News – Thursday, December 4th 2025

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees met Thursday evening, November 20th at 5:00. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report for the month of October. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated there were no cases of COVID-19 reported, however the virus is known to be present in the community, while the active lead cases were reported at 69, plus 12 Communicable Disease cases. There were no Influenza A cases, 6 animal bites were reported, and there were 18 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, resulting in 81 total tests. The October environmental report showed there were 11 total inspections or re-inspections conducted. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there were no car seats distributed, there were 3 Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 2 CPR Courses, one consultation for Childcare Health, and there were 13 Title X appointments reported. There was one Presumptive Eligibility (Temporary Medicaid), while there were 369 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 875 total appointments other than WIC, 140 total provider appointments, 224 treatment court visits, 193 lab appointments and 90 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed 3 Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 8 family plannings, 6 well-child visits, 1 other well-woman exam, 8 other physicals, 10 SEMO physicals, plus 48 other visits, and 56 acute illness appointments for a total of 140 visits. Laboratory details showed 257 Lab Draws, 8 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 2 pregnancy tests, 10 lead tests were reported, plus 26 other urine drug screenings. Phlebotomy Appointments totaled 173, while all Lab Appointments totaling 193. Immunizations for October showed 139 for COVID-19 and 243 for Influenza, plus 64 other vaccines given during 311 appointments. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported on the retirement of Joanie Fleener, a former Health Board member and long-time employee. Her retirement reception is November 26th at 3:00. He reported on the Mini-maze prevention and education event lead by Riley Pratt and Jessica Ricks, with many volunteers and sponsor making the event possible. They plan to follow it up with a larger event for the 8th graders called “Teen Maze.” Moser said that no trustee’s terms are expiring this year, so no election notice is necessary. He updated the board on continued delays in payments by the State of Missouri. Currently there are well over $100,000 in payments owed to the DCHC by the State. Moser also reported on some damage to the CareCab vehicle and plans for repair. Jessica Ricks provided written reports to the Board regarding her team’s activities and the progress the Community Health Improvement Plan and accreditation. The financial reports, along with the report from H&R Block, for October were reviewed and approved by the board. In new business Zach presented a proposed Drug Testing Policy, since one was not previously in place. The policy was approved by the Board. He presented the first draft of the 2026 budget. To facilitate the final preparation of the budget, compensation adjustments for 2026 were considered. The Board approved a motion to adjust all wages by 2.5%, prorated based on percentage of the year worked for those with DCHC less that 1 year. Also considered was the compensation schedule for 2026 and the Board voted to discontinue the additional compensation offered to employees who do not take the health insurance. The capital/cash budget for 2026 was reviewed and discussed, but no action was taken. Moser presented proposed changes to the Environmental fee schedule. There will be a public hearing held on the fee schedule at the January Board meeting. The idea for an Awards Gala was presented, to which the Board gave feedback on the proposal and expectations. The Board entered closed session at 7:36 to discuss personnel. At 8:06 the Board returned from closed session where the Board voted to allocate $6156.80 for 2026 for merit based raises to be distributed based on management recommendations. Prior to adjournment the next regular meeting date was set for Thursday, December 18th, 2025, at 5:00.

The Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association announced on Facebook they will have an early office closure on Friday, December 5th for employee training. The Rolla and Mt. Grove Offices will close at ten in the morning, and the Licking office will close an hour later at 11:00. If you require services or have an outage in your area dispatchers will still be available at 866-621-3679. The offices will open again with normal operating hours on Monday December 8th.