The Stoddard County Commissioner began their meeting at 9 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.  Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis introduced the new Commissioner Wes Howard.

Elk Township

Elk Township has requested funds from the LATCF. This money was committed to bridge repair.  LATCF stands for Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund.   

"Annual reports are required until all funds are expended. Reports will include information on current and cumulative obligations and expenditures, along with a certification that no funds were used for lobbying purposes."

The Commissioner will look into this in the 2025 year.

William Dowdy, Maintenance Manager of the Stoddard County Buildings

"I checked with William on the roads and parking lots," stated Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.  "I had William and my son, put out salt everywhere. So no news is good news, right? I didn't send out a text for people to come to work.  I didn't want to wake them."

MU Extension Chris Rowland

Mr. Rowland passed out the budge for the MU Extension office. 

"Anything different than last year's budget?" asked Mathis.

"The Secretary got a $1.00 raise per hour and 4-H Assistant Pay went up.  Also we have applied for a grant for that pay, but we won't know for a month." stated Rowland.

4-H enrollment is up to 13 clubs and over 400 students.  77 soil tests, helped 120 people get their private pesticide license. Nutrition Specialist Jeanie Huey did Health Classes in Puxico, Richland, Bell City schools, and other schools with over 5,000 contacts.

Former Commissioner Carol Jarrell had been a representative from the County Commissioners MU Extension.

Motion to appoint Wes Howard as the commission representative for the MU Extension Council made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.  Wes Howard abstains.  Both voted yes and motion passed. 

They meet on the last Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

Castor River

"They have done a lot of work clearing out Castor River," commented Mathis.  They have completed about 10 miles out of 37 miles and it is a two year project.  C.D. Stewart gave a little update on the clean-out of Castor River banks.  

Budget and Pay

The only two departments that have not turned in their budgets are Juvenile Detention and the Prosecuting Attorney per Cecil Weeks.

Salaries - Cost of Living or a percentage increase across the board for everyone.  "Only one person has come to me," stated Mathis. "That person said only the hourly employees should get increases and not office holders."

Stewart and Howard are looking at 2.5% and Mathis is thinking 3.5%.  3.5% is one percent over social security increase for this year.  There was much discussion over benefits which is very lucrative compared to other businesses in Stoddard County.  The base salary might be a little lower compared to some businesses.

Motion approves the salary increase of employees and elected officials at 3.5% made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Wes Howard.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

$17.33 is the base pay except sheriff's department they are hired in at a higher rate.  The new base pay will be $17.93 however offices do not have to start at that base salary.

Motion to set the Budget Hearing at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Wes Howard.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

"Post an agenda for the days we will be working on the budget, today at 1 p.m., January 7th at 9:30 a.m., January 13th 9 a.m. during regular meeting and 14th at 9:30 a.m.," stated Mathis.

Other Business

Motion to approve the regular meeting minutes for December 30th made by C.D. Stewart, seconded by Greg Mathis.  Howard abstained as he was not Commissioner yet. Both voted yes and motion passed.  

Motion to accept the Bid Opening Meeting minutes from December 30th made by C.D. Stewart, seconded by Greg Mathis.  Howard abstained as he was not Commissioner yet Both voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to accept the minutes from Tuesday, December 31st for the budget amendments made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Greg Mathis.  Howard abstained as he was not Commissioner yet Both voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to adjourn at 11:53 a.m. and readjourn at 1 p.m. to work on the budget made by Commissioner Wes Howard, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

The United States flags shoud be flown at half-staff effective immediately until sunset on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in honor of the life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter, who passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia.

Section 7 of the United States Flag Code, 4 U.S. Code § 7, covers the position and manner of displaying the American flag:

(m) The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the death of a member of the Armed Forces from any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving on active duty, or the death of a first responder working in any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving in the line of duty, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff, and the same authority is provided to the Mayor of the District of Columbia with respect to present or former officials of the District of Columbia, members of the Armed Forces from the District of Columbia, and first responders working in the District of Columbia. When the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, or the Mayor of the District of Columbia, issues a proclamation under the preceding sentence that the National flag be flown at half-staff in that State, territory, or possession or in the District of Columbia because of the death of a member of the Armed Forces, the National flag flown at any Federal installation or facility in the area covered by that proclamation shall be flown at half-staff consistent with that proclamation. The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the death of the President or a former President; 10 days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day.