News – Monday, July 7th 2025

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson was not in attendance due to a prior commitment. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley appointed District 1 Commissioner Keith Green as acting Presiding Commissioner. In the road report Green said that his guys were off Thursday and Friday for the holiday. He said they have been working on repairing storm damaged roadways. Green said his crew may be able to get back to grading next week. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that his crew worked late on Wednesday in order to get Dent County Roads 5300, 3310, and 4300 safely passable as those roads had suffered severe storm damage over the weekend, especially at the low water crossings. Williams wanted to give citizens a heads up that Monday a farmer that has cattle guards on county road 3180 will be pulling those up to perform some maintenance. Motorist will still be able to travel the road as there are gates that will be open to go around the work. Curley reported that she balanced with the collector, assessor, and treasurer on all monthly collections, add-ons, and abatements for the month of June and that the commissioners had her reports to review. She noted that bills were being approved by the commissioners and that the courthouse would be closed Friday in observance of Independence Day. Curley also noted that Monday the commissioners would be opening bids at 10:00 for engineering services. Zach Moser, Dent County Health Center Administrator, was in to give on update on activities including a CPR Course that had 8 participants. Moser also reported that the Community Health Assessment deadline for the survey is July 15th and that June 30th was the deadline to meet food codes. The commissioners agreed 2-0 sign the Scenic Rivers Industries cardboard pick up enrollment agreement form and SRI will pick up twice a week for $250.00 per month. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be this morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held a special meeting last Monday evening at 6:00 in the Old City Hall Auditorium, located at 202 N. Washington Street. The meeting agenda was approved after the removal of the closed session. The Board conducted first readings of four ordinances: Bill Nos. 3674 through 3677, relating to proposed changes in electric service rates. The recommendations stem from a recent rate study conducted by Utility Financial Solutions, LLC (UFS), which suggested reinstating a service availability fee: $8 per month for residential customers and $12 per month for commercial customers. Additionally, UFS recommended reducing residential and demand kilowatt-hour (kWh) rates by 2% annually over the next three years, while increasing commercial kilowatt demand (kWd) rates by 8% each year for the same period. This adjustment aims to address the current imbalance, where residential customers are effectively subsidizing commercial users. The Aldermen will vote to either maintain the current rate structure or adopt a tiered system, as recommended by UFS at their next regular meeting. The Board approved Bill No. 3678, authorizing Change Order #5 with Donald Maggi, Inc. for the ongoing Salem Sidewalk Improvements Project. The change includes a timeline extension and an additional cost of $4,581.60 to allow the contractor to order the appropriate meter bases for new downtown streetlights. The Board also considered Bill No. 3679, which outlined a balanced proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, projecting approximately $27.8 million in revenues and $26.7 million in expenditures. The budget includes $3.9 million in intergovernmental transfers. Discussion centered on whether to reduce a $5,000 allocation from prior airport funds intended for a new electronic gate. Mayor Greg Parker called for a motion to approve the budget, but the initial motion failed for lack of a second. A subsequent motion by Alderman Kinsey to approve the budget with the $5,000 removed also failed to gain support. After further discussion, Alderman Whelan moved to approve the original budget without adjustments. The vote ended in a tie, which Mayor Parker broke by voting in favor, noting that although the funds are allocated, they may not be used if deemed unnecessary. The Board also passed Resolution No. 23-2025, approving a Technical Assistance Contract for Floodplain Administration with the Meramec Regional Planning Commission, and a bid from Nexgrid for the purchase of eight large-capacity electrical meters at a total cost of $5,196, which includes an 18% tariff charge. Revisions to the City’s credit and debit card processing system were also approved, eliminating fees for in-person card payments (excluding online convenience fees), discontinuing auto-pay via debit and credit cards, and ending the use of the U.S. Bank card reader effective July 30, 2025. 

The Salem Police Department released an update regarding the reported shooting last Wednesday night at the 700 block of south Elmer. The Salem Police responded after receiving information that a shooting had taken place. A victim was found shot, rushed to the ER, and later flown out for treatment. The reported shooter remained inside the residence and refused to comply with officers’ commands to exit. A perimeter was established with the assistance of the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and Highway Patrol. Rolla SWAT responded to the scene to assist. The reported shooter, now identified as Timothy Shipp, was taken into custody without incident after a prolonged standoff. A probable cause statement was filed with Dent County Prosecutor, Andrew Curley, and a warrant was issued by Judge Kelsaw for one Count of Assault 1st Degree, and one Count of Armed Criminal Action, both felonies. Shipp is currently being held without bond. The investigation is ongoing. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.