The Stoddard County Commissioner began their meeting at 9 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.  Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis introduced the new Commissioner Wes Howard.

Elk Township

Elk Township has requested funds from the LATCF. This money was committed to bridge repair.  LATCF stands for Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund.   

"Annual reports are required until all funds are expended. Reports will include information on current and cumulative obligations and expenditures, along with a certification that no funds were used for lobbying purposes."

The Commissioner will look into this in the 2025 year.

William Dowdy, Maintenance Manager of the Stoddard County Buildings

"I checked with William on the roads and parking lots," stated Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.  "I had William and my son, put out salt everywhere. So no news is good news, right? I didn't send out a text for people to come to work.  I didn't want to wake them."

MU Extension Chris Rowland

Mr. Rowland passed out the budge for the MU Extension office. 

"Anything different than last year's budget?" asked Mathis.

"The Secretary got a $1.00 raise per hour and 4-H Assistant Pay went up.  Also we have applied for a grant for that pay, but we won't know for a month." stated Rowland.

4-H enrollment is up to 13 clubs and over 400 students.  77 soil tests, helped 120 people get their private pesticide license. Nutrition Specialist Jeanie Huey did Health Classes in Puxico, Richland, Bell City schools, and other schools with over 5,000 contacts.

Former Commissioner Carol Jarrell had been a representative from the County Commissioners MU Extension.

Motion to appoint Wes Howard as the commission representative for the MU Extension Council made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.  Wes Howard abstains.  Both voted yes and motion passed. 

They meet on the last Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

Castor River

"They have done a lot of work clearing out Castor River," commented Mathis.  They have completed about 10 miles out of 37 miles and it is a two year project.  C.D. Stewart gave a little update on the clean-out of Castor River banks.  

Budget and Pay

The only two departments that have not turned in their budgets are Juvenile Detention and the Prosecuting Attorney per Cecil Weeks.

Salaries - Cost of Living or a percentage increase across the board for everyone.  "Only one person has come to me," stated Mathis. "That person said only the hourly employees should get increases and not office holders."

Stewart and Howard are looking at 2.5% and Mathis is thinking 3.5%.  3.5% is one percent over social security increase for this year.  There was much discussion over benefits which is very lucrative compared to other businesses in Stoddard County.  The base salary might be a little lower compared to some businesses.

Motion approves the salary increase of employees and elected officials at 3.5% made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Wes Howard.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

$17.33 is the base pay except sheriff's department they are hired in at a higher rate.  The new base pay will be $17.93 however offices do not have to start at that base salary.

Motion to set the Budget Hearing at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Wes Howard.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

"Post an agenda for the days we will be working on the budget, today at 1 p.m., January 7th at 9:30 a.m., January 13th 9 a.m. during regular meeting and 14th at 9:30 a.m.," stated Mathis.

Other Business

Motion to approve the regular meeting minutes for December 30th made by C.D. Stewart, seconded by Greg Mathis.  Howard abstained as he was not Commissioner yet. Both voted yes and motion passed.  

Motion to accept the Bid Opening Meeting minutes from December 30th made by C.D. Stewart, seconded by Greg Mathis.  Howard abstained as he was not Commissioner yet Both voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to accept the minutes from Tuesday, December 31st for the budget amendments made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Greg Mathis.  Howard abstained as he was not Commissioner yet Both voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to adjourn at 11:53 a.m. and readjourn at 1 p.m. to work on the budget made by Commissioner Wes Howard, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Presiding Commissioner asked everyone to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer over the county.

The Commissioner failed to address the other two individuals on the Johnson Grass Board when they appointed Doug Lowery.  When they received a letter in the mail from the Agriculture Dept requesting they re-appoint the other individuals.

Motion to re-appoint Ronnie Elsworth and Matt Nichols to the Johnson Grass Board made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County Clerk

Misc Fund is actually the Private Car Tax Fund.  All the railroad cars that come thru the town of Dexter has a tax on it.  The Financial Institution Tax from the courts also goes into that Misc. Fund.

Mr. Weeks distributes the monies to the schools within the county.  The auditor suggested that the Commissioners change the name of the fund from Misc. Fund to the Private Car Tax Fund. $3,315.00.

Motion to rename Misc Fund 16 on the Stoddard County Budget to the Private Car Tax Fund made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Fund #5 County Farm Line Item on the Stoddard County Budget

According to Commissioner Stewart there is $27,810.00 is in the fund as of 11/7/2024.  The Poor Farm Monument came from out of this fund several years ago. The recommendation came from Mr. Weeks to move that money to the General Revenue Fund because no one has requested any monies out of it in years.  It was just a housekeeping move.  Question from this reporter was, "Could the monies be used for the upkeep of the grass or something for the Veterans Cemetery Foundation?  No real answer given; however it was discussed among the Commissioners.

Motion to closed out County Farm Fund 5 and transfers to General Revenue in the amount of $27,810.32 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Remove CART from Fund 6

Motion to Remove the word CART from Fund 6 made by Commissioner C.D.Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

CART Fund is now Fund 44 and Fund 6 will now only be Road & Bridge.

"We are not moving any money just renaming the Fund for the auditors," stated Weeks.

County Aid Road Trust Fund (CART) monies are split between the road districts and the county.

Drainage Ditches

"I know that Speakman has done some good research on these ditches," stated Mathis.  "Nobody knew when the ditches consolidated etc."  

"Let's put this on the Agenda for two weeks from today," stated Mathis.

Dale Moreland, Castor Township Requesting Additional ARPA Monies

"The Railroad did not have any ownership of County Road 551 across from County Road 510," stated Dale Moreland, Castor Township.

"That bridge there goes into the Bostic property, the side walls are good and Chad Payne gave us a quote in the amount of $11,750. and that is for a deck on top of that bridge.  Jacob Cleary printed off some things and the bridge is absolutely terrible," Commissioner Mathis said.

"The railroad people said it is not on them.  It will be the Castor Township and therefore requesting monies out of the ARPA funds," continued Moreland.

"We will put it on our agenda next week to get the money allocated for that repair," stated Mathis.  Moreland said he will make sure when the Board meets on Tuesday night they will vote on everything and get a letter to Katelyn Lambert at Bootheel Regional Planning Commission as soon as possible.

Motion to accept Monday, November 25th minutes made by Commissioner Jarrell, Mathis seconded.  Abstaining due to be absence Sewart. Both voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to put out for bid for the roof top unit over the Justice Center will be delayed until next week.  Specs have been written; however the Commissioner need time to review the information.

Motion to accept the Closed Session meeting minutes from Monday, November 25th made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Mathis.  Abstaining was Stewart due to absence.  Both voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to enter into Closed Session made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Stewart.  Open session ended at 11:05 a.m.

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.

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.