Local News – Friday, August 21st, 2020
The Salem Memorial Hospital held their tax rate hearing prior to the regular meeting Tuesday night at the hospital library. The total estimated assessed real estate and personal property valuation for the year 2021 comes to $258,270,296 from the four counties that make up the hospital district. That is about a 5.5 million dollar increase from 2020. The board voted to request an increase in their tax rate to the maximum allowed by the state auditor of 24 cents per $100 assessed valuation from the rate last year of 19.25 cents per $100 assessed valuation. Before acting on the tax rate proposal, the board approved a resolution that stipulated the board did not take any voluntary tax reductions in a prior even numbered year. The amount of funds from the tax will be used only for capital projects and come to about $619,849.00. The increase in funds will be used to cover the costs associated with the new MRI, hospital expansion and major improvements. In the last year, the hospital spent over $900,000 in capital improvements and received just under $500,000 in taxes to cover the cost. With no public objections, the board approved raising the tax rate to 24 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The hearing was then adjourned.
The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening. After the approval of the consent agenda, bills were reviewed and approved. The budget report showed a balance of $185,411.35 as of August 18th. In new business, Chief Brad Nash reported that the furnace in the laundry room, which is the same furnace from Pines Chevrolet, is failing and needs to be replaced. A motion was made and approved to replace the furnace at a cost of $2,700.00. A public tax hearing was then opened where the budget was reviewed and the tax levy for 2021 was discussed. The total assessed valuation for the district is $104,457,961 and the current tax rate is 0.2338. The maximum allowed by the Hancock Amendment is $0.2374 which would be $.0036 increase. After discussion a motion was made and carried to set the rate at $0.2338. Before adjourning, the board set the date for the next meeting for Tuesday September 1st at 6:00 at the fire station and that meeting will be open to the public.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their tax rate hearing and regular meeting Thursday evening at the district administrative offices. At the tax rate hearing, Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed reported this year’s assessed valuation for the Salem R-80 School District was $71,850,488. The district will still be using the operating levy ceiling of $2.75 per $100 assessed valuation and has a 52-cent per $100 assessed debt levy ceiling. Reed recommended the district stay with the 45-cent debt service levy as in the past as it is sufficient to meet the district’s obligations. The hearing was adjourned and in the regular meeting, Chelsie Fulton brought in “Gus” who is a therapy dog. She said the biggest benefit of therapy dogs is emotional support and Gus has gone through all the necessary obedience training. She said she would start out at three days a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Assistant Superintendent John Smith said there were 14 new teachers this year, and said things during their orientation were different than in previous years with virtual and seated students. Superintendent Reed said the school has their touchless thermometers were in for the children to test everyday at school, that masks will be available for those on busses and they will also have hand sanitizer. The drivers will be wearing masks and they will also disinfect the busses after every run. She said there were 80 students in kindergarten through the 8th grade and 25 students in grader 9 through 12 that will start the year virtual. This year there are 53 students out for high school football, 39 for middle school football, 16 for softball, 23 for volleyball, 10 high school and three middle school students out for cross country and 15 for cheerleading. Reed also saluted Transportation Supervisor Bob Moreland as all R-80 busses passed this year’s inspection. At the football game, there will be limited concessions and visiting team fans are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. It was suggested to reach out the Dent County Health Center Director Kendra Mobray for direction when it came to attendance at the athletic events. Assistant Athletic Director Clay Moody reported that KSMO Radio would provide live video of all home varsity athletic events and hopefully the away football games as well on the ksmoradio.com site. The board approved the 2019-2020 Annual Secretary of the Board report which showed reserves at 21.46% which is down due to COVID-19. The board approved the $2.75 Operating Ceiling levy and the debt service levy of 45 cents per $100 assessed valuation, and approved the preschool lease with the Dent County Developmental Disabilities Board. The board did postpone any decision on a new Memorandum of Understanding on the school resource officer until the Board of Alderman have made their suggestions. The officer will continue to be at the school while negotiations continue. The board then went into closed session.