The Stoddard County Commission meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.  

Minutes from last week's meetings are not available as Mrs. Wheeler needed to be off work.  

ARPA Funds

"It's ARPA day here at the Stoddard County Commissioners meeting," commented Commissioner Mathis.

"I did confirm with Ryan Slinkard, City of Advance,  $674,000 was originally requested.  Numbers were reversed on the spreadsheet," according to Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission. "I just wanted to clarify from last week's meeting."

List of ARPA Funds requested/allocated/approved from 2021 - present:

City of Dexter $400,000 June 4, 2021 approved, but not paid.

Stoddard County Broadband (Matching Funds) 2021 $1 million approved, but not paid.

Public Water District #3 Essex/Gray Ridge $202,439 June 14, 2021 requested and approved, paid to date -  $198,074.00.   

Public Water District #6. Bernie requested $136,500.00  Requested on June 21, 2021.  (Not sure if approved or not)

City of Advance - Request $674,000 - June 2021 - 

"Have not received anything from the commission as to a yes or no on the project," stated Ryan Slinkard, Mayor of Advance.

City of Bloomfield $400,000 June 2021 - Reason for the request was to lessen the burden of the rates for the people.  This request has not been approved by previous Commission.  Mr. Mathis will contact Mayor Aslin on this request for further information.

Water District #5 Request $31,311.00 in June of 2021.  Paid $3,095.00 for Pipe repairs in 2022.

Mingo Residential Care Facility - July 2021 Requested $38,758.68.  This request has been cancelled by the previous owner Terry Cole.

City of Bernie - July 2021 - $183,349.00 for a sewer project/truck.  Mr. Mathis and Mrs. Jarrell will contact Mayor Tillman for more information.

Stoddard County EMA - Denied - This amount will be taken out of the 2022 budget and not out of ARPA Funds.

Public Water District #4 requested $247,000 - August 2021 - Leah Huffman is the contact person and Mr. Mathis and Mr. Lintz will contact her about the funds.

Stoddard County Ambulance District requested $225,000 in 2021. Approved and has been paid $126,940 and $89,250.00 -   In October of 2020 were approved for CARES Act monies, the approval had fallen through the cracks and the Commissioners ran out of funds.  

"We told SCAD that they could put requests in for ARPA Funds for new purchases not related to what they purchased during the CARES Act request," commented Commissioner Jarrell. "That way they could purchase new equipment that was highly needed and would not come out of their budget."

To date SCAD has received a total of $216,190.00 so they still have about $8,810.00 in approved ARPA Funds.

Bell City Fire Dept requested $253,173 January of 2022 - Former Presiding Commissioner Danny Talkington asked that apply for other funds assistance to firefighter grant - Not sure if they went after any additional monies. Mr. Mathis and Mr. Lintz will contact them for further information.

Stoddard County Sheriff's Office - Requested $165,250 in 2022 for a body scanner.  They were approved and paid for the body scanner in 2022

City of Bernie - Via email at 4:12 p.m. on January 6, 2023 requested $480,000 for a water basin.  Legal approved as a good project.  Lacking Commission Approval at this time. Mr. Mathis and Mrs. Jarrell will contact the mayor.     

City of Dexter - $400,000 approved by Commission in 2022.  This is a two-part project totaling $800,000.  City of Dexter has not been paid.

Doug Lowery with Duck Creek Township - "We put in last year for a grant for $500,000 to re-asphalt the road and the Commission never signed off to send into the state. Because of that, the deadline was missing so we are now requesting ARPA Funds today, January 17, 2023.  Reason is County Road 420 is a major road for us and needs repair.    

"It won't slip through the cracks this time. I promise you," stated Commissioner Mathis.   "You will get an answer from us!"     

City of Advance, Ryan Slinkarkd, Mayor of Advance - "Parkview Acres area wants to be annexed because the drinking water is not drinkable and they cannot even use it to cook.  If we annex that portion of the town and they want to be annexed.  In June 2021 we asked for $500,000.  We never heard back from the Commission.  Now we would like to ask for more because Smith & Co. has a quote of $874,000. Prices have increased since 2021.  The scope of the project has not changed just the amount of monies requested."

They are eligible to apply for other grants through the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission on top of whatever monies are received by the Commission according to Lambert.

"Typically how long does it take to get a CDGB Grant? asked Mathis.  It would take 6 + months to get the monies according to Lambert.

"Advance did pass a bond issue and will kick-off in the fall of 2023.  The bond issue can not be used for the annexation and water/sewer for the people in Parkview Acres," stated Slinkard.

It was stated that the ARPA Funds must have a commitment by December 2024, and spent by December 2026 by Lambert.

"I understand the process so if I have any other questions I can get with Bootheel," stated Slinkard.

"I would like Bootheel to keep us up to date," Mathis said.

"We obviously have monies that have not been approved by the Commission.  We need to get together with these folks who have applied for ARPA funds and see where we are currently," continued Mathis.

New information came out of the meeting that had not been originally discussed by previous Commission pertaining to the ARPA Funds.

Distribution Agreement will have to be signed by the water district or municipalities that are not a part of the Stoddard County.  They will submit their Cost Requests directly to Bootheel Regional Planning Commission, contact is Katelyn Lambert.  

"Let's pretend that city XYZ has a project going on and they do not have the money in their budget to complete the project.  Can they do the pay request directly to Bootheel Regional?  Yes, per Travis Elliot, Stoddard County's attorney, as long as they follow correct steps in the Distribution Agreement.   The county can actually pay the invoice director to the vendor.  If the city does not follow the steps you do not have to pay.  There will have to be some form of tracking in place to obtain invoices and reciepts.

These questions were in regard to city of Bernie not having the funds up front to complete the projects.  According to Lamber, "I have not heard from the city of Bernie on any CDGB grant.  They have not contacted me on that special grant just ARPA funds last Friday, January 6th for the $480,000," stated Lambert.

"What do you have for us Mrs. Trammel,"  stated Mathis.

"I need a new approval and a commitment letter to city of Dexter is what I need today," per Alisha Trammell, City of Dexter Chamber of Commerce Director. 

Smith & Co. Engineering Bridge Repair Update

Colter Gaebler from Smith & Co. Engineering stopped by to say hello and to answer questions about how BRO works.  

The BRO process has changed - all the monies go into one big pot.  Each county would request funds for eligible bridges to get repaired.  There is one bridge #784 county road bridge will be completed by March 31, 2023.

#760 was completed in November 2022 and open to traffic.  Just a few papers to sign and get MoDOT to finish paying.

Brent Stidham, Stoddard County Coroner

"Everything is on paper in the Coroner's office.  Sometimes I get fax or a letter in the mail with medial records, etc.  There is a system out there for Coroners, a software program to upload all the information including medical records.  It's $220 per year.  It would be good to have to upload documents and photos and it is web based so there would be no additional costs for computers etc.  I can even use my phone even." commented Stidham. 

"If it's in your budget then do it.  It's at your discretion," stated Mathis.

Marijuana Tax 

Motion that the Stoddard County Commission places a 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana.  Commissioner Carol Jarrell made a motion, seconded by Mathis.  Any discussion?  Everyone is doing this just about every city and county is putting it on the April 4th ballot.  "If it is put on and it is passed, can it go to a certain fund or in general revenue," asked Mathis.  

"My understanding is that you can write this two different ways.  One way is going to General Revenue and it can go to anything the Commission want or designate the monies and then you are locked in," commented County Clerk Cecil Weeks.

In the last election 61% were not in favor of recreational marijuana and 38% were in favor of it according to records for Stoddard County.

"We have no idea what kind of tax revenue this will generate," commented Commissioner Lintz. If we do not put it on the ballot now it would be next year or hold a special election.

Vote was taken, Lintz yes, Jarrell yes, Mathis yes.  Passed without prejudice.

Transportation Committee

Motion made by Commissioner Jarrell to appoint Greg Lintz to the Transportation Committee.  Seconded by Mathis.  Lintz abstained from voting.  Mathis and Jarrell voted yes.

Motion made by Commissioner Jarrell to appoint David Wyman to the Transportation Committee.  Seconded by Lintz.  All three voted yes.

Adds and Abates

Adds and Abates from Josh Spearman, County Collector.  Motion to approve the adds and abates made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Lintz.  All voted yes and passed without prejudice.

Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to adjourn at 12:07 p.m. seconded by Commissioner Lintz.  All voted yes and passed without prejudice.

Bernie, MO - The city of Bernie will hold a public hearing on Monday, January 23, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at 101 West Main in Bernie to discuss the city's submission of an application for the fiscal year 2022 Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) program according to a public notice posted on their building. (Though I think the CDGB Grant is for the 2023 year). 

The city is interested in obtaining all citizens' input on community development needs within the city.  As part of the hearing process citizens will be asked to verbally assist in the completion of a Needs Assessment document.  This document will detail what the residents feel are strengths and weaknesses of the community.

The city of Bernie needs as much local participation as possible in order to reflect the true desires of the community as a whole as well as the comments relating to the proposed project application.  The state of Missouri has established a maximum application request for each funding category.  Activities that are eligible for funding include the improvement of public works, public facilities, housing rehabilitation and others called by law.  At least 51% of the funds must be used to benefit low-and-moderate income persons.  No displacement of persons will be proposed.

The city of Bernie is proposing to repair and rehabilitate the water system throughout the Bernie Community.  The city is seeking $750,000 from CDGB for gap funding to accompany the USDA Loan and Grant.  The project if funded will benefit 52% low/moderate income persons.  All citizens including those in the targeted area are encouraged to attend in order to comment on the proposed activities.

For more information on the proposed project contact City Clerk at (573) 293-5318 or by email at jacobcameron@berniemo.com. If you need special accommodations for the public hearing, including LEP assistance, please contact the city clerk by January 20th by 12:00 p.m.  The meeting will be held at an accessible location and the city will make every effort possible to provide reasonable accommodations.

(Notice of Public Hearing was sent to the ShowMe Times by a concerned citizen.  The ShowMe Times will be in attendance.)

Route FF In Stoddard County Closed for Railroad Maintenance

Route FF in Stoddard County will be closed as railroad crews perform railroad maintenance on the tracks.  

This section of the roadway is located from West Main Street to South Main Street in Essex, Missouri.  

Weather permitting, work will take place Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area. 

The Stoddard County Commissioners will not meet on Monday, January 16th due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday.  They will be meeting on Tuesday, January 17th at 9:00 a.m. at the Stoddard County Government building in the Commission Chambers next to the Clerk's Office.

Agenda reads:

1.  Approve previous minutes from January 9, 2023 and the (Special Session Meeting on Thursday, January 12, 2023).

2.  Approve December Adds/Abates from Josh Speakman, County Collector's Office

3.  Vote on the Marijuana Tax Appearing on the Tuesday, April 4, 2023 ballot

4.  Doug Lower, Duck Creek Township - ARPA Funding Request

5.  Appoint Transportation Advisory Committee

6. Old Business

7. New Business

The Stoddard County Commissioners met on Monday, January 10, 2023.  The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.  Twenty-three people were on hand to start the morning.

District #2 Commissioner Carol Jarrell made a motion to accept the Regular Meeting Agenda as well as the Closed Session Agenda for today.  Mathis seconded. Both voted yes and passed without prejudice.

Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to accept the Meeting Minutes from Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Mathis seconded.  Both voted yes and passed without prejudice.

Commissioner Jarrell made a motion to accept the Meeting Minutes from Wednesday, January 4, 2023 as written.  Seconded by Mathis.  Both voted yes and passed without prejudice.

Stoddard County Clerk Cecil Weeks swore in Mr. Greg Lintz, District #1 County Commissioner.  He was congratulated and took his seat.  He replaces Commissioner Steve Jordan, northern district commissioner.

Stoddard County Jail Generator

On August 29, 2022 there was a discussion about the generator after a Commission meeting.  There are no are minutes of the conversation.  It was a verbal agreement that the old generator for the old jail would be moved to the Justice Center and a new generator be purchased for the new Jail Expansion with a committed pay of $100,000 from the County.  The total project would be around $380,000.  

"Somewhere along the way the agreement got unraveled."

Mr. Shawn Harding, Senior Associate with HMN Architectural Firm, said he had not received a change order for the generator; however Steve Brown with Brown Construction said he emailed the Change Order to him.  Brown will go back and find the Order and send to both Harding and Mathis.

Apparently there was a storm that rolled through causing a power outage at the Stoddard County Jail.  This is when they discovered the problems that the old generator could not handle the power of the new jail.  

Andy Holden stated, "No heat no ac, water control system for the inmates is electric as well.  When the power went out a freezer also went out.  Back-up lights for 90 minutes only unless on a generator.  Elevator also can not work with out a new generator.  There are other minor issues, but these are the big things."

Ross & Baruzzini an engineering firm that did the electrical specs for the new Stoddard County Jail has been informed.  Mr. Harding will contact them as soon as possible to take care of the difference between the $380,000 and the $100,000 committed by the County.  They should have known what it was going to take electrically to keep the jail going in case of a power outage.

Cotner Electric is the sub-contractor who did the actual electrical work for the Stoddard County Jail.  They could do the electrical work; however it is not currently wired, just sitting there.  A temporary generator will have to be put in place, redo conduit for two or three days and then two or more days to wire, so about a week overall.

"I'm putting you on notice. (speaking to Sean Harding with HMN Architectural Firm)  I don't want to get into a $380,000 game of chicken. I'm not blinking," Mathis stated. (Mathis later said he doesn't speak for Jarrell or Lintz)

There were some other issues regarding flooring and cameras.  Holden and Sheriff Carl Hefner will go over those items with Mr. Harding today.

Ben Godwin, Director of the Stoddard County Public Health Center and Jeff Riddle, Health Department Board Member

The Health Dept is currently doing all the advertising for board positions for the April election, library board, etc and typically in other counties the County Clerk takes care of all that.  There are also 3 board positions up for re-election for the Health Dept.  We need to get with someone to transition the advertising of these positions to the County Clerk's office.

Statement from Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis in reference to former Commissioner Steve Jordan: "Steve Jordan contacted me at home last Tuesday.  He has requested back-pay, insurance, attorney fees, and unemployment benefits.  I told him I have no idea if he entitled to all that.  Have your attorney send a letter to the Commissioner and any MO State Statutes that may apply.  That's all that is being said about that at this time."

Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission

She distributed a spreadsheet on ARPA Funding.  It shows the amounts requested and those that have received funding.

Russ Oliver, Attorney at Law

Stated he is assisting the city of Advance on funding as he owns a grant writing company in Dexter.  They requested $674,000 in June 2021.  Mathis state they are on the list and he will dive into ARPA Funds after the budget is set.  That's a major priority.

Stoddard County MU Extension Office turned in their budget requests.

Alisha Trammell, Dexter Chamber of Commerce ask that the fund for the city of Dexter be moved to another project similar to the one they had requested in June of 2021.  She could not go into any details at this time, but it was for water and sewer.

"I have reached out to Travis Eliot, county attorney, to see if the monies designated to the previous project can be moved to the new project since it is still involving water and sewer projects." stated Lambert.

City of Bernie has requested via email for ARPA funds for a water project on Friday, January 6, 2023 at 4:12 p.m. by Mr. John Chittenden, Waters Engineering on behalf of Mayor James Tillman. 

Bootheel Regional Planning and Duck Creek Township

Duck Creek Township, a proposal, street grant, CDGB, Bootheel Regional could not get that grant as it never went passed the process with the previous commissioners.  They did not sign by deadline. Bootheel Regional is looking for other options.  When CDGB announces their competitive cycle before they can announce for this year's monies.  Duck Creek Township will have to applying again. 

County Road 784 Bridge

Bridges are graded differently now and it is a long process; however the bridge on County Road 784  has been approved by the MoDOT Board.

Motion from Stoddard County Commission to allow Mrs. Jarrell to sign the Notice to Proceed to repair County Road Bridge 784.   Motion by Commissioner Lintz, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All were in favor and passed without prejudice.

Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County Clerk 

"Since the legalization of Marijuana, it is legal for the County to impose a 3-cent sales tax on recreational Marijuana only, not medicinal.  In order to pass this it has to on the April ballot it has to be approved by January 24, 2023," commented Weeks.

Mathis asked where does the tax monies land and Weeks stated General Revenue.  Then the County can decide how to allocate the funds in the budget.  It would be at the end of the year before you would see any benefit.

Motion to put on the Tuesday, January 17, 2023 Agenda to vote on the  proposed County Sales Tax on marijuana made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Lintz.  All three commissioners voted yes and passed without prejudice.

Budget Information

The County must allow a Public Notice to be in the Dexter Statesman for at least 10 days prior to the vote of the budget and at Notice of at least 5 working/business days to let the public know when that meeting will take place.   The Commissioners will need to get the county budget done by January 13th and submit a Public Notice to the Dexter Statesman for the January 18th paper.  Then they can have a Public Hearing on the Budget on January 25th at 9 a.m. prior to voting in the new budget.

Motion made by Jarrell to go into Closed Session pursuant to RSMo: Section: 610.021 (13) - Personnel at 11:30 a.m.  Seconded by Lintz.   All three voted yes and passed without prejudice.

The Commissioners came back into Open Session at 1:01 p.m. approximately 1.5 hours later.

General statement from the closed session by Presiding Commissioner Mathis.  He stated that they are requesting more information with regards to the employee in question.  No motions or votes were taken during the closed session.

Employees Health Insurance

Mr. McCarty from Arch Insurance for the employee/elected officials health insurance for 2023 had available what has currently been proposed.  He stated that the Summary of Benefits were not clear when he received that information; however he was to provide steerage towards SoutheastHEALTH.  He referred to page 6 showing the upped $1,500 for in-network and the $3,000 for out-of-network.

"Does not provide any steerage to the local hospital to protect that hospital.  We did go back and get discount approvals.  "they" came back with a possible 2 Tier network which can also include a in-network and out-net-work.  Southeast is substantially less than St. Francis.  We do have the option at no additional cost $500, $2,000 and $4,000."

"Southeast would be a Tier 1 at a $500 deductible and St. Francis would be Tier 2 at $2,000 deductible and out-of-network at $4,000 deductible."

"The County has a credit with Symetra and we will no longer have our stop-loss with them.  BRM Specialty is the stop-laws provider now going forward."

Mathis made it clear that he is on the board of SoutheastHEALTH of Stoddard County.

"Based on discounts from SoutheastHEALTH for the county are deeper than with St. Francis."

Motion to give Mr. McCarty from Arch Brokerage Inc. to move forward to establishing Stoddard County Health Insurance for employees and elected officials to a Tier-3 Policy.  Motion made by Lintz, seconded by Jarrell.  All in favor and motion passed without prejudice.

Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Jarrell.  Seconded by Linzt.  All voted yes to adjourn at 1:28 p.m.