Outer Road 60 in Stoddard County Closed for Pavement Repairs Outer Road 60 in Stoddard County will be closed as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
This section of roadway is located from Old Highway 60 to MO Route 51 near Fisk, Missouri.
Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, June 10 through Thursday, June 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
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 (1-888-275-6636)
Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis began the regularly scheduled Stoddard County Commissioner meeting by leading an audience of about 20 people in the Pledge of Allegiance. He then prayed for those who were helping with getting the electricity back on, all those who helped cut down trees and ask that those who are currently unhappy receive patience and kindness. Also to the law enforcement officers, elected officials that they may do the will of the people.
SB190 Update/Information
Governor Parson signed into law Senate Bill No. 190 an act to repeal sections 143, 124, and 143.125 of the Missouri revised statutes to enact in lieu thereof three new sections relating to tax relief for seniors. No one will receive a refund or a check from the county collector.
Now that this law has passed, it will be the Stoddard County Commission to either accept this law or not per the language of the new law. Each County within the State of Missouri will choose to authorize a property tax credit to eligible taxpayers in their county.
Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis opened the meeting stated that the Stoddard County Commission is going to address this SB190. "We have 4 things we can do," stated Mathis.
1. "We as a Commission can do nothing."
2. "We can pass a resolution stating that we will not do anything right now and make a decision later. Personally I think this is gutless, in my opinion."
3. "We could require the citizens of Stoddard County to pass a petition by getting 5% of the registered voters to sign and then it would be put on the ballot for the public to vote on. Again. I think this is also gutless in my opinion."
4. Stoddard County Commission can pass an ordinance and accept the law as written.
"I am going to turn this meeting over to Josh Speakman as he has done the most research on this bill and has a good grasp of how it will be implemented."
Josh Speakman, Stoddard County Collector/Treasurer took the floor to explain the SB190
"If the Commission passes this the county will have to hire one employee to be dedicated to researching the information for each citizen that applies for this tax credit," stated Speakman. "The County will take the biggest hit of around $75,000 or more to hire a person and purchase necessary software to perform the job tasks."
Dexter School District would be second in line to take a hit as they rely on a portion of Personal Property Tax monies to fund them.
"We are asking for input today and we will not make a decision today," stated Mathis. "However we will make a decision in the next couple of week,"
Each political subdivision of the county will be impacted if the Commission chooses to pass an ordinance in favor of the SB190/SB756.
If the SB190 were to be passed by The Stoddard County Commission, then the entities that would be affected who rely on Personal Property Tax monies would lose revenue. Those entities are the State of Missouri, Stoddard County Ambulance District, Stoddard County Health Department, Stoddard County Sheltered Workshop, all schools including NMCC, Richland, Twin Rivers, Dexter, Bernie, Bloomfield, Bell City, Advance, Zalma, Puxico and Three Rivers College in Stoddard County, also the townships including Castor, Duck Creek, Elk, Liberty, New Lisbon, Pike and Richland. The Road & Bridge Districts made up of Castor, Duck Creek, Elk, Liberty, New Lisbon, Pike, Richland, Bluff Special, Dudley Special, Lavalle Special, Crowder-Zeta, Essex Special and Grayridge Special. Then each city will be affected including Bernie, Bell City, Bloomfield, Essex, Advance, and Dexter,
"For the first few years I don't think very many will sign up," commented Commissioner C.D. Stewart. "I think as it goes farther along more people will sign up for the tax credit."
Currently Jackson County, Greene County, and St. Louis County have all passed this into law in their county.
Dale Moreland representing Castor Township stated, "I don't feel the public is informed very well about this issue. People think their taxes are going to be forgiven and they are not."
Speakman stated that in reality most people would only benefit about on average of less than $100 each; however the more your home is valued at the more credit you would receive. Speakman used the commissioners as examples. Mr. Mathis would save $25 per year, Mrs. Jarrell about $50 per year and Mr. Stewart about $80 per year.
For example if you are 76 years old and have a house worth $100,000 you will receive a tax credit of less than $90. If they made improvements then research would have to be done on each individual and would be on a case by case basis.
Speakman went on to say that there was a program already in place for the elderly. The Missouri Property Tax Credit Program is out there for people over 65 years of age.
Advance Superintendent asked if the Commission anticipated of anyone seeking to try and put in a funding source to offset this credit? Mathis answer with a definite NO. Looking down the road we as the County Commission do not look to offset the this credit at this time.
ARPA Funding Update:
Motion to authorization $91,501.78 out of ARPA funds to Bell City Fire Department for their new facility made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
City of Puxico requested $3,500 for repeaters for the police department. At this time the Commission has decided to freeze new requests for ARPA spending due to the recent storm damage. No actual motion was made; however they all agreed at this time since funds are getting low.
Duck Creek and Castor are hauling a lot of gravel because of the recent storms washed out some roads. Mathis has not talked with Liberty Township yet, but would assume they may need gravel as well..
Other Business
Motion to accept the regular session meeting minutes from Tuesday, May 28, 2024 made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Mathis. Stewart voted yes, Jarrell abstained because she was not present at the meeting, Mathis voted yes. Motion passed.
Motion to adjourn at noon made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis began the meeting with Commissioner C.D. Stewart with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer for those effected by the recent weather damage on Sunday, law enforcement, office holders and people who work for the county.
Mathis stated that Commissioner Jarrell had a family emergency and would not be in attendance today. He also noted that Liberty national cancelled due to a death in the family.
Jacob Cleary, Stoddard County Assessor
Cleary is responsible for assessments on the solar farms.
Commissioner C.D. Stewart had the floor, he stated, "Scott County is getting a solar farm in Blodgett. A lot of people are hot about it that live around it; however the farmers are leasing the ground are really happy about it."
"My concern is the water table is close to the top of the ground in this part of the world," continued Stewart. "When the solar panels get destroyed say by hail or tornado etc this glass and chemicals in the solar panels can get into the water system or in the potatoes from the potato farm."
"I spoke to the Farm Bureau this morning and wondering where they stand on this in the state of Missouri," stated Stewart.
Solar panels operate as power plants. There are two types of solar farms. One is a utility scale farm which caters to large areas and generate more power. Theater is a community scale farm providing electricity on a limited scale.
When it comes to taxation Mr. Cleary explained how it would be taxed in Stoddard County. "Right now we are at a stalemate with the State. It is taxable; however based on the cost of the solar panels the counties in this area have come to an agreement of $650 of the market value of the assessment per panel. Each panel being about 3 foot x 5 foot. not all panels are that size, but that's the measurement they use. The Supreme Court said to do a fair or standard evaluation, but so far the 11 counties in this area are doing it the same way as Stoddard County."
Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis said that Commissioner Stewart is to drive the information gathering to see if there is anything we can discuss in the future.
Board of Equalization will open 10 a.m. on July 2, 2024. If you would like to appear you must set an appointment with the Assessor's office.
Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission
Commissioner Mathis read a letter from the Department of Economic Development regarding the project of the BRPC building. A Community Development Block Grant was to be used to do work at the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission building. They had to have the project closed out March 15, 2024 or there would be some repercussions. So now Stoddard County Commission will now be unable to apply for grants during the next cycle.
Lambert explained that the material took longer for the contractor to get and then getting the 504 Compliance information took longer. They will not be eligible for the 2024 application cycle; and the FY2024 funds will not be available. The Commission can still apply for FY2023 funding.
The CDB Grant was awarded May 24, 2021 and the three year mark wasn't up until May 24, 2024. Lambert feels the Commission can appeal this letter. There may still be time if the appeal goes through properly.
The deadline is August 23, 2027 to be closed out for all federal monies.
"Was Bootheel Regional Planning Commission aware of the deadline?" Mathis asked. Lambert stated that we received the same letter and tried to meet the deadline. If the commission wanted to appeal then Bootheel Regional Planning would appeal the decision.
ARPA Update by Lambert
Water District #5 - They received the computers, but they have had some issues. Cooper will bring in receipts.
Ambulance District - no call back yet
Bell City - Moving along with the project.
Bernie Water - Water Basin - Construction permit from DNR and will advertise out that project the first week of June. When did we award asked Mathis. Early 2023 so the 9 month deadline of getting this taken care of has come and gone.
Advance - Working with mayor on maximum benefit area.
Bloomfield - CDBG application almost complete.
PWSD #2 - Meters going in and are about 1/3 done.
Essex - CDBG application has been submitted
Dudley Special Road District - no update yet - was going to advertise for bids for gravel
Other Business:
Open meeting for concerns regarding Senate Bill 190 - 2023 Property Tax Credit for Senior Citizens. Anyone can attend this meeting.
Motion to accept the Minutes for May 24, 2024 made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Mathis contacted Liberty Township during the meeting. If you pile your limbs up next to the road they will pick them up. Rick Anthony, superintendent of Liberty Township, said, "You can call and have them pick up"
Peter Coutavas, City of Puxico Alderman
He has asked for $3,500 for repeaters for radios in the police cars at Puxico through the ARPA Funds.
Motion to closed the meeting at 11:35 a.m. by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Visitors and residents will be out in full force along Route 25 Memorial Day weekend in search of bargains at the 100-Mile Yard Sale, but MoDOT wants you to remember the greatest savings of the event could be a life.
“It’s a fun weekend that people look forward to each year,” says Traffic Engineer Craig Compas, “but we want people to remember that there’s more traffic and more congestion along Route 25 this weekend than any other and drivers need to keep that in mind.”
MoDOT will do its part to bring the safety message to the forefront. Message boards will be in place along the route to alert drivers of the unusual traffic patterns and promote safe driving.
“We really want drivers to be alert—to be aware of their surroundings, to be aware of sudden stops and to look for pedestrian traffic,” Compas says. “Additionally, there is an increase in traffic, including large truck traffic, between the City of Jackson and the Route AB in Cape Girardeau County due to the Diverging Diamond Interchange construction. While we want everyone to enjoy themselves, we ask that people also be as safe as possible.”
For more information, contact Compas at (573) 472-5310 or call MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).
Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis started the meeting with the Pledge of Alligence and a prayer for the county officials, police, sheriff's dept and for the Bernie Lady Mules as they try to win a state championship in softball this week.
David Wyman, City of Dexter, Administrator
He introduced Lauren Hill as a new full-time employee for the city of Dexter. Her office will be located in city hall and tourism taxes will pay for her salary. Her title is Administrative Assistant - Tourism.
The Missouri Department of Tourism has grant money to help with advertising events within the community and to help promote certain events.
Motion to pass the Destination Marketing Organization Resolution to designate the city of Dexter as the official city for Stoddard County, Missouri made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Destination Marketing Organization Resolution so passed by the Stoddard County Commission
Whereas, City of Dexter, Missouri, a legitimate department, agency, or resprestative of Stoddard County, is engaged primarily in the marketing and promotion of tourism;
Whereas, this organization has shown and demonstrated evidence of its on-going tourism marketing activities and plans for promotion of Stoddard County; and
Whereas, this organization requires formal acknowledgement and recognition by the governing body of the county to become a qualified participant in the programs administered by the Missouri Division of Tourism:
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the city of Dexter, Missouri is hereby designated and recognized as the single representative organization to solicit and service tourism in Stoddard County for participation in the Missouri Division of Tourism's Marketing Matching Grant.
Cal-Main Foods Update
Late summer there will be a hiring push. Their egg production is coming this fall. They currently have 15 employees.
Missouri Department of Economic Development Letter sent to former Presiding Commissioner Danny Talkington Received by Current Commissioners - Mr. Mathis has faxed the letter to Katelyn Lambert at Bootheel Regional Planning Commission to decide what is the next step.
SB40 Board Vacancy
There is a vacancy on the SB40 Board due to a member stepping down; however no letter of resignation has been received by the Commission. Mrs. Carol Jarrell explained that a letter of resignation would be needed before proceeding.
Tax Break for Seniors Update:
Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis handed out an informative article from the St. Louis newspaper regarding the tax break for Missouri seniors. Commissioner Mathis asked Josh Speakman, Collector/Treasurer to discuss the tax break.
Other Business
Stoddard County offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024 for the Memorial Day holiday and will have the Commission Meeting on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
Motion to accept the Monday, May 13, 2024 minutes from the regular session made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Greg Mathis. Both Stewart and Mathis voted yes, Jarrell was absent from the previous meeting so she abstained from voting.
Motion to purchase a transport van out of the commissary fund for the Stoddard County Sheriff's Dept in the amount of $52,000 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed. The current van is not drivable and they have been using two officers and two other vehicles to commute the inmates.
Morion to adjourn at 11:53 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. Both voted yes as Mr. Mathis left early.
