The Stoddard County Commissioners met on Monday, December 12, 2022 at the government building in Bloomfield.
Katelyn Lambert, Asst Executive Director, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission updated the Commissioners on the ARPA Funds. She presented them with a spreadsheet.
Total amount of ARPA Funds available to the County is $5,637.766.00 Funds requested are $4,338,255.96. Funds actually paid to date $591,848.23. Funds must be paid out by December 31, 2023.
Matthew Dowdy, Concerned Citizen
He had a letter dated November 22, 2022 from Liberty Mutual Insurance (County uses for their bonding insurance), stating "that under the fidelity insurance policy, only the insured, Stoddard County can be indemnified against covered losses allegedly caused by a dishonest or fraudulent set committed by one of their employees. Only Stoddard County may submit a claim. A review of your correspondence indicates that you are not a proper claimant under the terms of the policy. As such, the Surety must deny this claim in its entirety."
The letter goes on to read, "We have contacted Stoddard County to advise it of the above information so that they may decide how to proceed. Nothing in this letter is to be construed as a waiver of any of the rights or defenses available to The Ohio Casualty Group or Stoddard County."
Talkington said he would have to hire an attorney and file a suit against the Prosecuting Attorney.
"I'd like to thank the commissioners for their time today," stated Dowdy.
Kay Asbell, Stoddard County Recorder, attended the meeting.
Kay Asbell asked the commissioners if retires were included in the new insurance plan because her staff had a Zoom meeting last week and it was not in the slides. Commissioner Talkington said yes the retires were on the plan if they had been employees of the County for at least 20 years.
2022 Single Audit Bid Opening at 10:12 a.m.
Bid #1 Daniel Jones and Associates CPA for $25,000, received on November 8th
Bid #2 Devereux and Companies CPA for $17,500, received on November 10th
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to accept the bid from Devereux and Companies CPA for $17,500. Presiding Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both said yes and passed.
Josh Speakman, Stoddard County Collector attend the meeting.
" A couple of programming errors was found in our tax system during the audit this summer and the voucher I was questioned on by the commission corrected one of them. The financial correction that occurred from the programming error was made this Nov since the amount of revenue that gets distributed to all the various political subdivisions during November and December is increased. It was corrections from years 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021."
In last week's meeting Speakman discussed a bank card to be used by elected officials.
"I have requested the County Commission look into utilizing Central Bank who has a department that specializes in Municipal and County Government credit cards. This will keep county business, such as postage, hotel stays at statutorily required association trainings etc. from being applied to personal debit cards and then reimbursed to the individual. I feel as if it’s a more transparent and simpler approach. The cards come with the county logo and the tax exempt number on them, and would follow the same bill pay approval process as all other county bills."
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to approve the revised minutes from November 21, 2022 to state the audit bids must be turned in by December 9th at 4 p.m. Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes and passed.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to approve the minutes from the December 5th meeting. Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both said yes and passed. A copy of the minutes will not be available until next week's meeting.
Commissioner Jarrell asked Talkington if he had heard from Mr. McCarty at Arch Brokerage about the exclusion of St. Francis or making the deductible higher or co-pays higher. St. Francis is in-network for HealthLink Insurance; however has been excluded in the County's health insurance plan. This is from a discussion in last week's meeting with Josh Speakman, County Collector. Talkington state he had not heard from Mr. McCarty as to the changes in the insurance plan. He will contact him this week.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to adjourn at 11:57 a.m. Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes and passed.
Stoddard County Commission Meeting Agenda for Monday, December 12, 2022
Bloomfield, MO - The Stoddard County Commissioners met in a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, November 7, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.
Jeff Crocker, Heartland Area Land Owners, introduced himself to the Commissioners. Crocker represents landowners who want to develop their land. For example farmers who might want to put solar panels on their land. Commonly referred to as HALO, "They seek to organize, educate, and engage member landowners to better advocate for their own land use priorities. Their landowner members are passionate about their land, their world, and stewarding the resources that feed America and power its economy."
Bell City Update
Bell City Improvement Corporation (PIC) functions alone; however it is up to the mayor and the city council to get involved and appointment members. This according to Peter Coutavas, IDA Director. Mr. Finney had come to a previous meeting and asked questions about the Bell City Improvement Corporation. Mr. Coutavas will call him and let him know what he found out with regards to the group.
Bootheel Regional Planning Commission
According to Katelyn Lambert, they have almost completed the roof for the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission. Tomorrow is the Bid Opening for the HVAC. Once all that is complete that should be the end of the grant they received.
Duck Creek Township - Administration Update
The only Bid received for the Duck Creek Township was from Bootheel Regional Planning Commission. It was $30,000 for the administration of the blacktop of a road in the Duck Creek Township. The Community Development Block Grant require the bidding of the administration of the grant. The Commissioners sent a letter to 23 potential bidders.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to accept the bid from Bootheel Regional Planning Commission to administer the grant for Duck Creek Township. The grant will go towards the paving project. Seconded by Commissioner Talkington. Both voted yes.
Commissioner Carol Jarrell made a motion to accept the minutes from October 31, 2022. Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes.
The minutes stated two items. Associate Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to approve the minutes for October 24, 2022 and a motion to adjourn at 10:42 a.m.
Commissioner Carol Jarrell made a motion to accept the Ads & Abates from the Collector, Josh Speakman. Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes.
Stoddard County Collector Josh Speakman Update
Real Estate Tax and Personal Property Tax bills went out in the mail. Don't forget you can do an instalment payment plan with the County Collector. Go to the website www.stoddardcollector.org
Sign up now to pay your 2022 Stoddard County taxes on a monthly installment basis. Contact the collector's office at (573) 568-3327 for more information.
"Your payments will be based on the amount you paid for the previous year taxes. There will be ten equal installments, with the eleventh and final installment being the balance of the tax due. Taxes not paid in full by December 31st will result in late penalties and fees being charged which will be the responsibility of the taxpayer; and, the payment plan may be terminated.
We will only accept automated payment from your bank account. Please contact our office for further information regarding payment. If you are planning to signup for automated payment, please fill out and sign the Automated Payment Service authorization and agreement form to enroll in the installment payment plan. Please read the Installment Program fact sheet for additional information regarding the automated payment process.
Real estate and personal property taxes are eligible for installment payments at this time. Payment plans will be set up for each individual account. Delinquent taxes are not eligible for the payment plan. For example, your 2021 real estate taxes must be paid before enrolling in a payment plan for your 2022 real estate taxes.
If you currently escrow your real estate taxes with a mortgage company or related servicing company, you will not be able to set up a payment plan for that particular parcel of land at this time. Remember, payment plans will be set up for each individual account regardless of the number of properties you own."
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to adjourn at 11:33 a.m. Seconded by Talkington. Both voted yes.
The Stoddard County Commissioners met in a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, October 24, 2022 at 9 a.m. in the commission chambers. Commissioner Danny Talkington started with the Pledge of Allegiance and Kay Asbell said the prayer.
Carol Jarrell made the motion to make Beau Bishop the Stoddard County Emergency Management Agency Director to start on November 1, 2022. Salary will $50,400.00 and is a full-time position. Commissioner Danny Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes.
There were five bids for the Stoddard County employee insurance. Arch Brokerage is the lowest bidder and Southeast Hospital as the main hospital. Fixed cost $337,857.36 and their variable cost was 337,857.36 and a maximum cost of $696,322.44. Based on 77 employees and one spouse. The brokerage company is located south of St. Louis and is not a local brokerage with a contract of 1 year. Cost per month for each employee $319.00 $1,500 deductible. You will be able to go to St. Francis, but your deductible will be higher at $2,500. The Commissioners did not take the lowest bid, but decided based on the overall plan.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to accept Arch Brokerage and their insurance plan for a contract of 1 year to cover the Stoddard County employees with insurance. Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yet.
Debra Robey attended the meeting and asked about the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Water District #5 had requested $31,311. She asked what the turn-around time was for getting paid once the paid receipts are turned in. Talkington stated that if they are turned in by Thursday, the commissioners can pay it out on the following Monday. Water District #5 will have their first new board meeting on Tuesday, October 25th at 6:30 p.m.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to accept the minutes from October 17th. Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes.
According to Katelyn Lambert at the Bootheel Regional Planning, the Hazard Mitigation Plans are due. The Commissioners need to sign to update the plan. Once they are signed by FEMA, SEMA, and Bootheel Regional Planning a copy will be available to the Commission.
The engineer selected for Stoddard County’s Broadband grant, Conexon, is working to obtain permission to use Ozark Borders network to complete the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). Once the PER is complete the project can be bid out for construction. Travis Elliot, county attorney, is working to draft a lease agreement to be used after the Broadband Infrastructure is constructed between the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and the county.
The lease is supposed to insure that the county is not responsible for any of the infrastructure maintenance or anything once it is constructed. That way the County is not out any extra money to maintain the infrastructure.
Commissioner Jarrell made the motion to adjourn at 11:55 a.m. Talkington seconded it. Both voted yes.
The Stoddard County Commissioners met in a regularly scheduled Monday morning meeting from 9 a.m. - Noon.
Minutes from Monday, August 22, 2022 were approved. Commissioner Steve Jordan made the motion to accept the minutes as written. Commissioner Carol Jarrell seconded the motion. All voted yes.
The Dan Hudgens' family spoke to the Commission about the 40 acres next to their property which will have chicken houses in the near future. There are more than 40 families that live in the area off County Road 442 and really do not wish to have the chicken houses next to their properties.
"There are no zoning laws in the county," stated Presiding Commissioner Danny Talkington.
Commissioner Carol Jarrell made a motion to order AED $1,680.72, Trauma Bag is 42.99 and the SCAD will stock that bag, and the Biohazard 5.79 100 in a box for the Justice Center Building and Government Building. Jordan seconded the motion. All voted yes.
Emergency Management Director (EMD), Andrew Bohnert reported on the possible microburst that occured in Dexter on Friday, August 26th around 4 p.m. It was in the heat of the day and caused some damage in the city of Dexter. The last time this happened in Dexter the winds blew the train cars off the tracks. This time there was minor damage to the roof of Busy B, First Baptist Church, FM Bank, and a roof was blown off of Maw Maws Sale Barn next to Jackson's Florist on Walnut Street. Power was out in the area for about three to four hours.
Commissioner Steve Jordan made a motion to accept Erin Brown to fill the rest of the term for John Pruitt on the Industrial Development Authority of Stoddard County (IDA) Board. Commissioner Carol Jarrell seconded the motion. All voted yes.
ACH Direct Deposit and Investment Policy were presented with final adjustments made by County Collector/Treasurer Josh Speakman.
Commissioner Jordan made a motion to accept the ACH Direct Deposit for county employees. Commissioner Jarrell seconded the motion. All voted yes.
A letter of resignation was provided by Andrew Bohnert, Emergency Management Director. September 18th will be his last day.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to advertise for an open EMD position. Commissioner Jordan seconded the motion. All voted yes.
There will be no meeting on Monday, September 5th due to the Labor Day holiday.
Commissioner Jordan made a motion to adjourn at 11:59 a.m. Commissioner Jarrell seconded the motion. All vote yes.
