Archive for 2024

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting Thursday, August 22nd. The meeting was opened with the tax levy hearing. Information provided indicated that the total assessed valuation for the county is $201,051,926 and according to the State Auditor’s office the maximum that DCHC can levy this year is $0.0959 per $100 assessed valuation, which would produce an estimated $192,809 in revenue. The Board approved a motion to set the tax rate at $0.0959 per $100 assessed valuation. Nurse Practitioner April Greener addressed the Board to announce that she is stepping down from a full-time position to a part-time position in order to pursue a part-time position as an educator with the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Foundation. This condition has closely affected her family and her last full-time day will be September 13th. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated that there were 12 COVID-19 cases reported, 40 lead cases, 26 screenings for sexually transmitted infections plus 92 total tests conducted, no cases of Influenza and 8 animal bites. The environmental report by Assistant Administrator Roma Jones showed there where 4 total inspections conducted, no recalls, no sewer complaints, and 14 environmental questions were fielded. Moser presented the list of food establishments who have not submitted their inspection fees for the year. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there were 5 car-seats and one crib distributed, one CPR Course, 2 consultation for Childcare Health, one Show-Me Healthy Women appointment, 22 Title X appointments, 2 Presumptive Eligibilities (Temporary Medicaid) and 316 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 519 total appointments other than WIC, 122 Nurse Practitioner appointments, 111 treatment court visits, 202 lab appointments and 57 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed one Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 5 family plannings, 7 well-child visits, 9 online appointments, one other well-woman exams, 12 other physicals, 10 SEMO physicals, 13 other visits, and 64 acute illness appointments. Laboratory details showed 210 individual patients, 3 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 21 pregnancy tests and 9 lead tests. Immunizations for July totaled zero for COVID-19 or for Influenza, and 105 for other vaccines, including the new RSV vaccine and new formulations of pneumonia vaccine. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported on the Lead Poisoning Town-hall meeting that was held on August 1st at the Community Center @ the Armory, the Back to School Festival held August 3rd, and the Healthy Baby Event held August 22nd in partnership with Prevention Consultants and Four Rivers Health. He noted that future events include the Fall Health Fair October 11th and the Drive-through Flu and COVID vaccine clinic October 17th. Moser reported that the insurance adjuster finally checked for damage from the April 18th hail storm and the adjuster said that there was no damage to the roofing. Moser emphasized the need for more space and suggested at a minimum that the “carport” be enclosed and converted to a consolidated storage area. The need for a second leased printer was also discussed. The Health Center financial reports for July, including the overall results from H & R Block, were reviewed. Discussion was held on the balance sheet, income statement, and budget statements. The asset liability statement was reviewed showing assets totaling $1,885,687.84, total liabilities in the amount of $171,682.82, and equity totaling $1,714,005.02. The July revenue statement indicated receipts were $55,512.37, while expenses were $92,413.95 for net operating loss of $36,910.58. After other revenue and expenses, net revenue was a negative $39,904.44. After these questions were answered, the financial reports and the report from H & R Block were approved. Moser proposed adding a full-time nurse practitioner, while retaining April Greener part time. He also asked for consent to start recruiting for a Family Medicine Physician. There were no objections from the Board. The next regular meeting of the Board was set for Thursday, September 19th at 5:00.

MoDOT crews will perform pavement repairs on Route 72 from Route 21 in Reynolds County to Route 32 in Dent County. Work is scheduled for today and tomorrow, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Route KK in Reynolds County will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction for bridge maintenance. The affected area is from County Road 900 to County Road 906 near Bunker. Work is scheduled to be completed by September 30, weather permitting. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists should use caution when traveling through the areas. Motorists should expect reduced lanes and are urged to use caution in the work zones. For more information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).

The U.S. Forest Service has completed a major road reconstruction project on Crane Tower Road in Mark Twain National Forest. The 0.8-mile road, located in Iron County, provides the only vehicle access to the top of Crane Mountain. Timber sales in the area helped fund the $34,500 project, which repaired erosion issues and made the road more durable and enjoyable for visitors. Before the work, the road had deteriorated to the point that few vehicles could traverse it. The repairs allow more people to access the scenic vista at the top of Crane Mountain. The Forest Service used “stewardship retained receipts” from timber sales to cover the project costs. Similar road reconstruction was also done on Turkeyfoot Road in 2021 using this funding mechanism. The Forest Service encourages the public to contact their local offices with any questions about roads, projects, or recreation opportunities in Mark Twain National Forest.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6490 while only grading would be done on county roads 5550 and 6380. Mobray said a crew member would be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3253, while only grading would be done on county roads 3255, 3260, 3265 and 4380. Polk said rock would also be added to county road 3180. He said a crew member would be going to Taylor Chrysler to get a new key for Truck #69. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported Denver Ellis and Darrell Skiles brought in a signed petition they would like to see placed on the November 5th ballot. The petition reads “Shall the County of Dent exempt senior citizens aged 62 and older from increases in the property tax liability due on such senior citizens primary residence?” The signatures are currently being verified with voter registration records and the commission will have the prosecuting attorney review the petition before making any decision on it. According to Dent County Clerk Angie Curley, the last day for certification to place any issue on the ballot is Tuesday. She also wanted to remind all the political subdivisions that have not yet turned in their tax rate information to her office, to please do so before the end of the week. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

On August 26, 2024 the County Commissioners met to consider a referendum petition for a senior homestead property tax credit after receiving a recently circulated referendum petition. RSMo 137.1050 (Formerly Senate Bill 190) provides that: 2. Any county authorized to impose a property tax may grant a property tax credit to eligible taxpayers residing in such county in an amount equal to the taxpayer’s eligible credit amount, provided that: (1) Such county adopts an ordinance authorizing such credit; or (2) A petition in support of a referendum on such a credit is signed by at least five percent of the registered voters of such county voting in the last gubernatorial election and the petition is delivered to the governing body of the county, which shall subsequently hold a referendum on such credit. As a result, Dent County Officials commissioned a poll through the Salem Newspaper to determine whether to adopt an ordinance or accept the referendum petition. Pursuant to the statute, Commissioners were not allowed to place the issue on a ballot without a valid referendum petition with sufficient registered voter approval. After considering the close nature of the poll (246 total participants with 59% in Favor with 41% Against), the commissioners accepted the referendum petition to be placed on the November 2024 general election ballot. The fate of the senior homestead property tax credit will be decided by a majority of Dent County voters. 

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold their regular meeting Tuesday evening at 7:00 in the hospital library. At the meeting, the Board will review and approve minutes for the July 30th, and August 5th, 14th, 21st, and 24th meetings. The Board will hear the Administrator’s report, plus the summary of operations and statistics for the month of July. The Board will be updated on the 340B program, receive the Chief Nursing Officer report, and be updated on Human Resources. The Board will address old business followed by new business including a resignation, election of officers and the FOA Reassessment. The board may then vote to go into closed session. The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors meeting Tuesday night is open to the public. To attend the meeting electronically, contact the hospital administration office at 729-6626, extension 4005.

An accident occurred in Crawford County Saturday night at 9:24 at Highway 49 and Adams Road. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2007 Chevrolet Impala, driven by an 18-year-old male, Dakota Sequichie of Steelville, traveled off the right side of the roadway, striking a road sign and several trees. Sequichie, along with a passenger 18-year-old Chloe Brooks of Viburnum, suffered moderate injuries. Brooks was transported by private vehicle to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. Sequichie was also taken to Missouri Baptist in Sullivan by the Iron County Ambulance District. An 18-year-old passenger, Abigail Wilkinson of Viburnum, suffered minor injuries and was transported by Iron County Ambulance to Missouri Baptist in Sullivan. A 17-year-old male juvenile also suffered minor injuries and was transported to Missouri Baptist Sullivan by Steelville Ambulance. The reported stated that all of the occupants except for Brooks were wearing safety restraints. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene y Abney’s Towing. 

The Enhanced Enterprise Zone of Salem and Dent County will hold their annual meeting at 5:30 on Wednesday, August 28th at the Salem Community Center@The Armory in the Walden Meeting Room. At the meeting after the call to order, the agenda items approval, and approval of the last meeting’s minutes, the board will elect a chairman before they review and approve the annual filing statement for the period ending June 30, 2024. The board will discuss any other business that comes before the board before the meeting is adjourned. The meeting of the Enhanced Enterprise Zone board is open to the public.