Stoddard County Commission Agenda for Monday, December 5, 2022
Please note they will adjourn into Closed Session at 10:30 a.m. then resume Regular Session and then adjourn again into Closed Session at 11:45 a.m. if you plan to attend the meeting. Closed sessions are not open to the public or meda.
The Stoddard County Commissioners met in a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, November 28, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. in the Government Building.
Commissioner Carol Jarrell made a motion to approve the minutes from November 21, 2022. Commissioner Talkington seconded the motion. Both voted yes and passed.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to accept the Republic Services Trash quote for the Sheriff's Department for 2023 in the amount of $315.00 with a fuel recovery fee $31.50 for a total estimated amount of $346.50 per month. Seconded by Commissioner Talkington. Both voted yes and passed.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to accept the Republic Services Trash quote for the Juvenile Justice Center for 2023 in the amount of $243.00 with a fuel recovery fee of $24.30 for a total estimated amount of $267.30 per month. Seconded by Commissioner Talkington. Both voted yes and passed.
Collector Josh Speakman reached out to the Attorney General with regards to MO State Statute 40.070 and signing the voucher for Mr. Alvin Shrader, attorney representing County Clerk Cecil Weeks and Commissioner Danny Talkington, who were subpoenaed by the County Prosecuting Attorney in the Commissioner Steve Jordan's removal from office. "I hopefully will get an answer from the Attorney General this week and I will let Mr. Shrader know why we haven't paid yet."
"I have been using my personal card for postage and hotel stays etc then getting reimbursed from the County," commented Speakman. "I wanted to get your thoughts on getting a card with the County logo etc to use a card connected to the County and not my personal debit card." Commissioner Talkington asked for more information on the card in writing.
Speakmen went into some details as to what he learned at the recent Missouri Association of Counties (MAC) Convention. He attended last week prior to the Thanksgiving Day holiday.
John McCarty - Health Insurance
McCarty brought a form that the Commissioners needed to fill out. He also spoke of different programs available thru the new insurance. He also provided plan details. McCarty will be here on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. to meet with the employees in groups and not individually to go over the plans. This plan is for the 2023 year only. The Commissioners chose to sign a one year contract with the insurance benefits.
Mr. Greg Mathis, elected Presiding Commissioner, who will begin on January 1, 2023, attended the meeting. He had a few questions about the new County health insurance.
He also asked about the audits in 2022. "The County has had several audits in 2022," stated Mathis. "How many have we had and of those audits how many final reports have we received?"
"We just received audit report from Devereux and Company, year ending December 2021." stated Talkington. "The one from the State Auditor's office we are waiting to go over the final draft. They will want to do that sometime next week."
"The one on the Cares Act I have never seen anything on that one," commented Jarrell.
"The feds required that audit (referring to the Cares Act) and one auditor was from Texas and the other from Springfield, MO." commented Talkington. "But I haven't seen anything on it."
Beau Bishop, new Emergency Management Director, attended today's meeting. He had a report to give as well as updates.
1. Received approval of FY22 EMPG grant. All funding approved as submitted, expect fuel travel expenses. It was reduced from $4,500 annually to $1,000 with a $500 match. This was due to budget restrictions.
2. Claims have been filed for the FY21 ARPA EMPG and the FY Regular EMPG 1st Qtr Grants for the July 1st - September 30, 2022 reporting period. Currently working on revisions/additions per SEMA.
3. Met with Paducah National Weather Service Representatives November 15th. Updated contact information with them and currently working on two small projects that they requested assistance on.
4. Attended the NWS Winter Weather Workshop in Jackson, Missouri on November 16th. Discussed current projection for the Winter Weather Season in our area. Met with several local EMD's as well.
5. HMPG Siren and Generator Grants are in a "holding pattern". They both have been reviewed by SEMA and sent to FEMA with a recommendation for approval. It will probably be well into the new year before any approval or rejection decision is made.
6. AFG MOSWIN Radio Grant for Stoddard County Departments is also in a "holding pattern".
7. Meeting today and tomorrow with Radar Omega for camera repair and maintenance on weather cameras installed throughout the County.
8. Meeting with Ben Godwin, Stoddard County Health Department Director, to bring us up to speed on the PPE supplies, Shelter Trailer, and CERT Trailer that are all housed at the Health Department.
9. Bishop and Deputy Director David Whitaker will be out of town the evening of December 5th thru December 7th for training in West plains, Missouri. Class is a "Disaster Management for Public Services"
10. On December 8th, Bishop will be attending a MO SEMA Elevation Certificate Virtual Workshop Webinar for Floodplain training.
Ditch #17
"I just noticed it doesn't look any different," stated Dan Schlosser, Drainage Ditch #17 board member. "I am not sure they have dredged the ditch or not. I just haven't paid attention I guess."
Dredging bids were taken opened on August 15, 2022. Kinder Excavating won the lowest bid of $30,000 to dredge 2,000 feet of Ditch #17. They were to perform the quick in Aug/Sept.
"It does need some mowing, but not sure we will have the funds to mow," continued Schlosser. "I know each drainage ditch stands alone, but the funds are all in one account together."
"We will have to address that in December when we go over the 2023 budget and see where we are in various accounts and funds." commented Talkington.
There were no further discussions or visitors.
Commissioner Jarrell motioned to adjourn at 12:02 p.m. Talkington seconded the motion. All in favor and meeting was adjourned.
The next scheduled meeting is Monday, December 5, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.
Route 114 in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane as construction crews perform shoulder work.
This section of roadway is located from Route 25 to McCormick St. in Dexter, Missouri. Weather permitting, work will take place Tuesday, December 6 through Friday, December 16 from 8 a.m. to 4 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
The Stoddard County Commissioner met in a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, November 21, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.
David Cooper and Debbie Robey, Stoddard County Water District #5 Board Members, asked again about the ARPA funds for the water district.
There is available funds,” Talkington stated. “We have held back $600,000 for things that come up. Not 100% has been allocated.”
Robey stated that in a previous meeting Talkington had said that if she brought by a receipt on a Thursday, the Commissioners could have a check back to her on the following Monday. However after talking with Katelyn Lambert at the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission, all requests for ARPA funds must be submitted them to see if the receipts qualify first. That may take a few days depending on scheduling.
“When the request comes in from you (Debbie) the way we have been doing it is we give it to Bootheel Regional Planning Commission. If they say it qualifies then The Commission can approve the allocation of the funds and process the request,” stated Presiding Commission Danny Talkington.
David Cooper asked about the interest gained from having the ARPA funds sitting in the bank and/or in money market accounts. Talkington stated that the interest from the ARPA funds has been applied back to the ARPA fund account and not General Revenue. Currently as of today, the monies have been assigned to General Revenue and not the ARPA account. There has never been a vote by the Commissioners during an open commission meeting according to the minutes of all meeting since the ARPA funds were available.
Cooper had submitted receipts for ARPA funds and they have been deemed qualified by Bootheel Regional Planning Commission. In today’s meeting the Stoddard County Commissioners have a voucher ready to be signed in the amount of $3,095.25 to give to the Water District #5.
The 10:00 a.m. 2022 Single Audit Bids Open did not occur. The public notice for the bid was placed in the paper without a vote by the Commissioners in any previous meeting.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to advertise for the 2022 Stoddard County Single Audit in the November 30th and December 7th in the Dexter Statesman and perform a Bid Opening on December 12th. Seconded by Talkington. Both voted yes and passed. There are two bids already sealed and in the County Clerk’s office.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to approve the October 12, 2022 Insurance Bid Opening Meeting Minutes. Talkington seconded it. Both voted yes. The previous meeting minutes that were approved in a prior meeting had the wrong date showing November 10th and not October 12th.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to approve the November 14, 2022 Meeting Minutes. Talkington second it. Both voted yes.
Presiding Commissioner Talkington made a motion to approve the voucher for attorney Alvin Schrader billing charges for Danny Talkington and County Clerk Cecil Weeks. The motion was killed due to not having a second by the other County Commissioner Carol Jarrell. There was no vote taken. Jarrell stated that these charges were not previously voted on in commission chambers to use another attorney besides the attorney that the County has on retainer which is Travis Elliot.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to accept the revised Drainage District Tax Book from Collector Josh Speakman’s office dated November 9, 2022. Seconded by Talkington. Both voted yes and the motion passed.
Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to adjourn at 12:02 p.m. Seconded by Commissioner Talkington. Both voted yes.
It’s no secret: As winter approaches, blood donations can be negatively impacted by weather and seasonal illness. Your type O blood donation is critically needed, no matter the weather, so we’re showing our gratitude for dedicated donors like you in an extra cozy way. Those who come to give blood Nov. 23-27 will receive an exclusive American Red Cross knit beanie, while supplies last.
Plus, because your blood type is especially needed, you’ll also get a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice when you come in to give by Dec. 31.**
So many families will be celebrating the holidays a little differently, gathered in a hospital room, thankful that their loved ones are still here with them. We know they’re thankful for you, too. Your one donation may give hope and joy to patients in need.
St. Francis Health Center in Dexter will host a blood drive on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Health Center is located at 1212 Saint Francis Drive. Sponsor Code: SaintFrancisHealthDexter
