Your World Today

At the Dent County Commissioner meeting Monday, Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk and the Dent County Commission discused Senate Bill 190 and the new language that is coming out today to hopefully clarify the law. The original SB 190 language was unclear on how it was to be processed which is why the local commission refrained from moving forward after the Governor signed the bill. VanKirk said the software for her computer system to even implement the Homestead Credit has not yet even been created and the developer right now is working on it for Laclede County. The initial cost of this new software will be $20,000 that will be paid for by taxpayer money. The cost of any updates for each year are unknown. VanKirk said the county collectors will be holidng a workshop very soon to come up with an application process for people who are 62 years of age and older who would qualify for the program. There is also some confusion if this credit is for county taxes only, or is for all the taxing entities such as school districts, hospital districts, etc. If this is for county property taxes only, the credits could be small for the real estate owner and may not be there at all if the county sales taxes raise too much money which would then require a rollback in property taxes as required by the Hancock Amendment. It is hoped the new language will help clarify these points. Following the collector’s workshop, VanKirk will present her findings to all the county officer holders that will be affected by SB 190 to discuss how this will be implemented in Dent County. Only then will they bring it to the comissioners for discussion and adoption. They is a lot of misinformation about this bill and what it will do, and if anyone has any questions, please call Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk at 573-729-3911.

In a press release from Salem Parks and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois, the Parks and Recreation Department regrets to inform citizens that the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool will remain closed for the 2024 Summer season due to significant damage sustained to its pool liner from the hailstorm on April 18th. As a result of the extensive damage, it is necessary to keep the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool closed for the season while arrangements are made for professional replacement of the pool liner. Ensuring the safety and quality of our facilities for the community is our utmost priority, and we apologize for any inconvenience this closure may cause. Updates regarding the progress of repairs and plans for the upcoming season will be provided as soon as they become available. During this closure, we encourage citizens to explore other recreational opportunities offered by the City of Salem Parks and Recreation Department, and other entities including parks, trails, and recreational programs available throughout the community. The Park and Recreation Department appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the Salem community during this time. For more information and updates, please visit the City of Salem Parks and Recreation Department Facebook page or contact us directly. You can contact Melissa DuBois, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Salem Parks and Recreation Department, at 573-729-6031 or email her at: salemparks@salemmo.com.

This Saturday from 10:00 until 12:30 at the Creative Arts Center, Jennifer Johnson will teach you how to needle felt into a beautiful wool succulent in this beginner friendly class. You will make your own 2”-3” needle felted plant from start to finish. One ceramic pot will be provided per person. All materials are included, including foam mats, felting needles and wool. The class will be taught as a follow along guide, with one style of succulent being demonstrated. There is room for creative color choice and shape! The barbed felting needles are very sharp, so it is not recommended for children younger than 14. No experience is necessary, but good hand-eye coordination and focus is a must. The cost: is $30 and a minmum of five people need to sign up to hold the class which will hold no more than 10. Class registrations are on a first come, first serve basis with online registrations at the SACBA website under the Creative Arts Center. Felting mats, needles, and colorful wool enough to make an additional succulent will be available as a kit for purchase after the class so you can continue to have fun with your new skill!

The City of Salem Utility Committee will be meeting tonight at 6:15 in the evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road. At the meeting, the committee will hear about utility billing and payments as well as changes in the office. The committee will hear about the Service Protection Program and be updated on the MMMPEP meeting held May 9th. The committee will also hear work reports from city employees before there is a draft budget presentation and rate discussion. The Utility Committee meeting tonight is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to present the sales tax monies received this month. The General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $88,840.71 which is $7,171.22 more than for May of 2023. Year-to-date, the General Revenue Fund and the LEST funds are up about $10,781.50. The Road and Bridge Fund received $41,912.63 this month, up $5,006.38 from the May 2023 figure of $36,906.25. Year-to-date, that fund is up $3,833.20. The Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $84,247.43 in May and that is up $10,013.64 from the 2023 receipts of $74,233.79. Year-to-date, those funds are up $8,857.69. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 6435 and road signs will be put up on various roads around the county. Mobray said three trees came down from the storms last week that crews would be cleaning up. He said he spoke with Michelle Watkins who is the Central District Engineer for MoDOT, and she said the state will not be paving approaches from the county roads to the state highway. However, if members of the public report potholes on the approaches by calling 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636), MoDOT will send work crews to make the repairs and patch the potholes. She told Mobray that Highway 19 North would be repaved in 2028 although that did not show up on the recently released STIP plan. Watkins also said the state would not put up signs on the county roads to restrict big trucks as they would then have to put them up on all roads including those in Salem. Mobray said he still wants to talk with someone at MoDOT above Watkins to see if something can be done. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 4405 and 5260, while only grading would be done on county road 2313. Polk said rock would also be added to Dent County Road 3260 where a work crew will be repairing the ditch line from a washout. He went on to say brush would be cut on county road 4040. Presiding Commission Gary Larson said he would be at St. James today to sign papers for the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District. Dent County Assistant County Clerk Melissa Piatt said she would be verifying signatures from Dent County residents who signed any of the five state initiative petitions to make sure they are registered voters of the county. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Music Department presents the Spring Band Concert at the High School Gymnasium tonight at 6:00. The concert will feature the 6th grade band, the 7th grade band, the 8th grade band, the High School Second Chance Band and the High School Concert Band. Eeveryone is welcome to attend!!

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. There will be a CBDG Public Hearing at 6:00 before the then call to order. After the consent agenda, the board will hear public comments and consider a board appointment from Mayor Greg Parker. The board will then consider an expenditure of funds for the Fireworks Display, plus hear bids for Hot Mix Asphalt and an HVAC System for the Animal Pound. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board will consider the following resolutions: Resolution No. 13-2024, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between Tri Cat Restoration, the City of Salem, and Judy Kysar for property at 403 E. Hunt; Resolution #14-2024, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between Tri Cat Restoration, the City of Salem, and Richard LaBrash for property located at 1500 S. Louise Street; and Resolution No. 15-2024, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between Steven Thurmond, the City of Salem, and Oren Welch for property located at 403 W. Hunt. The board will also consider conditional use permits for property at 906 S. Water Street and #2 North McArthur. There will be the first reading of Bill No. 3609, an ordinance amending Section 140.060 of the city code of the City of Salem regarding the creation and membership of the Airport Advisory Board. After reports from city officials, the board will go into closed session to discuss legal actions, litigation, and confidential or privileged communication, which will be followed by adjournment. The meeting tonight of the Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.