The Stoddard County Commission began their 2024 year with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer over the county officials, state officials, police and fire and all those serving in the military.
Alisha Trammel, Dexter Chamber of Commerce - Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. Update
“I just wanted to add or rather explain a couple of things that were in the press release,” commented Trammel.
1. Investment of $13 million putting into the upgrades of the processing plant, mill and hatchery. That is their initial estimate of investment into the buildings and the process.
2. Employment numbers will be in phases. Phase one is 96 employees. That 96 comes from the Missouri Works Program and other state incentives. County wage island average of $44,000 per person currently and they will have to pay 80% of their salaries and 50% of their insurance benefits. They must have 96 employees and if they do not they are the disqualified from the Missouri Works Program.
Tyson pursued Cal Maine Foods, Inc. to purchase the buildings.
"We are actively recruiting for more businesses," stated Trammell. "The hotel project is coming along. I am actually meeting this week to get some dates.”
Motion to accept the meeting minutes from Friday, December 29, 2023 made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Important dates:
Martin Luther King Jr. day is Monday, January 15, 2024/ County offices are closed
January 10, 2024 is the last day to Register to Vote for February 6, 2024 Bond Election
Final Certification for the April 2, 2024 General Municipal Election is January 23, 2024.
Absentee Voting Begins for March 5, 2024 Charter Election is January 23, 2024
No Excuse Absentee Voting begins for February 6, 2024 Bond Election is January 23, 2024
Motion to enter into closed session made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
The Stoddard County Commission met on the last day of the month on December 29, 2023.
Sawyer Smith, Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney
He is representing Stoddard County as legal counsel and sent a letter to Michael G. Norris of Norris Keplinger Hicks & Welder, LLC who represent HMN Architects, Inc. as legal counsel.
He is seeking recovery of debt owed to Stoddard County regarding the jail generator and is requesting $294,320.00 to satisfy the debt owed raiding replacement and any associated costs. Stoddard County has offered and agreed to pay $100,000.00 of the total cost with the remainder to be paid by HMN Architects, Inc.
Motion to approve the regular meeting minutes from the December 18th made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
The Stoddard County Commission had budget amendments.
1. Road & Bridge (CART) - Expenditures of +$418,052.57 - Reason was that there was a higher amount of expenditures.
2. General School Fund - Expenditures of +$86,039.98 - Reason was higher amount of fines disbursed.
3. Combined Accumulated Int. Fund - Expenditures of +$324,034.47 - Reason higher amount of expenditures - offset by revenue.
4. P.A. Training Fund - Expenditures +$1,973.10 - Reason additional trainings for new Prosecuting Attorney's office for new employees being trained.
5. Commercial Property Surcharge - Expenditures +$18,136.01 - Reason was surcharge distribution higher than anticipated - offset by revenue.
6. Crime Red -LE Restitution Fund - Expenditures +$8,035.86 - Reason was higher amount of expenditures - offset by funds carried from prior year. Rance Butler was added to payroll.
7. County Employee Retirement - Expenditures +$21,167.97 - Reason higher amount of expenditures - offset by revenue.
8. Victim Advocate Fund - Expenditures +$6,256.35 - Reason was higher amount of expenditures - offset by funds carried from prior year, in addition to $3,500.00 transferred from County Revenue Fund.
9. Jail Construction Fund - 1/2 Sales Tax - Expenditures +$247,153.58 - Reason is higher amount of expenditures - offset by funds carried from prior year.
10. C.A.R.T. - Expenditures +$10,653.78 - Reason was higher amount of expenditures - offset by revenue.
11. Election Security Grant - +$31.65 - Reason was higher amount of expenditures - offset by interest revenue.
Motion to accept the 2023 budget amendments on December 29, 2023 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the regular minutes from December 18, 2023 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
The Commission discussed work session dates to go over budgets. They agreed to meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 and Wednesday at 1 p.m. then again on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 9 a.m.
Once they have the budget updates the budget will be made available to the public and office holders for review. A budget hearing will be set and anyone who has questions may attend. It is open to the public.
Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Jarrell and seconded by Commissioner Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
The Stoddard County Commissioners opened the next to the last meeting of the 2023 year with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
Old Business:
Commissioner Greg Mathis stated that everything looks good with the Department of Economic Development for the deobligation of the CDBG grant with Bootheel Regional Planning. He does have one form to send to them and that is the "sign-in" sheet for the last Commission meeting.
The final contract for the health insurance has been finalized. It was already voted on by the Commission at a previous meeting. Today the Commission signed off on the contract.
New Business:
Beau Bishop, Stoddard County Emergency Management
Bishop stated that the first quarter EMPG grant claims for the operating period of July 1, 2023 thru September 30, 2023 were submitted and approved. ON November 17th we were reimbursed $6,540.91 for this claim.
The EMPG 2nd quarter grant claims for the operating period of October 1st - December 31st will be submitted before January 15, 2024.
Stoddard County EMA fiscal year 2024 budget has been submitted to the Stoddard County Clerk's office to be reviewed by the Commission.
"On August 22nd - 25th I attended the 2023 Missouri State Emergency Management Conference and from August 30th - September 1st I also attended the 2023 MFSMA Annual Conference," commented Bishop. "On October 19th, I attended the quarterly SEMO EMA and RHSOC meeting. On November 6th the Stoddard County EMA hosted the NWS Winter Weather Workshop with the Paducah National Weather Service. Information was provided on the upcoming winter weather season and the new NWS Chat Service. 17 area stakeholders attended."
He continued to discuss the November 28th quarter Bootheel LEPD meeting and the December 13th quarter Stoddard County Consortium meeting. Stoddard County EMA asked for, and received approval from the board, for access to the Zuercher System that all county dispatchers use. With access, EMA will be able to start weather related CFS's for time tracking during an event, and will also have access to the map functions that will allow for EMA to place real time barriers and information on the map concerning flooded/blocked roads, etc. Once these are placed on the map, all dispatches will be able to see the same information, so it can be conveyed to their appropriate people when routing to a call could be an issue.
The HMPG Siren Grant - Notice for bid is active. I twas advertised int he Daily Statesman, and the Daily American republic. Notice for bid is also posted on the front door of the Stoddard County Ambulance office. Bids are due no later than Friday, January 5th at 3 p.m. CST. Once all bids are received they will be brought to the Commission for discussion.
The procurement paperwork is ongoing for the HMPG Generator Grant.
The bid process has been completed for ARPA radios. Battles Communications was the only bid received. All paperwork submitted to BRPC and the approval was given to order radios. Radios have been ordered and we are waiting for them to be received. Preliminary breakdown of radio distribution is as follows: Puxico Fire (3), Dudley Fire (3), Essex Fire (3), Bernie Fire (3), Bloomfield Fire (2), Bernie MEA (1), Stoddard County EMA (1).
Bishop gave upcoming dates he will be attending three meetings. On January 18th there will be a quarterly SEMO EMA and RHSOC meeting, January 30th a quarterly Bootheel LEPD meeting and on February 28th and 29th in Columbia for the Local Volunteer and Donations Management Class.
Debbie Ellinghouse, AFLAC agent for Stoddard County
She stepped in for just a minute to check in with the Commission and drop off the Employee Benefit Options for 2024 with rates for the pay period
Motion to accept the regular meeting minutes for December 11th made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the closed session meeting minutes for December 11th made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commission Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to close the regular session of the meeting at 11:51 a.m.made by Commissioner Jarrell and seconded by Commissioner Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Route 153 in Stoddard County will be reduced as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform shoulder repairs.
This section of roadway is located from Route A to Route Z.
Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 21 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area. A flagging crew will be in place as work is taking place.
For additional information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT
Route BB in Stoddard County will be closed as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert along the roadway.
This section of roadway is located between Route C and County Road 208 near Advance, Missouri.
Weather permitting, work will take place Tuesday, Dec. 19 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.
For additional information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT
