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Route E in Stoddard County will be reduced as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs. This section of roadway is located from Route 25 to Route FF near Bloomfield, Missouri. Weather permitting, work will take place Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area. A flagging crew will be in place as work is taking place |
In 2023, the Missouri General Assembly approved an appropriation of $11 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for Next Generation 911, as well as last year’s reappropriation of $10 million in NG911 funding.
In total, the Missouri 911 Service Board has been charged with the award and management of $21 million in funding dedicated to NG911. These funds are in addition to the $8 million being spent on the Board’s Geographic Information System (GIS) project.
Dunklin, New Madrid, Scott, Stoddard, and Pemiscot County was awarded a $2.349 million dollar grant by the Missouri 911 Service Board.
This grant project is a regional effort to incorporate text to 911; purchase and improve NG911 compatible equipment that meet the NENA i3 Solution Standard for ESIP Networks. All agencies currently are serving the citizens at a Phase II service level, with this project it will consolidate all counties onto the same network.
Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to announce Shannon Miller, MSOT, OTR/L, CHT, was awarded the Sister Jane Mission Award for 2024.
Miller joined Saint Francis in 2002 and recently celebrated 22 years at Advanced Orthopedic Specialist, a Saint Francis Medical Partner. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Maryville University, Creve Coeur, MO and master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Washington University, St. Louis, MO. She has been a certified Hand Therapist since 2003.
Nominator praises Miller’s dedication and expertise, noting, “Shannon is dedicated to her patients and peers; she always goes the extra mile to ensure everyone receives the very best. She is skilled at providing education to all patients and ensuring they have a thorough understanding of their path to recovery. Shannon’s expertise and compassionate approach are what enable her to deliver care at the highest level. I am so thankful she is on my team!”
The Sister Jane Mission Award is a yearly award where a colleague is recognized for living the Mission of Saint Francis Healthcare System: To provide a ministry of healing, wellness, quality and love as inspired by our faith in Jesus Christ. The Sister Jane Mission Award is presented at the conclusion of the Feast of Saint Francis Mass in October. The nominees embody our Mission as well as our values.
Congratulations, Shannon Miller, MSOT, OTR/L, CHT, on this award!
Saint Francis Healthcare System is guided by our mission to provide a ministry of healing, wellness, quality and love inspired by our faith in Jesus Christ. Founded by Franciscan Sisters in 1875, our priority remains the same: serve all who enter with dignity, compassion and joy.
Anchored by Saint Francis Medical Center, a 306-bed tertiary hospital, and supported by nearly 3,000 employees and more than 250 providers in eight communities, the Healthcare System is a driving economic force in the region. Major services include the Cancer Institute, Emergency and Level III Trauma Center, Family BirthPlace and the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Heart Hospital, Neurosciences and Orthopedics.
The Stoddard County Commissioners met at 9 a.m. in a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, October 7, 2024. Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis opened the meeting with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Old Business
There were plans to move the old generator from the jail to the Justice Center. A new base would have to be poured. There will be a moving cost. This all still needs to be done. Steve Brown with Brown Construction believes it will fit and has the plans.
New Business
Closed on Monday, October 14th for Columbus Day. The Commission will meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 15th.
Motion to keep our annual contribution to the employee retirement fund to keep the same for 2025 at 4% paid by the County made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
The Commissioner signed the weekly checks. This is an every week responsibility of the Commissioners to sign all checks to pay vendors.
Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County Clerk
The Commissioner is not allowed to cast five votes by one person, each person can vote one time at the MAC Convention. Stoddard County is sending four people therefore they will have only four votes.
In the Monday, September 30th minutes to elect C.D. Stewart to do the voting.
Motion to resend the motion Missouri Association of Counties Meeting (MAC) made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Greg Mathis. C.D. Stewart abstains. Two voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to appoint the following office holders as voting delegates to the MAC Meeting C.D. Stewart, Josh Speakman, Jacob Clary, and Cecil Weeks made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Greg Mathis. C.D. Stewart abstains from voting. Jarrell and Mathis voted yes and motion passed.
Donnie Lynn Hovis, Jr. Business Owner, Candidate for the 151st State Representative
I have a few questions to ask today.
1. "Steve Jordan nominated Austin Williams and was then removed I would like to request the minutes from the meeting from when he was voted on."
2. "Who do I talk to someone about the Pike Township Board." Mathis stated, "that is separate from the Commission, we don't have anything to do with their board of directors."
3. "Minutes on any contracts while Roper Excavating were nominated, voted on, and if they received and contracts for all of the Townships."
4. Hovis stated, "A lot of meetings between Steve Jordan, Cecil Weeks, and Danny Talkington were held. There should be minutes if two commissioners are meeting and talking there should be minutes. I would like this minutes." Mathis replied, "We would need a specific dates in order to get those minutes."
5. "Explanation of why there was limited minutes for the 3.5 million dollars in CARES Act Covid monies that was distributed to businesses. Minutes specifically on Heavy Duty Trucking to receive money as he was part owner and also his daughter's business for rent." Mathis stated, "You can request minutes for that time."
6. "Everyone that put in for the CARES Act money, everyone that received monies, and anyone that did not get money if they were turned down or applications lost. I want a list of those."
7. "Steve Jordan's daughter was involved in a hit and run, KFVS12 covered it." Mathis replied, "If it was a court case you have to go to the court of records. We as the Commission do not have jurisdiction over that information and court case."
8. "Any grievances filed from female employees here against Steve Jordan." Mathis replied you can file a Sunshine Law Request." (In this reporters opinion, that would be considered personnel issues and that information is not open to the public or media."
9. "Overage of monies around 3.5 million put into Stoddard County. it is my understanding $50,000 came out of general revenue fund. I want to know if that voted on by the commission." Mathis replied, "I was not here during that time so I don't know, but you can file a Sunshine Law Request with the Clerk's office for that information."
Mr. Hovis thanked everyone for their time and stated he would be putting in several public information requests with the Clerk's office and other offices in the government building.
Beau Bishop, Stoddard County EMA
Bishop game his report as follows:
1. Fiscal Year 2023 EMPG Grant came to a close June 30, 2023. Total reimbursement back to the county was $24,061.21.
2. Fiscal Year 2024 EMPG Grant application was submitted on June 13, 2024. State Emergency Management advised for applicants to apply for Salary and Benefits only. Application submitted for a reimbursement of $35,592.76. Received official communication from SEMA on September 23, 2024 that a technical review of the application had been conducted and revised with a total reimbursement of $24,422.36. Application was revised to show amended budget lines, and resubmitted to SEMA for final approval on September 24, 2024.
3. Siren HMPG Grant Station: The siren grant for three new storms sirens has been completed and closed out with SEMA. Original approved budget for project was $175,000 total, with a Federal Share of $157,500 and County Share of $17,500. Actual expenditures for the project were $129,710 total, with a Federal Share of $116,739 and County Share of $12,971. Stoddard County was reimbursed by SEMA on A
August 8, 2024 for $96,489. and September 4th for $20,250 for the total $116,739.
4. As of September 19, 2024, all EMPG Grant and Stoddard County EMD Job Specified classes/trainings that area required within the First year and Second year of employment were completed. Sixteen classes required within first year of my employment, nine classes required within the second year of employment. Certificates are available to submit for all classes.
5. Currently working with SEMA, FEMA, and Dexter EMD to form a Stoddard County COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster). Initial Kick-off meeting letter is being drafted and a list of potential stakeholders is being compiled for the invitations. We will be trying to reach out of Organizations, Business's, Schools, Faith Based groups, etc. from all over Stoddard County to form this COAD to be better prepared to offer immediate assistance to those impacted by future disasters in Stoddard County.
6. During the SEMA Conference (August 25-29), I attended a one-day session on the CAMEO Chemical Database/Marplot programs. CAMEO Chemical Database can house all the TIER II Hazmat information that Companies have to report to the State. Once this information is input into the database, it is then merged into the Marplot program which is a GIS base mapping software, and the locations of the Tier II sites are plotted on the map. This information can be used for situational awareness during a disaster for quickly locating the potential Hazmat problem area within an impacted area. Stoddard County EMA is part of the Bootheel LEPD. The Bootheel LEPD currently serves 8 counties. All 8 counties Tier II information have been entered into CAMEO Chemical Database and plotted in Marplot.
7. Stoddard County EMA was invited and participated in two Mock Active School Shooter Drills (Dexter and Advance). EMA was positioned at the Incident Command for both drills providing mapping information and any other help needed.
Other Business:
Motion to accept the Ads and Abates by Josh Speakman, County Collector made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the September 30th regular meeting minutes made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to adjourn at 11:53 a.m. by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Stoddard County Commission meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer over the county by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.
Old Business
SB40 Board - Peter Coutavas was the only person to submit a request to serve on the SB40 Board.
Motion to appoint Peter Coutavas to the SB40 Board made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Janitorial Position at the Government Building - Letters of interests and resumes have been coming in. Deadline was at 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 15th to submit your requests for the position. The Commissioner did not look at any of the letters of interests and resumes, but have. decided to put that off to the next meeting.
There was no discussion on the Generator being moved to the Justice Center.
New Business
Zach Secoy, an insurance broker, came in to discuss Property Insurance with the Commission. He represents Arnold Insurance and Rinehart Insurance.
Arnold Insurance Agency, an independent insurance agency of Keystone, is pleased to submit a copy of a proposal for Cape Girardeau County for the Commissioners to review.
“You all only have a few companies that are willing to take a shot at providing insurance,” stated Secoy. “There are about five insurance companies that can insure a municipality like yours because of the jail.”
“We looked at two options, one was to look for a broker or look for insurance agency for pricing. We are looking for pricing at this point,” stated Commissioner Mathis.
(Sidenote: the Commission voted to place a bid for "Property Insurance including buildings, personal property, and liability coverage. "). THE COMMISSION DID NOT PUT OUT A BID SEEKING BROKERS AT THIS TIME. Sealed bids must be submitted by 10:00 am on December 9, 2024.
“Travelers can do a ton of different things like updating an employee handbook and safety trainings, etc," continued Secoy. "Are you using those services to the best of your ability to drive down that premium?” The answer is no, the County is not utilizing training or updating the employee handbook to the best of their ability.
“Best to be on the broker side of seeking a new broker that can offer you those services.” stated Secoy.
Their current broker has on numerous occasions offered training and to help update the handbook. The previous commission (Danny Talkington and Steve Jordan) as well as the current commission have opted not to utilize those services as of yet.
Josh Speakman, Stoddard County Collector/Treasurer
"Just wanted to remind everyone that tax bills are coming out the first of November. If they have an address change they need to contact us. January is when the penalties start."
"Also we have received a lot of SB190 applications as well and are going thru them."
There was some discuss between Commission C.D. Stewart and Speakman about Roper Excavating and ditch clean-up in Advance.
Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County Clerk
He reminded everyone that beginning on October 22, 2024 No Excuse Absentee voting begins. The Clerk's office will be open until 6 p.m. October 22nd - 25th and October 28th - November 1. then on November 2nd they will be open until 5 p.m. Also the Clerk's office will b open on Saturday, November 2nd from 8 a.m. - Noon for voting purposes.
Other Business:
Mr. Mathis stated he will not be at next Monday's meeting on October 21st, but will be out of town.
Motion to approve the open session meeting minutes from October 7, 2024 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
The Stoddard County Commission had approved $40,000 to Dudley Special Road District from the ARPA funds. $10,175.20 has been submitted for payment. It was to purchase gravel.
Motion to pay $10,175.20 to the Dudley Special Road District from the ARPA funds made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion carried.
Mathis stated he received a text message request from Donnie Hovis, Jr. requesting a special meeting with the Commissioners.
Motion to have a meeting in public session on Thursday, October 9 a.m. with Donnie Hovis made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to adjourn at 12:08 p.m made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Pictured is Zach Secoy passing out broker insurance information to Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.
