Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis opened the meeting with a prayer and a Pledge of Allegiance.

Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission

Update on ARPA Funds

Bernie Water Basin - Bernie will be requesting a check for about $68,000 this week.  This is a reimbursement out of the ARPA Funds for the new water basin.  

BRPF Health Related Grants - Community Foundation Board gave several grants to non-profits

Stoddard County Senior Center (The Lunch Box) in Dexter, the Stoddard County Children's Home, SEMO Food Bank, Bernie Elementary, Dunklin County Caring Council, Advance Schools, and Bloomfield Schools

"Last year was the first year to have these monies available to non-profits so this is our second year of distributing," commented Lambert. "We had 14 applicants and awarded 7 total throughout the Bootheel.  Each received $1,200..

Also noted that the Southeast Commissioner's Meeting will be held at the BRPC building.  Faye's will cater fried fish with all the sides.

Former Commissioner Carol Jarrell was on the Executive Board for the BRPC as well as on the Solid Waste District Board.  "We need to replace her or find out if she wishes to remain on those boards since she is no longer a commissioner," stated Lambert.

"Let me contact Mrs. Jarrell and ask her if she wishes to retain a seat or wishes to leave the boards," commented Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.

"We have a meeting this Thursday, but nothing major is going on," Lambert said.

"Also the CDBG grants are being awarded to some cities at this time in round #1.  The announcements will be made public soon.  The city of Essex has applied for road improvements," continued Lambert.

Castor River Bridge Damage

"John Hunter called about the bridge going over Castor River where the piers were moved and busted," stated Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  "Pike is in charge of the north end and Castor on the south end.  So they closed the bridge. Boatright at the Corps of Engineers is to get the bridge replaced or repaired.  This is on County Road 551."

Old Treasurer/Collector Building

Tim Pulley contacted Mr. Mathis regarding the old treasurer/collector building.  Floors are bad, structural unsound building is what I have always thought," stated Mathis. "in 2007 an engineer came in and did a structural engineering report and that is what lead us to build the new government building."

"Amy Haas and her husband also had an interest on the building as well," commented Mathis.

Mr. Mathis will get in touch with Tim, Amy and the city of Bloomfield and set a date to discuss the building.

Pike Township Board Issue

Commissioner C.D. Stewart stated that the Pike Township was having issues with a board member coming to the meetings.  After some internet research on the state statute it reads that after two missing ed meetings the person should be notified by mail that on the their missed meeting that they can be voted off.  Pike Township is interested in appointing Tina Marie Kelley to that position and then she plans to run in the next election.  Typically the Commission votes on an appointment to a Township until an election by the people can be held.

Stoddard County Budget

During a recent meeting of the Stoddard County Commissioners, a date was set to conduct a budget hearing on January 24, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.  This information was published in both the ShowMe Times and the Dexter Statesman.  That date was later changed to January 23rd by the Stoddard County Clerk and was done so without a vote in an open meeting of the Stoddard County Commissioner; however they two of the commissioner present in a workshop agreed to change the date.  A public notice for the budget hearing was published in the Bernie Banner and the Dexter Statesman and reads as follows:

Notice of Public Hearing - Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Commission Chambers, Stoddard County Government Building, Broomfield, MO on the 2025 Stoddard County budget.  beginning January 9, 2025, the proposed budget may be examined between 8:30 a.m. and 4:0 p.m. weekdays in the County Clerk's Office.  Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County Clerk.

The proposed budget may be examined on weekdays beginning January 9, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. until the budget hearing.  The press was not notified that the budget was available until Monday, January 13, 2025.

Originally the dates of the budget hearing workshops were to be held on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 1 p.m., Monday, January 13, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. and Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.  Newley elected Commissioner Wes Howard had a personal conflict and would not be available to attend until those dates as he would be out of town the week prior; therefore those were the dates announced to the press during the commission meeting on January 6th.

Stoddard County Commissioners Greg Mathis and C.D. Stewart made the decision to hold the discussions with county elected officials, but the public notice was limited to a sign being posted on the Stoddard County Government Building, with no direct notification to the local media to alert the citizenry of Stoddard County.  Given this subject has been a topic broached with the County Commissioners of the past, this action could be construed as being deceptive.  In the future, notification of the local media, via email, text message, or phone would be appropriate, especial since this was a change in a date and time..

The budget was completed on Thursday, January 9, 2025 and was distributed to Commissioner Howard, as well as the local media, on Monday, January 13, 2025 for review.

Other Business:

Motion to approve the Monday January 6, 2025 meeting minutes made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Wes Howard.  All three voted yes and motion passed. 

Motion to rescind the Budget Hearing Date from January 24th at 10 a.m.  made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Wes Howard.  All three voted yes and motion passed. 

Motion to set the Budget Hearing Date to January 23rd at 10 a.m. (as already submitted to the paper for publication) made by Commissioner Wes Howard, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed. This motion and vote was done after the Budget Hearing Date being submitted by the county clerk to the Dexter Statesman. 

The Commission decided to move the Ads and Abates from the Stoddard County Collector/Treasurer Josh Speakman to next week's agenda.

Motion to adjourn at 12:04 made by Commissioner Wes Howard, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All voted yes and motion passed.