Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis opened the regularly scheduled Commission meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer over the 1221st Transportation Unit who lost one of their own, Mr. Landewee, his family, the county employees and emergency management and first responders.
Josh Speakman, Stoddard County Collector, Agreement with Puxico Tax Collections
"The City of Puxico reached out to me a few weeks ago" commented Speakman. "Bloomfield, Essex and Bernie have already done so and I presented to them the ability to collect taxes for the city.
"The governing body of both the city and the county have to bless this agreement before I can move forward," continued Speakman. "The city of Puxico voted yes at their last meeting and now I am asking the Commission to agree to the arrangement."
This is an agreement between Josh Speakman, acting as Collector and the City. He would receive a 1099 at the end of the year and the County receives 1% to go to general revenue.
Motion Stoddard County Commission accepts the agreement between the Collector and the city of Puxico made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Drainage District with Clean-up on #13-33 and Ditch 14
"We are asking that MoDOT divert or consider diverting the water from the swamp low lying area down the north size of Hwy 25 going southwest to ditch 13-33 and 14. The highway ditch is already established, but would need excavated deeper to make this happen," stated Speakman.
"This area of issue, along Hwy 25 has been an existing issue for some time now, with water levels consistent and on the edge of the road that seems to remain and higher than normal levels of rlonger than normal periods of time."
Stoddard County has invested nearly $100,000 dollars on the ditch cleanup project on the north end of the county.
Speakman is spearheading this request. This would be in Little River Drainage system. No motion was made today.
SB190 Tax Credit for the Elderly
"I had two questions about the application," commented Speakman. "One is whether or not to put the Social Security number on the application and if it has to be notarized or not. The ball is in your court (referring to the Commission) as to the decision on these two matters."
Mathis stated they would look at the application and decide next week.
Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County Clerk - Election Update
Only 11 people have voted in the office thus far for the Primary in August. Absentee voting began on June 25th.
"In the last Presidential election the turnout was low for the August primary," commented Weeks. "Only 7,032 people voted in Stoddard County, that's only 36% turnout."
July 24th is the last day to request an Absentee Ballot by mail. You can come up to the government building in Bloomfield and get an Absentee Ballot.
The Saturday prior to the Primary the County Clerk's office will be open all day and on Monday, August 5th will be open until 5 p.m. so people can come in and vote.
Johnson Grass in Liberty Township
Mr. Mathis had received a call from a citizen regarding Johnson Grass in Liberty Township. He contacted someone on the board and they stated that they had already sprayed once and have some additional chemicals on order. They are behind due to picking up the limbs from the storm damage in May.
Dee Loflin, owner of the ShowMe Times asked about the Johnson Grass Board. There are three members on the board and their terms expired in December of 2023. The Commission appoints the board members and typically the Dept of Agriculture sends a reminder letter. No further action was taken at this time.
Scenic Byway Update
All Commissioners have looked over the information and letter received. Mathis said they can possibly get a public meeting set for July 19th.
Peter Coutavas, City of Puxico Alderman, stated that the city will discuss at their regular meeting next week on Thursday, July 18th at 6 p.m. He will discuss the byway coming through Puxico.
Air Conditioner at the IDA Building, owned by the County
Presiding Commissioner Mathis said that the IDA paid $900 to put freon in and there is still a slow leak. He has spoken to Alisha Trammell, Treasuer and Peter Coutavas, Director of the IDA. During the Commission meeting he stated that he has spoken to William Dowdy, Maintenance, who will get some specs on the unit. This will need to be bid out since it will be over $12,000.
The Community Center in Bloomfield, Missouri Grand Opening
Kerri Standley attend the meeting on behalf of the city of Bloomfield and invited everyone to attend a ribbon cutting. The city of Bloomfield received a $2 million dollar CDB Grant to building the new Community Center next to the city park.
On Friday, July 12th there will be a ribbon Cutting at 5 p.m. and then an open house from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. The Center is located at 808 S. Prairie St. Refreshments will be served.
10:00 a.m. Bid Opening for Transport Van Insert
Motion to enter into Bid Opening at 10:22 a.m. by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Then only bid that was presented was from Public Safety Upfitters in the amount of $19,224.00 out of Fenton, Missouri for the vent adapter and insert of the transport van.
Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer for the family of Darren Dixon, those that are serving in Poland with the 1221st Transportation unit out of Dexter, and for the office holders and the decisions they will make this week. Also for the cooler weather today and those candidates that are out campaigning.
Advance Ditch Digging
Mr. C.D. Stewart, Commissioner told the group that the southeast and going up to 25 highway has already been done. The main ditch was stopped off the trees as well. These are ditch cleanups of Ditch #1333 and #14. "Looks like they are getting the job done," commented Stewart.
SB190 Senior Tax Credit on Personal Property Taxes in Stoddard County, Missouri
There was much discussion about the application process and hot to implement to the citizens of Stoddard County for the Senior Citizen Tax Credit. "It is up to the Commission as to ask these questions of citizens," commented Josh Speakman, County Collector/Treasurer. "You have to decide as to whether or not you want to ask for social security numbers, if you want their signature notarized, if you only except the applications in-house or mailed in vis USPS, etc."
"It's really up to the Commission what records do you want the collector to have on file to do the proper research on each applicant," Speakman stated. "We will scan all applications and have not just a paper file, but also an electronic copy as well."
"I think we should the application process from September 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025," continued Speakman.
Stoddard County Real Estate Tax Lien Auction
The Stoddard County Tax Auction will be held on the 4th Monday in August. The Collector's office has sent out certified letters to those people who owe money for Real Estate Taxes and have to be more than 2 years delinquent.
Personal and Real Estate Property Taxes
Speakman spoke at the City of Puxico alderman meeting about the benefits and cons of the Speakman assuming the responsibility of collecting the taxes on behalf of their city. Bell City also reached out to Speakman about the same service he can provide to their city.
Essex Special Paving Project
Speakman noted that there is $18,000 sitting in the Essex Special Paving Project account and has not been used. Mathis stated he will reach out to the current board members and let them know.
Speakman did stated that the Commission could use MO State Statute 50.020 to put the money back into general revenue if they choose not to use the monies.
"We have 8 or 9 total line items of about $10,000 where we do not know the location of ditches. We can easily transfer that money into general revenue. These ditches were created in the early 1900s and there are no maps to speak of to figure out where this money is supposed to go and has just been sitting in that line item for as least three collectors," commented Speakman.
Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith
Smith brought in some invoices from their case management system that have not been paid. Apparently the PA paid 2019 and 2022, but owes for 2020, 2021 and 2023. This year has also been paid.
The amount owed is $2,800 total and invoices were given to the Commission. The invoices were 2020 for $500, 2021 for $500, 2023 for $1,800.
Motion to pay these past due invoices made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion carried.
Carl Hefner, Stoddard County Sheriff's Department
Mr. Hefner stated he would like to use Stellar Services LLC for the inmate banking and commissary products. This would be a new contract with this service. The inmates can purchase items such as toiletries, shampoo, candy, clothing, etc online from this company and have it delivered to the Stoddard County Jail.
Motion to use Stellar Services, LLC beginning September 1, 2024 made by Stewart, seconded by Mathis. Both voted yes and motion carried. Mrs. Carol Jarrell had to leave the meeting early for another appointment.
Other Business
An invoice for the Juvenile Detention Maintenance renewal was presented. This is an annual cost of $3,936 and a motion on floor by Jarrell, seconded by Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
An email was received from Jennifer Hall at MoDOT. This letter is to inform Stoddard County of a proposed Scenic Byway application submitted by the Ozark Run Scenic Byway Group. The 2024 Expansion includes 250 miles of Missouri roadways encompassing several counties including Stoddard. Missouri State Statute 226.797 requires the Missouri Department of Transportation to contact all affected communities to request zoning information for the area identified within the science application.
The byway will follow routes 172, W, KK, and T to pass around the Wappapello area. Turning north at Puxico, the sprint follows Rout 51, H, FF, and then 51 again to reach Marble Hill.
Points of interest in Puxico will be Casa Lopez Mexican Restaurant, Hunt Brothers Pizza, Puxico Bar, Southern Barrel Bar and Grill, Spoon & Spout, and the Midway.
Mathis gave a copy to Peter Coutavas who was in attendance. He is an alderman for the City of Puxico.
Many entities are against the scenic byway, Mr. Mathis said which included Farm Bureau and many land owners. A letter will have to go out possibly or at least in the newspapers to inform the public and a public forum will have to be announced at a future date.
Motion to accept the Minutes for the regular session on June 24, 2024 made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to adjourn at 11:11 a.m. and enter into a closed session regarding personnel made by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
At the time of posting there are no photos of the children available. ShowMe Times will update once they have a photo to share with the media.
The Ripley County Sheriff’s Department has issued an Endangered Person Advisory for a brother and sister reportedly taken by their older brothers.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 7-year-old Raelyn Vargas and 5-year-old Ashton Vargas were forcibly taken by their two older brothers, ages 15 and 16, from their mother in Doniphan at 1:55 a.m. on Friday, June 28.
MSHP said deputies have been in contact with one of the brothers and they will not tell deputies where they are and would only say they are safe and will not bring the two younger children back.
Investigators say the missing children were last seen in a silver or tan Ford truck, with unknown registration, traveling westbound on Route K.
Raelyn Vargas is described as 4 feet inches tall, weighs 60 pounds, has brown hair and hazel eyes, and was last seen wearing a tie-dye Troll shirt, a white sweater, blue shorts and no shoes.
Ashton Vargas is described as 3 feet 5 inches tall, weighs 50 pounds, has brown hair and hazel eyes and was last seen wearing blue shorts and no shoes.
The 16-year-old suspect is described as 6 feet tall, weighs 200 pounds, has red hair, blues eyes and was last seen wearing blue camouflage shorts.
The 15-year-old suspect is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 250 pounds, has brown hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing blue camouflage shorts.
Anyone who has seen Raelyn and Ashton Vargas, the two teen suspects or the truck is urged to contact the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department at 573-996-7123 or their local police department.
Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis opened the weekly meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer for the family of Ryan McAllister who perished in an airplane crash, for all the law enforcement, office holders and their employees.
Reminder that the County offices will be closed on Wednesday for Juneteenth.
Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission
Updated Excel sheet for the ARPA Funds was distributed to the Commissioners and media. "There's about $76,000 left," stated Lambert.
Steve Battles with Dudley Special District put out a bid for gravel, but did not get any bids. He is trying to get quotes now.
Katelyn introduced Cam Schlosser, intern at Bootheel Regional Planning Commission and great-nephew of Commissioner C.D. Stewart.
Senate Bill 190 for the Senior Tax Credit
Motion to adopt the Senior Citizen SB 190 that became law in the state of Missouri made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
"We all realize this was a difficult decision; however many of the school officials are in Savanah, Georgia on a Sr. Beta trip," stated Cindy Crabb, Puxico Superintendent. "They could not be here today."
"Appreciate you all taking the time to listen to our side," stated Jason Karnes, Bloomfield Superintendent.
"We are the first county in Southeast Missouri to discuss this SB 190 bill and I felt like we did needed to address it," commented Commissioner Greg Mathis.
Josh Speakman, County Collector/Treasurer will have to hire an individual in the Collector's office to oversee all the senior citizen tax credit including the research necessary for each individual to receive their credit. . This will cost the county about $75,000 total dollars including benefits, work comp insurance and salary, etc.
The ordinance will be written up and given to members of the media and to the superintendents of the school districts.
Speakman will create an application and will be approved at the next meeting. Applications will NOT be available for seniors until the Commission approves the Application and the deadline to apply will be June 30, 2025.
Motion to accept the Ordinance for Senate Bill 190/Propert Tax Relief for Seniors dated June 17, 2024 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Beau Bishop, EMA Director
On Sunday, May 26, 2024 a major storm hit the city of Dexter and parts of Stoddard County.
One Damage Assessment performed in Dudley - major
Four Damage Assessments performed in Essex - two major and two minor
Two Damage assessments Performed surrounding Dexter - two major
Dexter Fire Depart performed damage assessments in Dexter - 52 major, 128 minor
A major is considered when outside comes into a structure, like a tree puncturing a roof.
EMA RHSOC Generator Deployed to the City of Bernie to power the City Water Plant. this was within two hours of the city being completely without water. They deployed Sunday, May 26th at 1 p.m. and returned on Monday May 27th at noon.
"I was in contact with Penermon Village Mayor Chester Hill about their sewer system being down," stated Bishop. "I advised the EMA RHSOC Generator could be deployed to assist. Mr. Hill informed they would backlash their system which got them by until they had electricity the next morning."
Stoddard County Sheriff's Department asked to use the EMA Water stored in the basement of the Government Building. They took the water to Essex and made rounds handing out water to people that needed it. With the assistance of Dexter Chamber office, contact was made with Pepsi Marion and three pallets of new water was secured. One pallet was delivered to Bloomfield Fire Department for their use and two pallets replaced the water handed out and it is stored in the basement of the Government Building.
FME IA (Individual Assistance) Assessment performed on June 3, 2024. Present for the Assessment was FEMA, SEMA, SBA, Stoddard County EMA Director, and City of Dexter EMA Director Don Seymore. Preliminary numbers were: 58 homes surveyed, 24 major, 6 destroyed, 2 affected and 26 minor.
FEMA PA (Public Assistance) Assessment performed on June 6, 2024.Present for the Assessment was FEMA, SEMA, Stoddard County EMA Director, and City of Dexter EMA Director. Sites assessed were City of Dexter Street Department, Dexter East City Park, Stoddard County Fair Grounds, Sugar Plum Park, and two locations that the City of Dexter set up for debris burning.
Stoddard County EMA and City of Dexter EMA are still in contact with the State to bring in more Debris removal teams. Teams are slow getting here because of being deployed about the U.S. A lot of debris left is going to need specialized teams with bigger equipment.
MARC (Multi Agency Resource Center) was requested by Stoddard County EMA and City of Dexter EMA on Wednesday, May 29th. Resources were sourced and gathered by SEMA and the MARC was able to help at the City o fDexter East Park on Tuesday, June 11th. MARC served 107 households, 284 people, and 100 at the outside FOOD POD.
Special thanks to WW Wood for organizing and cleaning up the Debris in Dudley. Volunteers and Essex Special Road District for the clean-up effort in and around Essex. Liberty Township for the clean-up efforts in their township, and countless other organizations and residents for their help.
"SEMA and FEMA have not made their declarations yet for assistance. That will come in the next month I suspect," commented Bishop.
"I am moving forward to get with City of Dexter EMA Director Don Seymore to get teams in here to get trees cut up and the debris moved. Main priority and focus is to get more a more organized COAD and VOAD to make sure we are better prepared next time there is a bad storm or even an earthquake," stated Bishop.
Supplement Insurance Agent
"We had on the Agenda that a supplement insurance agent would be here today. I contacted the gentlemen and he will be at next week's meeting." stated Commissioner Mathis. Employees already have AFLAC with a local agent.
Water District #5
There is a precautionary boil water advisory. Water District #5 was able to cover the pipes and are monitoring. They will still have to repair the entrance to that pond on private property, but at least the water pipe repair has been made.
Other Business:
Motion to except the meeting minutes from June 3, 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to except the meeting minutes from June 10, 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Update SB40 Board of Resignation
The Commission received a letter regarding the SB 40 Board Resignation from Josh Hester. The Commission will need to publicize it in the newspaper for two weeks. There are three terms that expire June 30, 2024. Danny Griffin and Ray McLane both would like to renew their board spots. Herman Morse and Pat Holloway have requested to be on the board.
"Traditionally it has been placed in the Dexter Statesman," stated Commissioner Carol Jarrell. "There are three positions that will term on June 30, 2024. We will need to advertise for those positions."
Candy Collier, Stoddard County Recorder
"I would like to request money from the ARPA funds to convert some of our roll film and put on a Zip drive," stated Collier. "We have slowly got things backed up to 1975 and would like to continue and do it in stages.
The cost of this is $19,000 for five year of converting roll film to a Zip drive.
"Our documents go back to 1835 that we have available, just not on computer," commented Collier.
Reminder from Josh Speakman that the Land Sale will be in August 2024.
Motion to enter into closed session for the purpose of personnel made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart at 11:09 a.m. seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
The Stoddard County Commission will make three appointments to the Senate Bill 40 Board for the terms ending on June 30, 2024.
Any and all interested individuals who would like to serve should send a letter of interest or a resume' to the Stoddard County Clerk's office, P.O. Box 110, Bloomfield, MO 63825.
Deadline to submit is June 28, 2024.
A determination will be made after the deadline.
