The City of Dexter will have their annual Spring Cleanup during th month of April.
Bulk trash pickup is being offered by the city each Friday in April.
"Red Tags" may be purchased at City Hall or Harp's Grocery Store for furniture or other bulky items for $1.00 each.
Major appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, and hot water heaters require a "Blue Tag" and can also be purchased at City Hall or Harp's Grocery Store. the cost for Blue Tags are $10 each. There is a limit of four (4) items to be picked up.
Red Tags may also be purchased for Yard Waste pickup.
You MUST call the Water Department at (573) 624-5527 by Thursday of each week to schedule either the bulk trash or yard waste pickup (one call per household please).
Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek visited Stoddard County Sheltered Workshop this morning to highlight the resources and opportunities available for individuals with disabilities. Stoddard County Sheltered Workshop is one of 89 workshop corporations located around the state of Missouri, which collectively provide employment for approximately 6,100 people with disabilities.
"I am pleased that Mr. Malek chose the Stoddard County Sheltered Workshop to visit and tour," commented Devin Miller, Executive Director of the Workshop. "These people are like family and really enjoy coming to work each and every day. They are very proud of what we do here and I just think they are great!"
During the visit, Treasurer Malek shared information about the MO ABLE program: “Achieving financial independence is a goal that all Missourians deserve to strive for. MO ABLE can help people with disabilities achieve this goal by saving money on qualified expenses, growing their savings through investments while preserving eligibility for the benefits they rely on every day.”
Through MO ABLE, eligible Missourians with disabilities have the opportunity to open an investment account and save money without losing eligibility for other benefits, such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Money from MO ABLE accounts may be spent for qualified expenses, including basic living costs, housing, transportation, employment training, education, health and wellness, and financial management. Earnings from these accounts are not subject to federal and state income tax when spent on qualified expenses.
In recognition of National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Treasurer Malek continues a month-long effort to promote the MO ABLE program. He is visiting sheltered workshops across Missouri, and attended the Special Olympics “State Indoor games” in Saint Louis this past Saturday.
For more information about the MO ABLE program, please visit moable.com or contact (800) 439-1653. To learn more about Missouri’s sheltered workshops, visit moworkshops.org or contact the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) at dese.mo.gov.
Pictured are Vivek Malek and Devin Miller, Executive Director of the Stoddard County Sheltered Workshop.
The Stoddard County Commissioners began their meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer over the County.
Old Business:
ARPA Funds
Motion to pay $11,500 to the city of Puxico for the new roof for the Puxico Library which was already approved out of the ARPA Funds made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D.Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
New Business:
Star Acres Subdivision
A new subdivision called Star Acres located on Shoplot Lane in Liberty Township has been newly created.
Motion to accept the plat for Star Acres located on Shoplot Lane in Liberty township made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Other Business:
Canine Death Investigation Update - No updates at this time per Presiding Commission Greg Mathis and Sheriff Carl Hefner.
ADA Documentation Update - Document for the ARPA Funds has been signed by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis and submitted to Bootheel Regional Planning Commission.
Juror Pay Increase Update: Commissioner Greg Mathis stated, "I will get input from the three judges regarding Jurors Pay." At the previous Commission meeting Josh Speakman had requested that the pay for jurors be raised.
Motion to accept the minutes from March 18, 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to go into Closed Session made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart at 11:02 a.m., seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Commissioner Carol Jarrell began the regular weekly meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer over the county. Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis will arrived a little late this morning due to some unforeseen circumstances.
Old Business
Motion to approve the March 11, 2024 regular meeting minutes made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to approve the March 11, 2024 closed meeting minutes made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the March 11, 2024 Bid Opening Meeting minutes made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Commissioner Greg Mathis arrived at 9:30 a.m.
Motion to approve the Bid for Roper Excavating for the clean-out of Ditch #1333 and #14 in the amount of $109,140.00 made by Commissioner C.D.Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Pam Wheeler, Stoddard County Clerk's Office - 504 ADA Compliance
"We have many versions of this," stated Wheeler. "Actually we have three versions." After several minutes of hammering out the compliance issues motions were made.
Motion to adopt section 504/ADA Grievance Procedure made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to pass Resolution 03-18-2024 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA act of 1990 to provide comprehensive civil rights protection to individuals with Disabilities in the area of employment, public accommodations, state and local Government services and programs, and telecommunications made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Josh Speakman, Stoddard County Collector/Treasurer
Personal property falls off once it is five years delinquent. this could be due to death or a business closing that we can not collect taxes from. it is usually around $50,000 to $60,000 each year.
The collector does make attempts to collect by sending a letter each year to the individual. The 2018 amount is $66,718.94 that will not be collected.
Motion to accept the 2018 Tax Year Outlaw Report made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Speakman also asked that the Commission consider increasing the pay for jurors along with mileage paid. Currently the state reimburses $6.00 per day for each juror. The County pays $12 per day to each juror if they are not selected and $18.00 per day if selected to serve in a jury trial. The county pays $.25 per mile to jurors to drive from home to the courthouse and back home again.
"I just feel like $12 a day is just too low," stated Speakman. "My recommendation is $25 a day for non-serving and $50 a day for those who serve and $.50 a mile."
Missouri State statutes 494.455 and 488.040 address the minimums required by counties to pay jurors.
The Commissioners will review and compare to other counties. They will decide at a later meeting.
Motion to make the payment on the Drainage Ditch #1333 in the amount of $13,675.41 and Ditch #14 at $75,275.76 cleanup shall be paid as follows out of Stoddard County General Revenue by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to adjourn at 12:03 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All voted yes and motion passed.
The Stoddard County Commission began their meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis who prayed over the 1221st Transportation Unit who has been deployed to Poland.
Old Business
Motion to accept the bid from Hessling Co. to mop and clean out Ditch No. 19 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
New Business
Water District No. 6 - Zach Tanner and Ronnie Owens
Tanner stated, "We have had some unforeseen budget issues that have occurred in the last 6 - 8 months that have depleted our funds. We are seeking help." The following are reasons to the depletion of funds.
1. Water District No. 6 is consuming capital due to the fiber optic project with GoSEMO Fiber. They have having to make "locates" and repair of the lines.
2. Upcoming census of the lead/copper pipe inventory in our waterway and the home homers as they must be in compliance by October.
3. The build of the tank took so long that it cost more to build. Sandblasting and repainting the water tank. It was quoted at $136,000, but because it took so long it cost $150,00
"We currently have $6,500 in CDs and some funds in the bank. We only have about $10,000 left for repairs and maintenance," commented Tanner. "We are on the path of solvency."
Mathis asked that they get with Katelyn Lambert at Bootheel Regional Planning Commission to discuss the funds requested. Bootheel Regional Planning Commission has been hired to administer the ARPA funds.
Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission
The County received $5,637,000.00 in ARPA funds. The County has earned another $194,335.40 in interest from money market accounts. There is currently only $118,266.65 available and not allocated.
Melissa Clary, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission
CDBG Model Self Evaluation for Section 504/ADA Accessibility Compliance forms that were not filled out during the previous commission's time need to be filled out as soon as possible. This is due prior County Commissioners not performing this task and is due by the middle of April. This must be completed in order for the Commission to deobligate from the CDBG grant for the broadband.
Motion to close regular session of the commission meeting at 10:00 a.m. made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, second by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Bid Opening Meeting
Motion to open the Bid Opening Drainage District #13/33 and Drainage List #14 made by commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
This is for ditch clearing, mopping/cleaning on Ditch 14, 14 lateral, and 13-33. Bid includes all labor, equipment, and materials for the clearing and clean out of said ditches. Work will be done on one side of the ditch and includes any and all timber removal and disposal necessary. Spoil piles will be smoothed down and left in a matter that field equipment can maintain.
Roper Excavating: $109,140.00
Kinder Brothers Excavating: $129,000.00
Hessling Construction: $233,959.69
Lowest bidder is Roper Excavating.
"We will get with the drainage district and make sure there are no issues," commented Mathis. "Once we are all on the same page with the bid we will make a motion to approve Roper Excavating as the winner of the bid."
Motion to leave the bid opening meeting and enter into regular session made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the February 26th 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 February 26th closed session meeting minutes made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the March 4th 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 March 4th closed session meeting minutes made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Ads and Abates for February 2024
Motion to accept the February 2024 Ads and Abates from County Collector/Treasurer Josh Speakman made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Patrick Hunt, via phone converation
"I am in the process of setting up a fish processing company as 95% of all fish consumed by Americans is from overseas," stated Hunt. "We are applying for a USDA grant/loan from the Department of agriculture as well."
He is requesting a letter from the Commission in favor of having a fish processing plant in Stoddard County. After much discuss and vague answers as nothing is set in concrete with the business, Mr. Mathis asked for some type of business plan or written information to be emailed to the Commission for further discussion.
Jerry Elders, Bloomfield Resident
Motion to extend the lease to Jerry Elder for $250 to harvest the hay of the 20 acres of Stoddard County land until December 2027 (3 years) by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
David Cooper with Water District #5
Cooper asked if he could move some of the ARPA monies from one project to another project that was already pre-approved for ARPA funds; because the meter replacement is costing a little more. The work truck came in under budget and a few other items came in under budget so there is plenty of money already pre-approved.
"I would like to move $21,231.50 to the Meter Replacement. Not asking for new monies, just moving from one bucket to another," commented Cooper.
Motion to recommend moving $22,735,38 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to enter into closed session at 11:08 for cyber security made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
