Archive for 2026

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regular meeting Tuesday evening. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board approved the resolution certifying the Municipal Election results, followed by an oath of office for newly elected officials Mayor Greg Parker, two-year term; East Ward Alderman Nathan Kinsey, two-year term; and West Ward Alderwoman Catherine Dent, two-year term. The board then elected Alderman Rick Letchworth as president. Mayor Parker’s reappointments to various municipal bodies, including the Planning and Zoning Board, Board of Adjustments, Utility Committee, Parks and Recreation, Enhanced Enterprise Zone, and Airport Board, were approved. Krista Deluca provided the audit presentation for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2025. Due to spending more than $750,000 in federal funding, the city had received an additional audit, what is known as a single-audit. Within the independent auditor’s report on compliance with federal programs, there were no findings, of which Deluca commended the city. The city had received an unmodified opinion, which means the financial statements were fairly stated. The audit showed the city’s total assets are $40,729,000 and total liabilities are $10,852,000. The total net position for the city is $30,662,000. The electric fund showed an increase in net position of $1.6 million, while the water fund showed an increase of $915,000. Moving on, the board approved the request for street closure along 4th Street for the Art in the Parking Lot event Sept. 26th from 8:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening from Tana Kettner of the Salem Area Arts Council. The board also approved Brandon Snyder for the Salem Housing Authority. Parker read a proclamation recognizing the impact and contributions of the Salem Public Library, declaring Library Week from April 19th through April 25th. The board approved amending its previous motion from Midstate Pipeline for the Wastewater Treatment Plant and its FEMA mitigation project, along with a resolution approving a contract for the control panel improvements. The board approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept and execute an access easement from HMH Properties, LLC. for permanent access and utility purposes, and the lease of the former water pre-treatment building between HMH Properties, LLC. and the city. The board then approved for staff to pursue the sale of surplus equipment on Purple Wave. Under bids, the board approved a bid from Rommel Lock and Alarm for $14,250 for a 360-degree camera system to be installed at the city park and monitored by the Salem Police Department Dispatch. The board approved a bid from Roberts-Judson at a cost of $5,421.27 to replace the front door, office windows, and kennel windows of the Salem Animal Shelter. Police Chief Joe Chase reported the Department of Agriculture has inspected the shelter and given it a perfect score. The board approved a bid from Resolve IT to continue its services to the city for another year, the cost of which has been budgeted at $7,500. Two change orders for the Wastewater Treatment Plant were also approved, one to extend the contract for the Phase 2A project to accommodate for the delay in delivery of pump equipment, and another to elevate a control panel at a cost of $9,428 for FEMA mitigation. Finance Director Stacey Houston reported the total sales tax revenues collected for Fiscal Year 2026 are $3,708,625, up from last year 2.7%. The ending total of all funds is approximately $17 million. Public Works Director Steve Paine reported 60 fire hydrants are being maintained and repainted across the east side of the city. A culvert near Phil-Mart’s drive through has caved in. The cost to replace the culvert will be quite high. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be April 28th and will be open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be having its regular meeting tonight at 6:00 within the City Hall Auditorium located at 202 North Washington Street. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board will hear any scheduled public comments. A resolution declaring the results of the Municipal Election held April 7th will be approved, followed by an oath of office for newly elected officials, reorganization of the board, and committee appointments. An audit presentation will then be given. Several items will be considered, including a request for street closure from Tana Kettner, and the Salem Housing Authority board appointment of Brandon Snyder. A Library Week proclamation will be read. The board will be considering the amendment of its previous motion to approve a bid from Midstate Pipeline for the WWTP. The board will hear a second reading of an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept and execute an access easement from HMH Properties, LLC. for permanent access and utility purposes, along with a resolution authorizing an access easement and lease of the former water pre-treatment building between HMH Properties, LLC. and the city. In addition, the board will be approving a contract for control panel improvements. Under bids, the board will consider the approval of the sale of surplus equipment on Purple Wave; a camera system for the city park; animal shelter improvements; and Resolve IT services. A first and second reading of an ordinance approving Change Order No. 3 for the Salem Wastewater Treatment Facility Phase 2A Improvements Project will also be considered. Finally, there will be reports from city officials, followed by adjournment into a closed session. The open session meeting of the City of Salem Board of Alderman is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. Resident John Baker of County Road 3193 requested ditches be pulled on the road. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams was informed by crew members ditches on the road were too wet to pull but as soon as they are dry enough, they will be pulled. In road reports, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said crew members were removing a downed tree on County Road 4080. He also stated grading was going to be done on county roads 5130, 5150, 5390, 6380 and 6485. He indicated rock would be added where needed. Green went on to say that a crew member will also be working on the small dump truck. District 2 Commissioner Williams reported workers will be grading county roads 4040, 4330, 4400, 4403 and 5280. He also stated that rock will be added and grading done on county road 2550, which serves a Missouri Department of Conservation area. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the MRPC meetings last week and reported to the commissioners MRPC fees are increasing 14%. The old price for membership was $6,018, and the commission would now have to pay $6,883.80 for 2026 services. The commission all agreed to accept the price increase. Larson said there was a discussion on project based vouchers for homes in the HUD program, and that the Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) has reopened its wait list and began accepting applications for housing assistance. Larson also stated there was a discussion on the Route 66 Festival that will be going on this spring and summer. The commissioners and Dent County Clerk Angie Curley will be attending the MAC Legislative Days in Jefferson City today and Wednesday. Curley will also be attending a MAC Board meeting there, as well. Dent County Assessor Alisa Brookshire came in to present an agreement between the Dent County Assessor’s office and Brewer Unlimited Consulting, LLC. They will provide training and assistance in conducting lot splits at a rate of $25.00 per hour. The agreement says the county will be billed monthly and consultants will not exceed eight hours worked every two weeks. Sargent Len Pabin came in to let the commission know the Dent County Sheriff’s Department is needing diesel for their incinerator. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00, and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the Fire Station at #2 South Main. After the call to order and roll call will be the approval of the consent agenda, which includes review of previous meeting minutes, the financial report and approval of bills, plus the budget review. In old business, the board will address the Fidelity (CTI) Tower Lease. In new business, the board will discuss lawn care. Chief Thomas will give his report, which will include the monthly reimbursement report, followed by the setting of the date for the next meeting and closed session, if necessary, before adjournment. The regular meeting of the DCFPD Board of Directors is open to the public.

The Salem Public Library Board of Trustees held their meeting at 5:00 in the library’s conference room April 9th. After approving the previous meeting’s minutes, Library Director, Kate McBride presented the librarians report. During her report, she noted that items received and provided to Missouri Evergreen were down from the same time last year, but the circulation of books, ebooks, audio books, and periodicals were up. Paperback trade numbers were also up. After approving the financial report, the board discussed book reviews and correspondences. In Old Business, the board discussed plans for the South Basement repairs, and in New Business the board voted on and approved the placement of a Naloxone Box to be provided by the Dent County Health Center, more details about that installation will be provided at a later time. The meeting then adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Salem Public Library Board of Trustees is scheduled for May 14th at 5:00 in the library’s conference room, and is open to the public. 

The Salem R-80 High School participated in its annual Service Project Day on April 8th. Students started working with the sunrise, and their projects ranged from cleaning rocks from local park ball fields, repainting William Lynch Elementary’s playground games, organizing food and cleaning the local food pantry at the Shepherds Nook, stream clean up at Bonebrake, cleaning flower beds, spreading mulch and trimming trees at Salem Upper Elementary, walking the 34 acres of Cedar Grove Cemetery picking up trash, fallen flowers and limbs, organizing at the Salem Public Library, installing metal on the gables of Salem R-80’s administrative building and building insulated walls for the Salem’s Creative Arts Center. Heather Johnson organized these events with herself, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Tinker, Ms. Blair, Mrs. Terrill, and Mrs. Kettner supervising all activities.

A group of Salem High School students traveled to West Plains to participate in the Interscholastic Contest at Missouri State University West Plains. For the second year in a row, the students earned first place overall for Division I, which consists of six schools. Overall, there were twenty-four schools total. Not only are the students bringing home the trophy, but several students are bringing home some medals of their own. Division I medalists include: Ivan Brooks, August Scheel, Anna Belle Seye, Quin Dahms, Tabitha Deller, Addison Fulton, Maggie Hogan, Isabella Black, Harlie Click, Zoey Elliott, Abbi Terrill, Marshall White, and Haiden Shaw. Overall scoring medalists (for all divisions) include: Ave Wofford, Isabella Black, Tabitha Deller, Zoey Elliot, Carter Foster, and Marshall White. Congratulations to these students!

The Dent County Commission met for its meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. District One Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members are planning to grade county roads 5400 and 6350. A pipe is being installed on County Road 5150. Green encouraged the public to exercise patience with crew members, as they work to improve the roads for longevity. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members are planning to grade in the Boss area, along with county roads 5300, 5305, 5280, 4340, 4030, and 2540. Four dump trucks are hauling rock to County Road 2540 – one road which participates in the Missouri Department of Conservation’s CART program, and that the county will cost share on gravel. This is an annual program covering the conservation area, and the deadline has been moved up to the end of May. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he will be attending several meetings at MRPC tonight, including a TAC meeting, MRPC meeting, and Housing Advisory meeting. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she has balanced with the collector and assessor on all monthly collections, abatements, and add-ons for the month of March. Curley thanked the voters who came out and voted in the April Municipal Election. Voter turnout was low, with some elections being decided by just a handful of voters. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk reminded those that are 62 and over and own their own home to pick up an application for SB190 from the collector’s office. Applications are available until June 30th. Office hours for the collector are Monday through Friday from 8:00 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon. Contact her office at 573-729-3911 if you have any questions. In addition, $201,297.36 has been turned over for the month in collections. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on sales tax receipts received for April, stating that General Revenue and Law Enforcement received $85,007.59, a 1.5% increase year-to-date. The Road and Bridge Fund received $42,503.96, a 5.3% increase year-to-date. Both Jail Funds received $18,912.96, and year-to-date those funds increased by 5.3%. In addition, Crime Victim Advocate Cynthia Nash and Prosecutor Andrew Curley emphasized the importance of Cynthia’s position, stating that from 2020-2025 there have been 2,474 victims. The position of  Crime Victim Advocate is paid on a VOCA Grant reimbursement program, funded by the federal government of which has become a shortfall. The shortfall of $4,824.16 will need to be navigated between April 1st and Sept. 30th. After Oct. 1st, it is unknown what will happen with the grant. Finally, the commission approved the Burlington Northern Railroad Right a Way Quit Claim Deed between Dent County and Carty Brothers. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 in the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.