The Stoddard County Commissioners met at 9 a.m. in a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, October 7, 2024.  Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis opened the meeting with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Old Business

There were plans to move the old generator from the jail to the Justice Center.  A new base would have to be poured.  There will be a moving cost.  This all still needs to be done.  Steve Brown with Brown Construction believes it will fit and has the plans.

New Business

Closed on Monday, October 14th for Columbus Day.  The Commission will meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 15th.

Motion to keep our annual contribution to the employee retirement fund to keep the same for 2025 at 4% paid by the County made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

The Commissioner signed the weekly checks.  This is an every week responsibility of the Commissioners to sign all checks to pay vendors.

Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County Clerk

The Commissioner is not allowed to cast five votes by one person, each person can vote one time at the MAC Convention.  Stoddard County is sending four people therefore they will have only four votes.

In the Monday, September 30th minutes to elect C.D. Stewart to do the voting.

Motion to resend the motion Missouri Association of Counties Meeting (MAC) made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Greg Mathis.  C.D. Stewart abstains.  Two voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to appoint the following office holders as voting delegates to the MAC Meeting C.D. Stewart, Josh Speakman, Jacob Clary, and Cecil Weeks made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Greg Mathis.  C.D. Stewart abstains from voting.  Jarrell and Mathis voted yes and motion passed.

Donnie Lynn Hovis, Jr.  Business Owner, Candidate for the 151st State Representative

I have a few questions to ask today.

1. "Steve Jordan nominated Austin Williams and was then removed I would like to request the minutes from the meeting from when he was voted on."  

2.  "Who do I talk to someone about the Pike Township Board."  Mathis stated, "that is separate from the Commission, we don't have anything to do with their board of directors."

3.  "Minutes on any contracts while Roper Excavating were nominated, voted on, and if they received  and contracts for all of the Townships."  

4.  Hovis stated, "A lot of meetings between Steve Jordan, Cecil Weeks, and Danny Talkington were held.  There should be minutes if two commissioners are meeting and talking there should be minutes. I would like this minutes."   Mathis replied,  "We would need a specific dates in order to get those minutes."

5.  "Explanation of why there was limited minutes for the 3.5 million dollars in CARES Act Covid monies that was distributed to businesses.  Minutes specifically on Heavy Duty Trucking to receive money as he was part owner and also his daughter's business for rent."  Mathis stated, "You can request minutes for that time."

6.  "Everyone that put in for the CARES Act money, everyone that received monies, and anyone that did not get money if they were turned down or applications lost. I want a list of those."

7.  "Steve Jordan's daughter was involved in a hit and run, KFVS12  covered it."  Mathis replied, "If it was a court case you have to go to the court of records.  We as the Commission do not have jurisdiction over that information and court case." 

8.  "Any grievances filed from female employees here against Steve Jordan."  Mathis replied you can file a Sunshine Law Request." (In this reporters opinion, that would be considered personnel issues and that information is not open to the public or media."

9.  "Overage of monies around 3.5 million put into Stoddard County.  it is my understanding $50,000 came out of general revenue fund.  I want to know if that voted on by the commission."  Mathis replied, "I was not here during that time so I don't know, but you can file a Sunshine Law Request with the Clerk's office for that information."

Mr. Hovis thanked everyone for their time and stated he would be putting in several public information requests with the Clerk's office and other offices in the government building. 

Beau Bishop, Stoddard County EMA

Bishop game his report as follows:

1.  Fiscal Year 2023 EMPG Grant came to a close June 30, 2023.  Total reimbursement back to the county was $24,061.21.

2.  Fiscal Year 2024 EMPG Grant application was submitted on June 13, 2024.  State Emergency Management advised for applicants to apply for Salary and Benefits only.  Application submitted for a reimbursement of $35,592.76.  Received official communication from SEMA on September 23, 2024 that a technical review of the application had been conducted and revised with a total reimbursement of $24,422.36.  Application was revised to show amended budget lines, and resubmitted to SEMA for final approval on September 24, 2024.

3.  Siren HMPG Grant Station:  The siren grant for three new storms sirens has been completed and closed out with SEMA.  Original approved budget for project was $175,000 total, with a Federal Share of $157,500 and County Share of $17,500. Actual expenditures for the project were $129,710 total, with a Federal Share of $116,739 and County Share of $12,971.  Stoddard County was reimbursed by SEMA on A

August 8, 2024 for $96,489. and September 4th for $20,250 for the total $116,739.

4. As of September 19, 2024, all EMPG Grant and Stoddard County EMD Job Specified classes/trainings that area required within the First year and Second year of employment were completed.  Sixteen classes required within first year of my employment, nine classes required within the second year of employment.  Certificates are available to submit for all classes.

5.  Currently working with SEMA, FEMA, and Dexter EMD to form a Stoddard County COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster). Initial Kick-off meeting letter is being drafted and a list of potential stakeholders is being compiled for the invitations.  We will be trying to reach out of Organizations, Business's, Schools, Faith Based groups, etc. from all over Stoddard County to form this COAD to be better prepared to offer immediate assistance to those impacted by future disasters in Stoddard County. 

6.  During the SEMA Conference (August 25-29), I attended a one-day session on the CAMEO Chemical Database/Marplot programs. CAMEO Chemical Database can house all the TIER II Hazmat information that Companies have to report to the State.  Once this information is input into the database, it is then merged into the Marplot program which is a GIS base mapping software, and the locations of the Tier II sites are plotted on the map.  This information can be used for situational awareness during a disaster for quickly locating the potential Hazmat problem area within an impacted area.  Stoddard County EMA is part of the Bootheel LEPD.  The Bootheel LEPD currently serves 8 counties.  All 8 counties Tier II information have been entered into CAMEO Chemical Database and plotted in Marplot.

7.  Stoddard County EMA was invited and participated in two Mock Active School Shooter Drills (Dexter and Advance).  EMA was positioned at the Incident Command for both drills providing mapping information and any other help needed.

Other Business:

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

Motion to accept the September 30th regular meeting minutes made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to adjourn at 11:53 a.m. by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Stoddard County Commission meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer over the county by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.

Old Business

SB40 Board - Peter Coutavas was the only person to submit a request to serve on the SB40 Board.   

Motion to appoint Peter Coutavas to the SB40 Board made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Janitorial Position at the Government Building - Letters of interests and resumes have been coming in.  Deadline was at 10 a.m.  Tuesday, October 15th to submit your requests for the position.  The Commissioner did not look at any of the letters of interests and resumes, but have. decided to put that off to the next meeting.

There was no discussion on the Generator being moved to the Justice Center.

New Business

Zach Secoy, an insurance broker, came in to discuss Property Insurance with the Commission.  He represents Arnold Insurance and Rinehart Insurance.

Arnold Insurance Agency, an independent insurance agency of Keystone, is pleased to submit a copy of a proposal for Cape Girardeau County for the Commissioners to review.

“You all only have a few companies that are willing to take a shot at providing insurance,”  stated Secoy.  “There are about five insurance companies that can insure a municipality like yours because of the jail.” 

“We looked at two options, one was to look for a broker or look for insurance agency for pricing.  We are looking for pricing at this point,” stated Commissioner Mathis.

(Sidenote: the Commission voted to place a bid for "Property Insurance including buildings, personal property, and liability coverage. "). THE COMMISSION DID NOT PUT OUT A BID SEEKING BROKERS AT THIS TIME.  Sealed bids must be submitted by 10:00 am on December 9, 2024.  

“Travelers can do a ton of different things like updating an employee handbook and safety trainings, etc," continued Secoy.  "Are you using those services to the best of your ability to drive down that premium?”   The answer is no, the County is not utilizing training or updating the employee handbook to the best of their ability.

“Best to be on the broker side of seeking a new broker that can offer you those services.” stated Secoy.

Their current broker has on numerous occasions offered training and to help update the handbook.  The previous commission (Danny Talkington and Steve Jordan) as well as the current commission have opted not to utilize those services as of yet.

Josh Speakman, Stoddard County Collector/Treasurer

"Just wanted to remind everyone that tax bills are coming out the first of November.  If they have an address change they need to contact us.  January is when the penalties start."

"Also we have received a lot of SB190 applications as well and are going thru them."

There was some discuss between Commission C.D. Stewart and Speakman about Roper Excavating and ditch clean-up in Advance.

Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County Clerk

He reminded everyone that beginning on October 22, 2024 No Excuse Absentee voting begins. The Clerk's office will be open until 6 p.m. October 22nd - 25th and October 28th - November 1.  then on November 2nd they will be open until 5 p.m.   Also the Clerk's office will b open on Saturday, November 2nd from 8 a.m. - Noon for voting purposes.

Other Business:

Mr. Mathis stated he will not be at next Monday's meeting on October 21st, but will be out of town.

Motion to approve the open session meeting minutes from October 7, 2024 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

The Stoddard County Commission had approved $40,000 to Dudley Special Road District from the ARPA funds.  $10,175.20 has been submitted for payment.  It was to purchase gravel.

Motion to pay $10,175.20 to the Dudley Special Road District from the ARPA funds made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion carried.

Mathis stated he received a text message request from Donnie Hovis, Jr. requesting a special meeting with the Commissioners. 

Motion to have a meeting in public session on Thursday, October 9 a.m. with Donnie Hovis made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to adjourn at 12:08 p.m made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Pictured is Zach Secoy passing out broker insurance information to Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.

The Stoddard County Commission meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer for the agriculture community, the county office holders, employees and for those who lost their lives on September 11th and their families who will be remembering the ones they lost.

Upcoming Events

MINGO Open House is Friday, September 13, 2024

Tuesday, September 17th Stoddard County Fair Parade kicks off

Doug Lowery - Duck Creek Township

"Any direction on township with FEMA?" asked Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.

"We actually have a meeting with a FEMA representative to go over things with Duck Creek Township," stated Lowery. "She asked about damages and how much money we were out over the phone."

John Fisher with the New Madrid County Family Resource Center and Southeast Diaper Bank

Proclamation Signing

The Stoddard County Commission meeting began at 9:08 a.m. with a Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.

First on the Agenda on Tuesday, September 3rd was the Ambulance District and the fact they had money reserved for them in ARPA, but have not spent it.  There was approximately $8,000 reserved for them in 2022 for laptops. They have now requested $5,111.05 for their air purification system.  They changed their request from computers that were originally approved by the previous Commission to an air purification system approved by the current Commission.  The ambulance district will not be using about $3,698.00 and this amount will go back into the ARPA funds for other entities.

Motion to approve the payment for their ARPA Request in the amount of $5,111.05 for the Stoddard County Ambulance District (All paperwork is in order) made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

New Business

Clarence Smith, Water District #4

"I have a price for the computers and the printer to request from the ARPA funds," stated Smith. "One is for $4,110. and the other is $1,073 and I am asking for the Commission to  disperse funds to reimburse these expenses."

Mathis stated he would get with Katelyn Lambert at BRPC and see about what we can do.  "We have about $110,000 left in ARPA funds to disperse at the present time and we need to have them committed by the end of the year.."

AREA Interests

MINGO will have their open house on September 13th at 10:00 a.m.

Stoddard County Fair begins September 17th with the parade at 5:30 p.m.

Castor Township Tax Hearing 6 p.m. No change in the tax rate.

Republic Service Open House September 27th from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. with tours and food.

Employee Unused Vacation Policy for Employees

"If you did not use your vacation time you lost it," stated Mathis. "Then two years ago the Commission changed it to the employees could request it two weeks prior to their anniversary date.

"It's not fair to the employees because the employees have failed to ask for it," Mathis said.  "Office holders have failed to communicate the new policy change, some employees have requested it after their anniversary date then we as a Commission have to deny it.  The policy the way it was written was not working out in my opinion.  Not everyone knew of the policy."

Motion to change and update the Unused Vacation Policy to be that the employees will receive their unused vacation time at the anniversary date without having to ask for it made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

In the opinion of this reporter the easiest way to inform all employees as to any policy change within a company is to have each employee sign-off that they have received a copy of the new policy and therefore all employees are made aware of the policy change going forward. 

Motion to go back and pay employees for any unused vacation for the year 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Change in Overtime Policy for Law Enforcement

The Commission discussed in Closed Session the Public Safety Overtime Policy and voted 3-0 to change the handbook and policy.

The new county policy for public safety employee (Dispatch, Jail, Patrol) assigned to work 12 hour shifts will be compensated at 1.5 hourly rate after 84 hours in 14-day work period.  Anyone working 8 or 10 hour shifts will be compensated 1.5 times hourly rate at the 40 hour a week policy.  When working 12 hour shifts you work 36 hours one week then 48 hours the next week which would equal the 84 hours at regular time and not be paid any overtime until after 84 hours. 

Work Period Provision - The FLSA also provides a partial exemption from overtime pay requirements for police officers employed on a work period basis.  A public employer has the option of basing overtime on a work period rather than the 40 hour work week.  This alternative work period is a pre-established and regular recurring period of at least seven but less than 28 consecutive days (29 C.F.R. 553.201).  The length of the work period determines the number of hours after which the police officer is due overtime.  Overtime compensation is required when the ratio of the number of hours worked to the number of days in the work period exceeds the ratio of 171 hours to 28 days (29 C.F.R. 553.230).

No motion was made in regular open session requiring the policy change.  The Closes Session vote stands.

In the opinion of this reporter this subject should have been discussed in Open Session for the public and media to hear and is in direct violation of the Sunshine Law pursuant to MO State Statute 610.021, closed meeting and closed records authorized.

Bridge Replacements

Colter Gaebler with Smith & Co. Engineering sent paperwork to be signed with regards to Co. Road 766 Bridge Project and right away acquisition.  Colter now has all documents signed.  They are ready to move forward with that project and wanting the Commision to sign off and get the funds allocated.  Motion to approve the right away certification statement for Stoddard County Road 766 bridge project made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted and motion passed.

Motion to sign the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Off-System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Supplemental Agreement #1 BRO-R103(076) for Bridge No. 1960010 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.  This document pertains to County Road 766.

Motion to sign the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Off-system Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Supplemental Agreement #1 BRO-R103(75) for Bridge No. 22-2210021 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.  The document pertains to County Road 752.

Trees Around the Courthouse

"We put out a bid and Wright Tree Service did it the last time," William Dowdy, maintenance supervisor stated. "They are Bradford Pairs and there is some type of native tree exchange, but I can check into it."

Heating Unit

"Heating season is coming and we haven't done anything with Roof Top Unit #3," Dowdy commented. "It may break and not work at any time."

Liability and Property Insurance

Commissioner Stewart stated, "I am flexible if we can't get a separate bid then we can just get down to services."

Commissioner Jarrell state, " I would like to stay with what we have.  Mr. Hedrick and his group.  They are local and he already looks each year for the best price."

Motion to seek a Request for Qualification for a Broker for Property and Liability Insurance.  No motion was made the motion died.

Motion to seek bids for Property and Liability Insurance through an agent made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Mathis stated that they will have a legal notice typed up and ready to approve on Monday, September 9, 2024 at the Commission meeting.  The Bid Opening will be November 4, 2024 at 10 a.m.  during the Commission meeting.

"What is the difference between a broker and an agent for insurance in this case," asked Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times. "Only Hedrick and his group can get a quote from Traveler's Insurance, correct?"  Stewart stated that is correct.  There are only three companies willing to insure the County due to the size of the jail and previous claims.  Now an agent can put in a quote for the other two that he/she might represent.

SB40 Board Member

Senate Bill 40 for a Board Member notice was not in the Dexter Statesman so the Commission has changed the date to September 16th as the deadline.  Mathis noted it should be in the paper this week and next week.  Peter Coutavas has submitted a letter of intent to serve on the SB40 Board.  According to Commissioner C.D. Stewart, Herman Morse has given a verbal to Wayne Jean that he is interested in being on the board.

Johnson Grass Board

Two people put in their names to be on the Johnson Grass Board. Doug Lowery of Puxico and Dee Loflin of Dexter both requested in writing to be on the Johnson Grass Board. 

Mathis stated he would not vote for Dee Loflin because she is media and the other board members would be concerned with what could be said and printed in a paper. It is noted the board has never met or at least not met in years.  It is also noted that all meetings would be open to the public and the media.  Closes session to media would only be if litigation/lawsuit involving the Johnson Grass Board or personnel issues which they have zero employees.  Therefore the press could be at those meetings. Both candidates are well qualified however.

Motion to appoint Doug Lowery on the Johnson Grass Board made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Other Business

John McCarty, with the health insurance, has requested to be here in person and go over the insurance in closed session.  Mathis stated that September 16th Mr. McCarty will be here to discuss health insurance claims in Closed Session at 11 a.m.

Motion to accept the regularly scheduled meeting minutes from August 26, 2024 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C. D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to accept the closed session meeting minutes from August 26, 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

With no other business a motion to enter into Closed Session at 11:10 a.m. for Legal purposed according to Statute 610,021 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.