Archive for 2021

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. Brett Hoffman, Field Representative for Representative Jason Smith’s office was in to visit with Commissioners and update them on Federal issues. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the sales tax figures for the month. General Revenue and Law Enforcement Sales Tax funds each received $86,319.73, which is up $18,463.07 from May of 2020 receipt of $67,856.66. However year-to-date each fund is down $224,333.75 or 58.3%. The Road and Bridge Fund receipts were $35,924.74 and that amount is up $4,726.92 from a year ago which was $31,197.82. But year-to-date Road and Bridge is down $117,216.23, which is about 66%. The Jail Maintenance and Jail Construction funds each received $71,756.64. That figure is up by $9,390.20 from last year’s $62,366.44. However, year-to-date those two funds are down $234,276.00, which is also a 66% drop. Leann Kahn was in to check on progress concerning the gate on Dent County Road 4128. First District Commissioner Wes Mobray said that Prosecuting Attorney Curley had asked that the area in question be surveyed. Kahn indicated that the survey had been done and that the area had been flagged. Mobray said that the issue is back to the prosecutor and that he would notify Kahn when and if she needed to attend another Commissioners meeting. In the road report, Mobray said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 5600 and that some large pipes were being replaced on county road 2470, plus an 18” pipe was being installed on county road 2480. He went on to say that rock was being spread where the culverts were being installed on the two roads and that the Bunker area was being checked due to the heavy rains in that area over the weekend. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3260 and 2110. He said that Department of Conservation rock was being added to road 2110 and that would continue all week or until finished as that is to be completed by the end of May. Larson added that a man had gone to Springfield for oil to do Chip and Seal repair. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he was at the Capital last week representing CCAM. He said Senate Bill 53, which is the Law Enforcement Bill, had passed the Senate and was sent to the House of Representatives where they proceeded to attach an amendment raising the county sheriff’s annual salary to $72,500 and tie its increase to State Judges salaries. Skiles emphatically noted that CCAM fully supports law enforcement and doesn’t oppose raising Sheriff’s salaries, but does oppose taking away local control. The bill as amended passed the House and will now go to Conference Committee. Skiles again noted that County Commissioners throughout Missouri are very disappointed in Missouri Legislators. He did complement Representative Ron Copeland for getting an amendment passed that would limit the increase to 20% per year until the $72,500 is achieved. Skiles added that he was attending a SACBA meeting Monday afternoon and Wednesday morning he would be in Jefferson City attending the Missouri Association of Counties Board Meeting, plus a Missouri County Commissioners Association Board meeting during the afternoon. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that all registered voters in Dent County should have received their blue voter canvass card. She said if it’s correct, voters should keep it as their voter registration card. If corrections need to be done voters can make the corrections on the back and send it back to her office. Voters can also call her office or stop by to make changes. Curley noted that the Commission was paying payroll and Commissioners were approving bills. She also noted that she balanced with the Treasurer on all accounts for the month of April and that she would also be attending the Missouri Association of Counties Board meeting on Wednesday. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident happened Monday morning just after 6:30 in Texas County on Buffalo Road about three miles north of Licking. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2007 Ford E-350 Van being driven by 52-year-old Zane Vankirk of Lenox was traveling west when he traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. Vankirk, who was not wearing a safety restraint, was taken by ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston for treatment of minor injuries. The Ford van sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Jays Automotive of Houston.