The Stoddard County Commissioners began their Monday morning meeting with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance on October 3, 2022.
Presiding Commissioner Danny Talkington and Commissioner Carol Jarrell were present.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to select Conexon, an engineering firm out of Kansas City, MO, to be the firm to handle the broadband in the Puxico area. There were a total of four engineering firms who submitted bids. Talkington said they checked on references as well. Conexon was selected on their ability to do the engineering based on an evaluation put in place by the commissioners. The cost of the engineer is unknown at this time. They will draw up the plans for the broadband and bill the County accordingly. Seconded by Commissioner Talkington. Both voted yes.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to approve the Meeting Minutes from September 26, 2022. Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes.
In those minutes they approved the Bank of Advance agreement to handle the County's direct deposit of payroll, voted to delay the selection of the broadband engineers to the following Monday, voted to delay the voting of the Investment Policy until the following Monday, approved the September 19, 2022 minutes. and voted to amend the previous meeting minutes to include ASA Asphalt as the company performing the work for paving Seneca St., Court St., and Viola Street.
Water District #5 News - "I've had the same water leak for over a month. They have been out twice and may have thought it was fixed, but it is not. There is no phone number on the front door of the office for people to call. I would like to know if the water meters were read and if bills are going to be sent out," commented by Debbie Robey, a concerned citizen.
When asked about the update on the Water District #5 board, Talkington stated that it was an ongoing investigation due to the removal of Commissioner Steve Jordan. He has been on the phone with attorneys this week and will bring Commissioner Jarrell up-to-date. He will then contact Brandi Ross at the Water District #5. She is the only remaining board member.
A letter to request Administrative Services bids will be sent out to 23 pre-approved groups that CDBG has on file for them to have the opportunity to bid on the Administrative Services for the Duck Creek Township block grant project. Talking said it was discovered that those agencies needed to be contacted. Those bids will be opened on October 17th. Bids will be due by October 14th. Bids from the public notice in the Dexter Statesman were due on October 5th. Those bids will be opened on the 17th as well.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to approve the Investment Policy presented by the Stoddard County Collector/Treasurer Josh Speakman. Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes. The Investment Policy reflects the principles set forth in RSMO 30.950, 1997 and allows the treasurer to make investments in U.S. Treasuries and securities having principal and/or interest guaranteed by the U.S. government as well as collateralized demand deposits.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to adjourn at 12:05 p.m. Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes.
The Commissioners entered into closed session at 1:30 p.m. per RSMo: 610.021(12) to interview for EMA Director.
Photo taken in an earlier commissioner meeting in August.
Route AB in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
This section of roadway is located from Route 25 to Route N near Bloomfield, Missouri.
Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Oct. 6 from 7 a.m. to 5 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
Stoddard County Commission Agenda for a Work Session on Thursday, September 20th at 9:00 a.m. in the government building.
The Stoddard County Commission met on Monday, September 26, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.
In the their first business of the day, Commissioner Carol Jarrell made the motion to vote on the agreement for electronic payroll payments between the County of Stoddard and Bank of Advance. Presiding Commissioner Danny Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes to the agreement.
Creative Data Systems will be here Thursday and Friday in the government building to put in the cameras that were ordered. They will also put in new wiring as well.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to postpone the vote on the Engineering Firm on the Broadband project until Monday, October 3, 2022 in order to check references. Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes.
The vote on the County Investment Policy will also be postponed until Monday, October 3, 2022. Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to postpone the vote until County Collector Josh Speakman is available if there are any questions. He is out of town at a conference. Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes.
Greg Mathis attended the meeting and asked permission to review the minutes and other documents to get himself acclimated back into the commission business. He was voted in as the new Presiding Commissioner in the August 2022 primary and will run opposed in the November election.
David Cooper, citizen of Water District #5, asked the Commissioners what was going on with the #5 Board of Directors. He had several questions as to who could appoint, how many were on the board, who was collecting bills, paying bills etc.
Commissioner Talkington stated that there was an ongoing investigation/lawsuit and he could not comment on anything with regards to Steve Jordan. Once he speaks to Circuit Court Judge Rob Mayer with regards to who appoints the board members etc he did not have an answer. They currently need 4 or 5 members to serve that live within the water district.
"Is this normal when a situation like this happens," commented Cooper. "Do you all take full control of the board and write the checks?" Talkington explained he did not have an answer until he spoke to Judge Mayer.
"What is our action plan," stated Cooper. Talkington said he would have a better answer for him once he talked to Judge Mayer.
Brandi Ross is the only board member left and she is trying her best to work with the Commissioners and Justin Bell, city of Bloomfield, to keep the water flowing and getting a board in place. Bell is very familiar with the software that is being used to receive payments and set up new water accounts.
Water District #5 is currently receiving water from the city of Bloomfield. The City is helping take care of mechanical issues as well.
Ross is able to accept money for payment, make deposits and pay bills. A Water District requires two signatures on the check in order to pay the bills. Jordan had volunteered to be on the checking account since the water district was in the northern part of the county in his district. The Commissioners approved that in a prior meeting.
Three people have been appointed to the Water District Board by the Commissioners. All three were voted on during a regularly scheduled commission meeting. Since that time two of the three have told Commissioner Talkington they do not wish to served. McKenzie Farmer and Austin Williams have decided to not serve. At publication date they have not heard from the third person, Daniel Fitts.
Cotner Electric is supposed to get a proposal together on the new generator for the sheriff's department as they need a larger more powerful one. The sheriff's old generator will then be moved to the Justice Center as theirs is about to be mechanically broken.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to approve the minutes Monday, September 19, 2022. Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to include Asa Asphalt as the company chosen to do the asphalt work around the jail. That motion was voted on at the September 19, 2022. No need to amend the minutes, just adding the name of the company that was left off originally. Seconded by Danny Talkington. Both voted yes.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to adjourn at 11:59 a.m. Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes.
