Archive for 2024

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Grant Wilson from Jason Smith’s office was in attendance and told the commission the Ways and Means Committee is discussing the non-profit exempt status of some universities who are not condemning the anti-Semitic actions at the university. The committee is considering revoking their 501C3 status. He also said the committee will be holding a hearing on an act to keep President Biden from eliminating or reducing TANF funds that help support pregnancy resource centers. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said crews would be preparing equipment for the extreme cold weather ahead and making sure it is ready to go if bad weather hits, while District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and spread on Dent County Road 3200 while brush would be cut on county road 3300. Workers will also be repairing trucks #72 and #68, and a driver is hailing granite chips to the shed to stockpile for the chip and seal repair later this year. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson will be attending the Phelps County PHA meeting today and the MRPC meeting tonight. He said Trim Lights, who installed the Christmas Lights on the courthouse, is still working out a few bugs repairing some wiring issues so that all the lights can be properly programmed. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that the commission continues to work on the budget and a tentative budget will be available for the public in her office on Thursday, January 18th. Curley said the April Municipal Election will be Tuesday, April 2nd from 6:00 in the morning until 7:00 that evening. The last day to register for that election will be March 6th, absentee voting will begin February 20th, March 19th will be the first day for “no excuse” absentee voting, March 20th will be the last day to mail out a ballot, and Monday, April 1st will be the last day to vote absentee. She also wanted to remind voters that if they have recently moved, had a name change, or had problems last year when they voted, to make sure you check and update your registration in her office in the courthouse. At the last meeting, Liz Condray from SACBA told the commission about the Smithsonian exhibition” Crossroads: Change in Rural America, a Museum on Main Street” that will be at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center March 23rd through May the 4th. The seven piece installation will be delivered and then assembled at the ONCRC for viewing. The Courthouse will be closed for Martin Luther king Day Monday, so the next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday, January 18th at 9:00.

Extreme cold over the weekend and most of next week could mean the City of Salem electric utility might set a new peak this weekend through Thursday, January 18, 2024. Both major grid networks that supply Salem’s electrical power have issued weather alerts for this time period. There is no specific action required at this time, but things could change quickly, and the city is asking all electric utility customers to conserve or reduce your electrical usage as much as reasonably possible. Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA), the City of Salem’s electrical supplier, is anticipating electric market prices will see upward pressure during this time. What is a peak warning? There is a chance that a new peak could be set for City of Salem electric customers. Although there areno electric market supply and demand issues right now, setting a new peak does have consequences. Setting a new peak demand would have cost impacts on the cost to the city to purchase power and that would be reflected on your utility bill moving forward. The city wants people to know that if anyone is in need of a warming station during this extreme cold snap, they may stop by the Salem Police Department Lobby which is open 24/7 at 500 North Jackson St. If there is a large enough need, the City will open additional facilities. The City appreciates everyone’s understanding and assistance in keeping electric usage as low as possible during this time of extreme cold. For questions about your bill or usage call the Utility Office at 729-4117.

A fatality accident happened late Tuesday afternoon just after 5:30 at the 118.4 mile-marker on Interstate 44 that took the life of a teen from Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu being driven west by a 17-year-old female juvenile of Rolla, struck a bridge pillar and became disabled in the middle of the interstate. The Malibu was then struck by a westbound 2024 Peterbilt Tractor-Trailer being driven by 41-year-old Adrian Raye of Lorena, Texas. The 17-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene by a Mercy paramedic at 6:09 and was taken to Shadel’s Colonial Chapel in Lebanon. A passenger in the vehicle, 18-year-old Linda Osborn of Rolla, suffered serious injuries and was taken by Cox Ambulance to the Mercy Hospital in Springfield. The Malibu was totaled. The Peterbilt sustained moderate damage. Both were removed from the scene by C & S Towing.

The City of Salem Utility Committee met Wednesday night at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. At the meeting, City of Salem Finance Director Stacey Houston presented the financial reports for the electric funds, water funds and sewer funds as well as provided usage reports. She said the electric usage is down about 1.5 million kwh from last year from July to December, while the water usage is down about 16% in that same time frame. She said interest income for all funds is above budget and she would request some budget adjustments from the aldermen to account for the extra income. She also said a year-end adjustment was made form the electric fund to reserves in the amount of $272,463, and another $300,000 went to the General Revenue Fund. Houston also reported the basis of the city’s peak demand has been reduced from 13.9 megawatts to 12.7 megawatts starting in December which will reduce the cost of electricity to the city. A committee member asked if that would reduce city electric rates, but City Administrator Sally Burbridge that is just part of what determines the actual rate, but that is ultimately what the goal is. Just the reduction of that rate by itself isn’t enough as the city is still paying a relief payment every month, reserve funding of $13,967 as well as the actual cost of electricity, and with the expected very cold temperartures this weekend, it will have to stay low to consider changing the rate. In the report, Salem’s all-in cost for per kilowatt hour is 7.813 cents which is down from 8.08 cents in October and 8.70 cents in September. Jennifer Cochran reported the bills e-mailed through Encode in December did not go through after working the previous month, but the city when sending those e-mails did not use Encode. They will continue to work on getting this resolved. She also said all municipal bills have been mailed but many people have reported not getting their bill. If you didn’t get your bill, call the city utility department to find out how much you owe so you can pay it on time. The electric rate study will begin once the auditor has completed the audit as the city has asked for the audited financials for the electric department. Burbridge said she would be attending the next MMMPEP meeting on January 18th. Public Works Director Mark Nash reported there were three water main breaks in the city from this last cold front and he expects more this weekend with temperatures expected below zero. Chairman Kyle Williams said the city currently has a water loss rate of 15 to 30% from the water pumped versus being billed. The EPA says normal municipal water loss is about 16%. The board approved the suggested Leak Protection Program Policy from Servline with some minor modifications tailored to Salem. The committee also rescinded and superseded their recommendation to the Board of Aldermen from the last meeting to now go with a leak protection plan for consumers that would pay $2,500 for water or sewer leaks on their property for $2.35 per month that will be added on the water and sewer bill, rather than the $1,000 coverage previously recommended at the last meeting that would have cost $2.00 to customers on both their water and sewer bills. These charges are NOT mandatory and customers will be able to have them removed from their bill if the alderman approves the recommendation. The committee also approved recommending to the Board of Aldermen to adopt the Telephone Consumer Protection Act wording recommended by the new collection agency. This will be added to the application for utility services in the city for new customer accounts. After some discussion on providing city utilities for those living outside the city limits, the meeting was adjourned.