is a national incentive for workforce with education.
"Hillary Starnes, a previous director of the Chamber, had started this, then COVID came, and then I have completed the process." continued Trammell.
National Conference was in Atlanta, Georgia. The Workforce Development in Cape Girardeau picked up the award for Mrs. Trammel as she was unable to attend. Mr. Mathis sits on the board for Workforce Development
"We have created an ad promotional video for Dexter and received funding for this and used a local videographer to produce the video," commented Trammell. "Missouri Farmer's Care, the Dexter Chamber, and Missouri Department of Economic Development all provided to the video.
Cal-Maine held a one day hiring event. About 100 positions were open with 425 people coming in to apply. "Cal-Maine had about 15-20 people doing the interviews," Trammell said. "I think it went very well." Hatchery will get eggs on December 9th. 1.2 - 1.4 millions eggs per day will be processed thru this plan. "Several growers have been retrofitted to begin selling the eggs to Cal-Maine," stated Trammell. "That good for our local farmers."
Mrs. Trammell stated that there was approximately 10,400 people in the downtown area a Fall Fest, an event recently held in Dexter.
William Dowdy, Stoddard County Maintenance
Roof Top Unit #3 was installed in 2002 when the Justice Center and Courtroom opened. It does not have a dehumidifier. This is the original unit and is 22 years old.
Motion to put out a Bid Sheet to purchase/replace and install the Roof Top Unit #3 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Beau Bishop, EMA Director
Mathis called Sandy Smith during them meeting and asked about adding the 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe that the EMA Director. He has been driving and Smith will now add this vehicle to the auction on December 7th.
Bishop will be on vacation from December 30th - January 3rd and will not be available.
Other Business:
Motion to accept the Closed Session Minutes from November 18, 2024 made by Commission Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Greg Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the Open Session Minutes from November 18, 2024 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Greg Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to Adjourn at 11:58 a.m. made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Greg Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
