The Stoddard County Commission meeting began at 9:08 a.m. with a Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.
First on the Agenda on Tuesday, September 3rd was the Ambulance District and the fact they had money reserved for them in ARPA, but have not spent it. There was approximately $8,000 reserved for them in 2022 for laptops. They have now requested $5,111.05 for their air purification system. They changed their request from computers that were originally approved by the previous Commission to an air purification system approved by the current Commission. The ambulance district will not be using about $3,698.00 and this amount will go back into the ARPA funds for other entities.
Motion to approve the payment for their ARPA Request in the amount of $5,111.05 for the Stoddard County Ambulance District (All paperwork is in order) made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
New Business
Clarence Smith, Water District #4
"I have a price for the computers and the printer to request from the ARPA funds," stated Smith. "One is for $4,110. and the other is $1,073 and I am asking for the Commission to disperse funds to reimburse these expenses."
Mathis stated he would get with Katelyn Lambert at BRPC and see about what we can do. "We have about $110,000 left in ARPA funds to disperse at the present time and we need to have them committed by the end of the year.."
AREA Interests
MINGO will have their open house on September 13th at 10:00 a.m.
Stoddard County Fair begins September 17th with the parade at 5:30 p.m.
Castor Township Tax Hearing 6 p.m. No change in the tax rate.
Republic Service Open House September 27th from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. with tours and food.
Employee Unused Vacation Policy for Employees
"If you did not use your vacation time you lost it," stated Mathis. "Then two years ago the Commission changed it to the employees could request it two weeks prior to their anniversary date.
"It's not fair to the employees because the employees have failed to ask for it," Mathis said. "Office holders have failed to communicate the new policy change, some employees have requested it after their anniversary date then we as a Commission have to deny it. The policy the way it was written was not working out in my opinion. Not everyone knew of the policy."
Motion to change and update the Unused Vacation Policy to be that the employees will receive their unused vacation time at the anniversary date without having to ask for it made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
In the opinion of this reporter the easiest way to inform all employees as to any policy change within a company is to have each employee sign-off that they have received a copy of the new policy and therefore all employees are made aware of the policy change going forward.
Motion to go back and pay employees for any unused vacation for the year 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Change in Overtime Policy for Law Enforcement
The Commission discussed in Closed Session the Public Safety Overtime Policy and voted 3-0 to change the handbook and policy.
The new county policy for public safety employee (Dispatch, Jail, Patrol) assigned to work 12 hour shifts will be compensated at 1.5 hourly rate after 84 hours in 14-day work period. Anyone working 8 or 10 hour shifts will be compensated 1.5 times hourly rate at the 40 hour a week policy. When working 12 hour shifts you work 36 hours one week then 48 hours the next week which would equal the 84 hours at regular time and not be paid any overtime until after 84 hours.
Work Period Provision - The FLSA also provides a partial exemption from overtime pay requirements for police officers employed on a work period basis. A public employer has the option of basing overtime on a work period rather than the 40 hour work week. This alternative work period is a pre-established and regular recurring period of at least seven but less than 28 consecutive days (29 C.F.R. 553.201). The length of the work period determines the number of hours after which the police officer is due overtime. Overtime compensation is required when the ratio of the number of hours worked to the number of days in the work period exceeds the ratio of 171 hours to 28 days (29 C.F.R. 553.230).
No motion was made in regular open session requiring the policy change. The Closes Session vote stands.
In the opinion of this reporter this subject should have been discussed in Open Session for the public and media to hear and is in direct violation of the Sunshine Law pursuant to MO State Statute 610.021, closed meeting and closed records authorized.
Bridge Replacements
Colter Gaebler with Smith & Co. Engineering sent paperwork to be signed with regards to Co. Road 766 Bridge Project and right away acquisition. Colter now has all documents signed. They are ready to move forward with that project and wanting the Commision to sign off and get the funds allocated. Motion to approve the right away certification statement for Stoddard County Road 766 bridge project made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted and motion passed.
Motion to sign the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Off-System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Supplemental Agreement #1 BRO-R103(076) for Bridge No. 1960010 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed. This document pertains to County Road 766.
Motion to sign the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Off-system Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Supplemental Agreement #1 BRO-R103(75) for Bridge No. 22-2210021 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed. The document pertains to County Road 752.
Trees Around the Courthouse
"We put out a bid and Wright Tree Service did it the last time," William Dowdy, maintenance supervisor stated. "They are Bradford Pairs and there is some type of native tree exchange, but I can check into it."
Heating Unit
"Heating season is coming and we haven't done anything with Roof Top Unit #3," Dowdy commented. "It may break and not work at any time."
Liability and Property Insurance
Commissioner Stewart stated, "I am flexible if we can't get a separate bid then we can just get down to services."
Commissioner Jarrell state, " I would like to stay with what we have. Mr. Hedrick and his group. They are local and he already looks each year for the best price."
Motion to seek a Request for Qualification for a Broker for Property and Liability Insurance. No motion was made the motion died.
Motion to seek bids for Property and Liability Insurance through an agent made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Mathis stated that they will have a legal notice typed up and ready to approve on Monday, September 9, 2024 at the Commission meeting. The Bid Opening will be November 4, 2024 at 10 a.m. during the Commission meeting.
"What is the difference between a broker and an agent for insurance in this case," asked Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times. "Only Hedrick and his group can get a quote from Traveler's Insurance, correct?" Stewart stated that is correct. There are only three companies willing to insure the County due to the size of the jail and previous claims. Now an agent can put in a quote for the other two that he/she might represent.
SB40 Board Member
Senate Bill 40 for a Board Member notice was not in the Dexter Statesman so the Commission has changed the date to September 16th as the deadline. Mathis noted it should be in the paper this week and next week. Peter Coutavas has submitted a letter of intent to serve on the SB40 Board. According to Commissioner C.D. Stewart, Herman Morse has given a verbal to Wayne Jean that he is interested in being on the board.
Johnson Grass Board
Two people put in their names to be on the Johnson Grass Board. Doug Lowery of Puxico and Dee Loflin of Dexter both requested in writing to be on the Johnson Grass Board.
Mathis stated he would not vote for Dee Loflin because she is media and the other board members would be concerned with what could be said and printed in a paper. It is noted the board has never met or at least not met in years. It is also noted that all meetings would be open to the public and the media. Closes session to media would only be if litigation/lawsuit involving the Johnson Grass Board or personnel issues which they have zero employees. Therefore the press could be at those meetings. Both candidates are well qualified however.
Motion to appoint Doug Lowery on the Johnson Grass Board made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Other Business
John McCarty, with the health insurance, has requested to be here in person and go over the insurance in closed session. Mathis stated that September 16th Mr. McCarty will be here to discuss health insurance claims in Closed Session at 11 a.m.
Motion to accept the regularly scheduled meeting minutes from August 26, 2024 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C. D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the closed session meeting minutes from August 26, 2024 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
With no other business a motion to enter into Closed Session at 11:10 a.m. for Legal purposed according to Statute 610,021 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
