Archive for 2023

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a public hearing and special meeting Wednesday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the public hearing concerning the 1% sales tax increase, two people from the county, John McIntyre and Robert Gravely, understand the city’s predicament of needing additional funds caused from higher utility peak demands to increased cost in local services. McIntyre said up east they consolidated services between municipalities to save money and suggested that happen with the city and county police, while Gravely said the city leaders need to do a better job of getting the public involved and educated as to why this sales tax increase is needed and how it will help them in the future. The public hearing was then closed and Bill #3532 was read that would create an ordinance calling for the election of citizens allowing the city to issue sewerage system revenue bonds in the amount of $4,630,000 for the purpose of extending and improving the City’s sewerage system, including acquiring land and rights of way. The board approved the bill unanimously. The bonds and interest will be paid solely from revenues derived from the operations and maintenance of the sewerage system. City Administrator Sally Burbridge said the total cost of the project to reduce the TMDL levels in Spring Creek in Phase A & B is $9,512,000, and the city was awarded a $5,000,000 ARPA Fund grant leaving the bond amount at $4,630,000 which includes unanticipated construction and material costs. Assuming the bond passes, the city would apply for an additional grant of $2,000,000 from the state revolving fund and another $750,000 from a CDBG grant. This would leave $1,880,000 of bond financing. If the bond does not pass, the entire $4,630,000 would have to be paid for through sewer rate increases. Bill #3533 was then read that would create an ordinance submitted to the electors of the City of Salem to impose a General Sales Tax of one percent (1%) for General Revenue in addition to the current one percent (1%) already charged by the city for General Revenue at the General Municipal Election to be held April 4th. The board approved the bill unanimously. Sales tax collections are the primary revenue stream for the City’s General Revenue Fund which supports the main governmental operations of the City including administration and police. This tax would greatly reduce the amount of transfers from the utility funds to General Revenue and help to increase reserves in those utility funds. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack said the city would be providing a page on their website explaining the proposed sales tax, providing pertinent information as well as some videos explaining why it is needed. Alderwoman Kala Sisco said people need to educate themselves on the facts and not be swayed by social media rhetoric. She said if you have questions, ask your alderman or contact city administrator Sally Burbridge and get the facts, not rumors or opinions. Mayor Greg Parker said this board is looking to stabilize the city financially and move it forward. He said the board is not looking at the past, they are looking at the future of the town and want it to grow and prosper. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular meeting this evening at 6:00 in the Salem R-80 Boardroom. After the approval of the agenda, the Board will move into Executive Session to consider student issues, approve closed session minutes, and consider attendance appeals. The Board will then move into open session where they will have a student recognition and approve the consent agenda. After hearing of communications, the Board will hear the Superintendent’s report with Dr. Lynne Reed and Dr. Nathan Wills followed by the reports from the principal of the William Lynch Elementary School, the upper elementary school, the middle school and the senior high. There will also be reports on athletics and activities, Special Education, and from the Instructional Coaches. In new business, the board will consider a recreational trails grant, discuss a Dent County Hazard Mitigation Resolution, approve a billing method for tuition, approve a bond resolution and approve the location for the Construction Trades Building. The regular Board meeting will then adjourn and move into Executive Session. The regular meeting Thursday evening will be open to the public.

At the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors meeting Tuesday night, the board came out of closed session after the regular meeting where board chairman Mike Swyers resigned his position as chairman but will remain on the board of directors. An election for a new board chairman was then held and A. J Seay was elected chairman by a 3-2 vote. The board then went back into closed session.

An accident happened in Dent County Monday at 2:15 in the afternoon on Dent County Road 2330 about seven miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, 65-year-old Robert Taylor of Salem was riding a 2019 Can Am Defender with a passenger, when he failed to negotiate a “U-Turn” as a high rate of speed causing Taylor and the passenger to be ejected from the Can Am. Taylor suffered moderate injuries and was transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by the Salem EMS. The passenger was not injured in the accident. Taylor was not wearing any safety devices at the time of the accident. The Can Am did not sustain any damages and was driven from the scene by the passenger.

The Salem Memorial Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the hospital library. Hospital Chief Executive Officer Wayne Reid gave an update on the recent surveys conducted at the hospital. The Re-certification Survey found that the board by-laws needed to be reviewed with a 30-day comment period. The CLIA Survey found four identified issues when looking for items that the hospital was in compliance with but the staff couldn’t readily access. Angela Christensen has recently been hired as the Director of Quality and Risk Management to ensure that all hospital staff are ready with proper procedures and paperwork for all future surveys. A Home Health Survey was conducted and found that the hospital needed to appoint a Pre-Designated Alternate Administrator. The board approved Kristie Gorman to fill this position. In the Summary of Operations for the month of December, hospital admissions were 119 which is double over last year’s totals. There were 11 Swingbed admissions with 186 patient census days. There were 1,462 Outpatient Registrations, 2,024 Lab Tests, 2,277 Cardiopulmonary Procedures, 1,351 Radiology Procedures, 421 Rehabilitation Treatments, 29 Surgical Procedures and 176 Home Health Visits. The Emergency Room visits totaled 685 in December. The hospital currently has $3.5 million cash on hand with an excess of expenses over revenues for December of $434,154.46 with $300,000 of this total being attributed to an error in reserve funds in the past, an increase in provider pay, increased staff costs because of a high volume of patients and having to pay staff double and triple time over the holidays. Ashley Sullins gave the Chief Nursing Officer report. There are currently two full time night nursing positions open in Med-Surg and ED and one full time nursing position in Long-Term Care. In the Human Resources update, recent hires include a new Lab Director, Director of Quality/Risk Management, and Business Development Coordinator. Interviews are currently being held for an IT Director and for the CFO position. The Hospital Foundation will be having a Cornhole Tournament on March 11th at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, a Golf Tournament on June 2nd at the Spring Creek Golf Course, and Dancing with the Salem Stars will be held in February 2024. In Old Business, the kitchen drain proposal is being reviewed by staff. In Election Filings, originally there were three candidates for the upcoming seat currently held by Willie Strader including Strader. Two of the candidates were determined to not be in the correct district that is up for election, thereby making them ineligible to run for office, so no election will need to be held. Employee Gina White was in attendance to discuss employee insurance. She recently signed up for a dental plan and was told there would be no cost to her, but $19.88 was taken out of her paycheck and she wanted that corrected. Human Resource Director Jodie Gorman explained that the vendor had made a mistake on the online sign-up process and incorrectly stated that there would not be a charge. She will look into this and investigate how many employees are being affected. In purchases, the board approved a bid from Show Me Vinyl for $8,205.00 to wrap two ambulances. The board then went into closed session.

Mark Twain National Forest is looking for campground hosts for the 2023 season. Hosts are needed at both the Red Bluff Campground on the Potosi-Fredericktown Ranger District and the Sutton Bluff Campground on the Salem Ranger District. Campground hosting is a fun and rewarding volunteer experience that gets people outside and serving the public. Host positions generally run from April through October. Host sites include water, electric, and septic system. Use of a Forest Service golf cart may be provided to hosts as well. A stipend of up to $600 per month may be offered to cover incidentals. Host duties will include answering visitor questions, ensuring cleanliness of campsites, cleaning restrooms and showers, minor landscaping, and posting reservations. In general, a host keeps campgrounds running smoothly for visitors to enjoy. Applicants will have a background check conducted before being selected. Anyone interested in hosting at one of these campground sites should call Brett Mecker at 573-650-0758 or email him at brett.mecker@usda.gov. To learn more about these hosting opportunities, visit volunteer.gov and search for Mark Twain National Forest. Hosting at a campground can be a perfect way to meet new people, who also enjoy the outdoors, and build lasting bonds with them.