Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis opened the regularly scheduled weekly meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer for all the emergency workers clearing storm damage, the sheriff's depart and their deputies, and the National Guard who are currently overseas protecting us.
Dave Cooper, Water District #5
"Our leaks started on Friday about 4:30 p.m.," commented Cooper. "We searched until 10 p.m. looking for this leak. About 7 a.m. on Saturday morning we starting looking again. We also consuleed with MO Rural Water."
"A slight detection in the creek and in the process found out it was in the creek," continued Cooper. "So they got excavators and such to clear the brush and get to the leak. They then used a 2 inch pipe, but it blew twice and effected people down stream. This is in the Sherwood Forest area. We are now going to use a 3" pipe."
This lead has effected six customers where the break is and they have been inconvenienced fro about 72 hours. Unfortunately on Sunday, the rains hampered the work efforts.
"Our plan as of last night (Sunday) is to bore underneath that creek and replace it with a 3" line and get a new type of part in Cape Girardeau today and repair the leak," stated Cooper.
"Financially we have been able to get our reserve up to around $50k and this one repair may take half of this," Cooper said. "If it had not been for your help with the ARPA funds this would have ended us as a water district."
Mathis suggested since we have cases of water left over from our recent donation from the tornado damage that water can be distributed to the area resident. He will contact Beau Bishop, Stoddard County EMA Director to get water to those families.
Water District #5 has recently hired an employee, Zach Carmack, and is doing maintenance and repairs for the district. Prior to his hiring there had been zero maintenance in the water district for years.
A boil water may be advised, but Cooper said they will post on Facebook. The Community has been very supportive and really haven't had any complaints.
Doug Lowery, Duck Creek Township
The Commission has asked the Townships if they had any road damage due to the recent storms and the Commission might be able to help using ARPA funds. Duck Creek Township has been hit hard with water damaging gravel roads. Lowery submitted a letter to the commission requesting $12,500 in ARPA funds to offset the major expenses of rock and hauling to repair the roads from the recent storms.
"We estimate expenses to be at least $30 to $35,000 dollars to repair 13 country roads with about 77 loads of gravel," stated Lowery.
The Commission also received a request from New Lisbon Township in the amount of $26,240 for ARPA funds to repair 18 county roads.
The Commissioners are waiting to see if any other township puts in a request for gravel before they approve these two requests.
Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission
She stopped in to see if there was any new requests for ARPA funds. There were none except the two from the townships for gravel.
SB40 Board of Directors
A letter was received from Josh Hester that he has resigned from the SB40 Board of Directors.
Patty Holloway has been recommend to be on the board per Peter Coutavas, IDA Director.
The Commissioner did not make a decision as they may need to published the opening in the local paper first before appointing a new board member.
Carl Hefner, Stoddard County Sheriff and Andy Holden, Stoddard County Sheriff's Office Requesting Support for a Jail Navigator
Jason Cowell and Lucas Alday will start in August to the Law Enforcement Academy and will work for the Sheriff's Department for three years. They will complete the academy in December and have signed their contract to work at the sheriff's department as new deputies.
Seth Goins who just graduated is now on the road as a deputy and doing well at the Sheriff's Department.
"Jail Navigator works thru the mental Health Department and a lot of people we have in jail now have mental health issues," stated Carl Hefner.
"We are 1 of 5 Sheriff's offices up to get a Jail Navigator in southeast Missouri," stated Hefner. "We have the new facilities and the best in the area."
Hefner had a letter prepared requesting the Jail Navigator.
"As the County Commission of Stoddard County, we are writing this letter in support of a Jail Navigator being placed at the Stoddard County Jail in Bloomfield, Missouri. Our county jail has an average daily population of approximately 100 inmates. The County Commissioners believe that having a Jail Navigator to work directly with detainees within our jail will provide an opportunity to evaluate, support and provide mental health interventions services to offenders in a timely manner."
"According to Carl Hefner, the sheriff of Stoddard County, nearly 30% of citizens within our jail are affected by mental/behavioral health issues and lack the ability to properly manage the effects. Utilizing a trained mental health specialist in the position of Jail Navigator will not only be beneficial to the detainee, but society in general. This would allow a trusting relationship outside of law enforcement to be built and continued to ensure the best mental health outcome for individuals. In return this would hopefully result in a reduction of repeat offenders due to mental/behavioral health issues.
Against, as a county commission, we write in strong support of providing a Jail Navigator position within our county. The benefits that can be reached by providing proper mental health intervention are endless and in high need within our jail system."
Bootheel Counseling would provide the Jail Navigator services.
Motion to signs off on this letter of support of adding a Jail Navigator to the Stoddard County Jail made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Hefner stated he wanted to know why the ShowMe Times didn't put photos on Facebook of his people volunteering inside the city limits of Dexter after the storm damage occurred. Mrs. Loflin, owner of the ShowMe Times stated that she did not see his crew out on Ray Street and also asked why didn't he call her or text her to let her know there were photos on his Facebook page etc. Mrs. Loflin also stated she does not look at Facebook all day, but is constantly posting and working on the website. Any individual that wants to spotlight their accomplishments or promote an event should just call or text or email and she will post. She also further said she would go to the Sheriff's Facebook page and grab the photos and post during the meeting.
Hefner said, "We bought some extra chain saws and oil etc to use next time when and if this happens again. We were first on the ground in the city of Dexter cutting up trees and clearing streets. Our guys volunteered to help cut and clear limbs."
"t was a Sunday morning and I wasn't going to call people in, but they called me and jumped at the chance to volunteer their time and help those in need."
Hefner purchased $1,410.96 for equipment used during the storm recovery efforts.
Stoddard County Sheriff's Department delivered a truck load of water to residents of Penermon and Essex. Two more pallets were delivered to the County today and will be used for some of the folks without water in Water District #5.
The Stoddard County Sheriff is purchasing a new van and will need an insert for the back of the van to hold the inmates. A bid must be done therefore it will be placed in the newspaper with a bid opening date of July 8, 2024 at 10 a.m. in the Commissioners office.
Other Business:
A cleaning individual has been hired for the Stoddard County offices and will begin on June 24, 2024.
Motion to approve the County Road 752 bridge replacement out of the BRO Program in the amount of $2,863.37 to Smith & Co. for engineering and design services made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion pays $4,540.01 to Smith & Co. for 766 bridge replacement out of the BRO Program made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
"I have had quite a bit of input on SB190 with regards to Tax Cuts for the Elderly." commented Mathis.
"We will have a vote on the SB190 on Monday, June 17, 2024," Mathis said. Both Jarrell and Stewart were good with voting next week. If you have questions or input please contact your Commissioner as soon as possible.
Motion to amend June 3, 2024 minutes for a correction on the minutes from $35,000 to $3,500 for the city of Puxico for repeaters for their police cars. We will approve the minutes next week after the correction is made," stated Mathis. Motion by commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. Al three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to approve the Adds and Abates for May 2024 made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to close the meeting made at 11:43 a.m. made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
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).
