Archive for 2026

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said materials would be added where needed and grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4150, 4155, 4157, 5400, and 5490. He also indicated brush would be cut on county road 5615. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported workers will be adding rock and grading on Dent County Road 2110, while only grading will be done on county roads 2025, 2115 and 4350. Williams said crews will be installing signs on county roads 2240 and 2250. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported her office and the treasurer’s office balanced on all accounts for the month of December. She reported that all political subdivisions will need to get their election certification submitted to her office by 5:00 on January 27th whether they are having an election or not. Curley went on to say that her office and the commissioners will continue to work on the 2026 county budget after hearing budget requests last week from Sheriff Bob Wells, Circuit Clerk Kristi Craig and Assessor Alisa Brookshire. The commission then set the 2026 county budget hearing for 10:00 Monday, January 26th in the commissioner’s office at the courthouse with the 2026 tentative budget being available to the public after 10:00 the morning of January 15th in the county clerk’s office. 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.

Salem R-80 Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills has earned a national certification recognizing excellence in school finance and operations. The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) announced that Dr. Wills has received the Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations, also known as the SFO certification. The designation recognizes school leaders who demonstrate advanced knowledge and expertise in managing school district finances and operations. The SFO certification is an internationally recognized credential that sets a high standard for fiscal responsibility in education. ASBO International Executive Director James Rowan says professionals who earn the certification are highly sought after for their ability to responsibly allocate resources and plan for both current and future district needs. To earn the SFO designation, candidates must meet strict requirements, including education and work experience, passing a comprehensive exam, and adhering to a professional code of conduct. Those who earn the certification must also complete ongoing professional development and undergo recertification every three years. ASBO International is a nonprofit organization founded in 1910 and represents approximately 30,000 school business professionals worldwide.

The Department of Public Safety has notified the first 48 volunteer fire departments of their approval for up to $15,000 in state equipment grants. In October, the department announced the first-ever Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant was available for small departments that had annual operating budgets of $50,000 or less for the purchase of firefighting equipment. There is a 5% local cash match, which means for equipment costing $15,789.47, the local match share would be $789.47 and the state share of 95% would be $15,000. For the initial grant recipients, the top requested equipment includes radios, hoses and nozzles, firefighter turnout gear, extrication equipment, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Two of the local rural fire department are recipients of the grant and they are the Montauk Rural Fire Department and the Timber Community Fire Protection District.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors held its regular meeting Tuesday evening in the Doctor’s Library at the hospital. The board approved the agenda after revising it to move two items from New Business, the approval of policies and procedures and an ambulance purchase update, to the beginning of the meeting. Following approval of the minutes from previous meetings, the board approved the annual review of the Facilities and Maintenance Manual. The board then discussed options for purchasing a new ambulance and upgrading existing ambulatory vehicles. Hospital Chief Executive Officer Brooke Bollman emphasized that the discussion was preliminary and sought board approval to officially solicit bids. The board approved the request. During the Chief Executive Officer’s report, Bollman highlighted an education facilities tour with Representative John Hewkin, potential changes to the 340B program, the hospital’s audit and cost report, and an upcoming update to the hospital’s price transparency information on its website. She also outlined several upcoming events, including the SMH Health Fair on January 6, the staff and employees’ Winter Ball, and various departmental meetings. For the month of November, the hospital reported increases in inpatient admissions and cardiopulmonary procedures, along with decreases in outpatient registrations and emergency room visits. Ambulance runs remained consistent. Net patient revenue for November totaled approximately $1.7 million, a slight decrease from the previous month, while total operating expenses were approximately $2.2 million, resulting in a monthly loss of about $297,000. The hospital currently has 27 days of cash on hand. Net income from 340B revenue was reported at $110,941, and it was noted that Vandivort Drug is no longer participating in the program. After approving the financials, Bollman informed the board that due to a malfunctioning water valve, water service to the entire hospital campus and outbuildings will be shut off beginning the morning of January 8th at 8:00 to allow for repairs and replacement. Hospital officials anticipate water service will be restored to outbuildings within two hours and to the main hospital building within six hours. Large water totes will be filled and stored indoors in advance to meet washing and janitorial needs. During the Chief Nursing Officer’s report, Amber Hogan stated the hospital is currently seeking two full-time day-shift nurses and paramedics, as well as several day-shift certified nursing assistants. Hogan also reported she has earned her certification as a Rural Health Chief Nursing Officer. Bollman presented the Human Resources report, noting there were no new hires and that five employees had departed. Following the Quality Improvement report presented by Kendra Mobray, the board addressed the remaining items under New Business. The board retroactively approved the emergency purchase of a new induction warmer in the amount of $7,552.24. The warmer is used to keep patient food at safe temperatures during transport. Board member Zach Moser stated that future emergency purchases exceeding the $5,000 threshold outlined in the hospital’s bylaws should be approved through a special meeting that may be conducted virtually. The board then began discussion regarding a potential change in workers’ compensation insurance from a fully funded plan to a self-funded plan. That discussion was continued in executive session as well as to address legal and personnel matters. The next meeting of the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors is scheduled for January 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Doctor’s Library and is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held its regular meeting Tuesday, December 23rd in the auditorium at 202 North Washington Street. Prior to calling the meeting to order, Mayor Greg Parker opened a public hearing regarding a request from Terry and Shirley Perkins for annexation into the city limits. As no individuals were present to speak on the matter, the public hearing was closed and the regular meeting was called to order. Following prayer and roll call, the Board approved the agenda and consent agenda and appointed Richard LaBrash to an additional four-year term on the Salem Housing Authority. The Aldermen also approved a bid in the amount of $11,000 from Capital Quarries of Salem for the purchase of limestone rock for the Street Department. Although this was not the lowest bid received, department officials noted that supporting a local vendor would result in faster turnaround times and reduced fuel and labor costs. Funds for this purchase will be paid from the Street Maintenance line item in the Street Department budget, which has $35,000 allocated. Under New and Miscellaneous Business, the Board approved Resolutions No. 29-2025 and 30-2025. These resolutions authorize the mayor to execute a memorandum of understanding between the City of Salem and the Salem R-80 School District for the provision of a school resource officer (SRO), as well as a memorandum of understanding regarding the dual commission of an SRO between the Salem Police Department, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, and the Salem R-80 School District. The cost is estimated at approximately $14,000 in compensation, which will be included in a future budget. Additional costs will be incurred for SRO-specific training required by the state; however, the Salem Police Department has a general ledger category that will cover these training expenses, and no budget adjustment is necessary at this time. Funding for the position will be split 75/25, with the school district covering 75 percent of the compensation. The Board then heard the first and second readings of Bill No. 3694, authorizing approval of Change Order No. 6 to the Downtown Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Project contract with Maggi Construction Company. The change order calls for the complete removal of the existing sidewalk from the front of the Bank of Salem building to the curb, including heat pads, and replacement with new sidewalks and heat pads consistent with the remainder of the project. The work will also include installation of a metal grid system to serve as the ceiling over the exposed basement structure. The total cost of the change order is $36,600. The Bank of Salem has agreed to contribute $5,000, and $7,200 will be paid from city funds previously reserved for such corrections. The remaining $24,400 will be split evenly between the City of Salem and Archer-Elgin, with each contributing $12,200. No matching funds will be provided by MoDOT. The change order will require a budget adjustment using prior-year funds and a timeline extension of 183 days, moving the project completion date from August 1, 2025, to February 1, 2026. The Aldermen voted to approve this change order. Finance Director Stacy Houston was absent from the meeting; however, her report was submitted in writing. Following reports from city officials, the Board adjourned into executive session for discussion of legal and personnel matters.