Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis started the meeting with the Pledge of Alligence and a prayer for the county officials, police, sheriff's dept and for the Bernie Lady Mules as they try to win a state championship in softball this week.
David Wyman, City of Dexter, Administrator
He introduced Lauren Hill as a new full-time employee for the city of Dexter. Her office will be located in city hall and tourism taxes will pay for her salary. Her title is Administrative Assistant - Tourism.
The Missouri Department of Tourism has grant money to help with advertising events within the community and to help promote certain events.
Motion to pass the Destination Marketing Organization Resolution to designate the city of Dexter as the official city for Stoddard County, Missouri made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Destination Marketing Organization Resolution so passed by the Stoddard County Commission
Whereas, City of Dexter, Missouri, a legitimate department, agency, or resprestative of Stoddard County, is engaged primarily in the marketing and promotion of tourism;
Whereas, this organization has shown and demonstrated evidence of its on-going tourism marketing activities and plans for promotion of Stoddard County; and
Whereas, this organization requires formal acknowledgement and recognition by the governing body of the county to become a qualified participant in the programs administered by the Missouri Division of Tourism:
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the city of Dexter, Missouri is hereby designated and recognized as the single representative organization to solicit and service tourism in Stoddard County for participation in the Missouri Division of Tourism's Marketing Matching Grant.
Cal-Main Foods Update
Late summer there will be a hiring push. Their egg production is coming this fall. They currently have 15 employees.
Missouri Department of Economic Development Letter sent to former Presiding Commissioner Danny Talkington Received by Current Commissioners - Mr. Mathis has faxed the letter to Katelyn Lambert at Bootheel Regional Planning Commission to decide what is the next step.
SB40 Board Vacancy
There is a vacancy on the SB40 Board due to a member stepping down; however no letter of resignation has been received by the Commission. Mrs. Carol Jarrell explained that a letter of resignation would be needed before proceeding.
Tax Break for Seniors Update:
Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis handed out an informative article from the St. Louis newspaper regarding the tax break for Missouri seniors. Commissioner Mathis asked Josh Speakman, Collector/Treasurer to discuss the tax break.
Other Business
Stoddard County offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024 for the Memorial Day holiday and will have the Commission Meeting on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
Motion to accept the Monday, May 13, 2024 minutes from the regular session made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Greg Mathis. Both Stewart and Mathis voted yes, Jarrell was absent from the previous meeting so she abstained from voting.
Motion to purchase a transport van out of the commissary fund for the Stoddard County Sheriff's Dept in the amount of $52,000 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed. The current van is not drivable and they have been using two officers and two other vehicles to commute the inmates.
Morion to adjourn at 11:53 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. Both voted yes as Mr. Mathis left early.
The Stoddard County Commissioners' opened their weekly meeting with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion to amend the meeting minutes (April 1, 2024) to add the letter of resignation from Bill Aslin to two boards made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis. Commissioner Carole Jarrell was not in attendance today.
Motion to amend the meeting minutes from three dates (March 25, 2024, April 1, 2024, and April 8, 2024) to place Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis name back as his name was left off the official meeting minutes for voting purposes made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to amend the April 8, 2024 meeting minutes regarding Amy Haas' appointment to a board that her term will start July 1, 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Other Business:
Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County Clerk
He will be moving the polling place in Puxico from the cafeteria to the FEMA building for the August 6th primary. This will be safer for the students who have to change classes and walk across the area where people are driving to park and enter the building to vote.
Carl Hefner, Stoddard County Sheriff's Department
Seth Goins will be a full time sheriff's employee as a road deputy on May 21st. He just graduated from the Semo Law Enforcement Academy. His tuition was paid for by the GI Bill.
The sheriff would like to send another employee if possible and is seeking funds to cover the cost of tuition.
William Dowdy, Stoddard County Maintenance
The air conditioner in the IDA building is not performing well and they had some Freon put in; however it is still has a possible leak. The air conditioning unit is possibly 30+ years old.
Other Business:
Motion to accept the regular session meeting minutes from May 6, 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the closed session meeting minutes from May 6, 2024 made by Commissioner C.d. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to close the meeting at 11:46 a.m. made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
The Stoddard County Commissioner Meeting was held on Monday, May 6, 2024. Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer over Stoddard County, Missouri.
John McCarty - Employee Health Insurance Update
"The goal for your claims is typically 80%," stated McCarty. "This will keep you in the trend renewal. If you go over that then you are dipping into your claims fund. You ran 78% last year." stated McCarty.
"Here is the 1st Quarter Report. We watch these trends, but we always run a little behind on our report," commented McCarty. "January - March report you are running 123%. We are drastically over that 80%. We are spending more on claims than we want to see. We know what is causing this, but I can't talk about it in an open meeting."
"About 1/3 of the people seek out mental health/depression issues are actually doing that. Our group is drastically happier than what we are seeing in the state of Missouri, which means they are seeking out that help.."
Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis said, "The. County is still putting more in the reserve than we are spending, so we should be in good shape."
"We have a very low deductible of $500," stated Mathis. "Do you think people are utilizing the insurance more because of that low deductible?" McCarty said, "No. You just have a few high claims in the first quarter."
"Stop loss is $35,000 for each employee with an aggregate in the policy as well. So if the employee's bills are $1 million the county will pay the $35,000 then the insurance company picks up the rest in theory."
There was more discussion about insurance, but basically the County is putting in more money than they are spending as they are self insured. They will take a look at the second quarter and see how the claims are proceeding.
Colton Gablear, Smith and Company Engineers
CR 766 Bridge Replacement for Stoddard County, MO March 2024 and CR 752 Bridge Replacement for Stoddard County, MO March 2024 update.
"We have a sub consultant working for us and getting right-away clearance, etc. Then we will be able to bid out the bridges. Might be August before we can bid out the bridges."
Audrain County, Missouri would like to sell $100,000 of Soft Match Credit for $.50 on the dollar to Stoddard County, Missouri. Cost would be $50,000.
Motion to approve the. purchase of $100,000 in Soft Match Credit from Audrain County (Mexico, MO) in the amount of $50,000. Made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
BRO Funds are set aside by MoDOT and can pay up to 89%, the County has to pay the last 11%. The County can purchase Soft Match Credit from other counties.
Motion to approve the certification of plans and estimates of BRO 103 076 Stoddard County Road 752 Bridge Replacement, Railroad Impact Statement and Letter of Certification of Utility Status made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to approve the certification of plans and estimates of BRO R-103 075 Stoddard County Road Road 766 Bridge Replacement, Railroad Impact Statement and Letter of Certification of Utility Status made by Commission C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Josh Speakman, Stoddard County Treasure/Collector - SB 190 Update
The Commissioners will set a date for a forum to discuss SB 190 Senior Property Tax Credit on Monday, June 3, 2024. Letter to the school districts as well as put in the newspaper. The Commissioners will meet with the public, but will not make a decision on that particular day. They will review all the input from the public. Teachers and railroad employees are excluded.
Here is the SB 190 as written.
SS/SB 190 - This act modifies provisions relating to the taxation of seniors.
PROPERTY TAX CREDIT
This act authorizes a county to grant a property tax credit to eligible taxpayers residing in such county, provided such county has adopted an ordinance authorizing such credit, or a petition in support of such credit is delivered to the governing body of the county and is subsequently submitted to and approved by the voters, as described in the act.
Eligible taxpayers are defined as residents who: 1) are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits; 2) are the owner of record of or have a legal or equitable interest in a homestead; and 3) are liable for the payment of real property taxes on such homestead.
The amount of the property tax credit shall be equal to the difference between the real property tax liability on the homestead in a given year minus the real property tax liability on such homestead in the year in which the taxpayer became an eligible taxpayer.
A credit granted pursuant to this act shall be applied when calculating the eligible taxpayer's property tax liability for the tax year. The amount of the credit shall be noted on the statement of tax due sent to the eligible taxpayer by the county collector.
The amount of property tax credits authorized by a county pursuant to this act shall be considered tax revenue actually received by the county for the purposes of calculating property tax levies. (Section 137.1050)
This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 247 (2023) and is substantially similar to SB 715 (2022) and to a provision in SS/SCS/SB 133 (2023), as amended, SS/SB 540 (2023), as amended, and SS#2/SCS/SB 649 (2022).
RETIREMENT BENEFITS INCOME TAX DEDUCTION
Current law allows taxpayers with certain filing status and adjusted gross income below certain thresholds to deduct 100% of certain retirement and Social Security benefits from the taxpayer's Missouri adjusted gross income, with a reduced deduction as the taxpayer's adjusted gross income increases. For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, this act allows the maximum deduction to all taxpayers regardless of filing status or adjusted gross income. (Sections 143.124 and 143.125)
These provisions are identical to SB 448 (2023), SB 241 (2023), HB 662 (2023), HB 1206 (2023), SB 871 (2022), HB 2853 (2022), SB 157 (2021), SB 847 (2020), and HB 1725 (2020), and to provisions in HCS/SB 247 (2023), and are substantially similar to SB 585 (2023), HB 156 (2023), and HB 456 (2023), and to provisions in HCS/SS#3/SCS/SB 131 (2023).
Other Business:
Letter from Katelyn Lambert from the City of Essex for $50,000.00.
Motion to send the letter for the CDBG Grant for their paving project made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the regular meeting minutes April 29, 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to approve the April Ads/Abates by Josh Speakman, County Collector/Treasurer made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the Closed Session Minutes for April 29, 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Received a notice of the retirement of Mandy Clary. The Commission will need to advertise for Janitorial Services. They will also get a job description together to advertise for the position.
Stoddard County Commission go into closed session at 11:08 a.m. made by Commissioner C .D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
The Stoddard County Commission met on Monday, April 29, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. in the government building in Bloomfield, Missouri. Presiding Commission Greg Mathis began the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer over the County including the farmers who are planing this time of year.
Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission
1. Bell City Fire Department seeking $10,000 extra to finish out their fire department building. They would like some additional lighting and concrete.
Motion to give Bell City fire Department $10,000 to finish out their fire department building from ARPA funds made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
2. City of Advance - Lambert has been in communication with the mayor. He did a sole source procurement letter as there is only one company that manufactures this type of camera for the sewer. This money has already been approved by the Commission. The city is just wanted tome some funds from one project to this camera project. The cost is $22,995. Motion was already made in a previous meeting for $11,500 however this camera costs almost twice as much.
Motion to move forward for the city of Advance to purchase this camera in the amount of $22,995 from the ARPA funds which is included in their original request made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, commissioner C.D. Stewart seconded. All three voted yes and motion passed.
3. Dudley Special Road District has the proper paperwork to be signed by the Commission for procurement for gravel and maintenance and infrastructure improvements.
Other Business:
Motion to enter into the Distribution Agreement with the Dudley Special Road District made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed. Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis will sign the document.
Motion to approve payment to Smith and Co Engineers for design services for Stoddard County Road bridge #752 in the amount of $4,803.52 and will be reimbursed out of the MoDOT BRO fund made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to approve payment to Smith and Co Engineers for bridge replacement #766 in the amount $10,685.05 by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to allow Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis to sign the cancellation policy release for the earthquake insurance that was voted down at the previous meeting made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the April 22, 2024 regular session meeting minutes made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the Bid Opening Meeting minutes for the digital radio repeaters on April 22, 2024 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Presiding Commissioner Mathis stated, " Please note that Wednesday, May 8th the Stoddard County offices and government buildings will be closed for Harry S. Truman's birthday."
Motion to enter into closed session at 11:-05 a.m.for the purpose of cyber security made by commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
The Stoddard County Commission began at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer from Presiding Commission Greg Mathis over our County.
"Katelyn you are first on the list this morning," commented Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.
Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission/ARPA Funds
"We have three draw downs on approved funds from the ARPA account," stated Lambert.
1 Bell City Fire Department was approved for ARPA funds for $3,039.33 for building of their new fire department building.
Motion to reimburse Bell City Fire Department the amount of $3,039.33 made by. Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
2. Stoddard County EMA - They were approved for $61,560.00 for reimbursement for the radios. "I just need a copy of the cancelled check so we can that monies reimbursed out of ARPA," Lambert said.
Motion to pay Battles Communications for the EMA radios in the amount of $61,560.00 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
3. Water District #2 - "I do have a copy of the invoice and the cancelled check; however the money originally selling them the meters has sold their company to Mid South MTR and also located in Hot Spring Arkansas. The transaction occurred on October 16, 2023. It is still the sole source procurement, just a different company now. They are requesting $69,357.98 in ARPA funds that have already been allocated.
Motion to reimburse Water District #2 $69,357.98 from ARPA funds for water meters made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Dudley Special Road District - "They are going to create and official letter to request funds for gravel in the amount of about $40,000," commented Lambert. "They should send an email or bring in an official request for ARPA Funds shortly."
City of Advance - Looking to purchase a camera for their sewer district. They wanted to move $11,500 of ARPA funds to purchase this camera.
Motion to approve Dudley Special Road District in the amount of $40,000 from ARPA funds to be used for infrastructure made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed. The reason for requesting this money was due to the fact that the .35 road levy having failed at the April 2023 Municipal Election. Their road district lost a potential $80,000 in revenue in 2023. The road levy did pass on the 2024 Municipal Election so going forward they will have money coming in to help repair eroding ditches, roads and areas around bridges.
The Stoddard County Commission received $5,637,766.00 in ARPA funds. To date they have $86,651.75 that are not committed funds to anyone. The funds must be used for infrastructure.
Bid Opening for 20 Digital Radio Repeaters for the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department at 10 a.m.
Motion to enter into the Bid Opening Meeting at 10:04 a.m. for the 20 Digital Radio Repeaters for Stoddard County Sheriff's Department made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes.
One bid was sent in from Battles Communications. $91,800.00 for Pyramid VHF Vehicular Repeaters. Each radio was $4,590.00.
Andy Holden from the Sheriff's Department and Sheriff Carl Hefner reviewed the bid documents during the meeting and agreed that the specs were the same as they requested.
Motion to accept the bid from Battles Communications in the amount of $91,800 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.
Motion to close the Bid Opening meeting at 10:29 a.m. made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.
Other Business
Cecil Weeks, County Clerk, distributed the Earthquake Insurance quote for the Commission to review.
Currently Traveler's Insurance taps out at 2.5 million in claims with a 1 million deductible. The Leavitt Group (formerly County Wide Insurance) submitted a quote for Earthquake insurance above the Traveler's Insurance as they already broker with the County. This is a supplemental insurance to coincide with Traveler's Insurance. Cost is $149,680.00 with a 5% deductible for 23 million dollars in coverage in addition to the regular coverage..
Motion to accept the proposal from the Leavitt Group for Earthquake Insurance in the amount of $149,680.00 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Greg Mathis. Commissioner C.D. Stewart voted no, Carol Jarrell voted yes, and Greg Mathis voted no. The motion did not pass. The Commission will NOT be getting addition coverage for Earthquake Insurance up to 23 million to cover the cost of replacing the government buildings.
Motion to accept the minutes for April 15, 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to attach the copy of the April 15th minutes to the April 1st minutes showing there was an amendment made on that date made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the closed session minutes for April 15, 2025 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to adjourn at 11:19 a.m. made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commission Carol Jarrell. Both voted yes as Mr. Mathis left the meeting about 10 minutes early.
