Local News – Friday, December 7th, 2018

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning in the Courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said his crews were grading and adding materials to Dent County Roads 4124 and 5550, plus grading only would be done on county road 6110. He also noted that brush was being cut on county roads 5390 and 5400. Purcell also reported that his crew was preparing for the forecasted storm and all snow removal equipment was being checked over. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading was being done and materials were being added to Dent County Road 4280 and that grading only would be done on county road 4290. He also reported that brush was being cut on county road 2500 and that truck #124 was being serviced. Larson noted that his crew was also preparing to push snow if needed and that low hanging tree limbs were being removed from Dent County Roads 2370 and 3020. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to thank all those ringing the bells for the Salvation Army and all the contributors. The Commissioners will be ringing bells today. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of November and that the Commissioners had reviewed her reports. She noted that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment and that her office continues to work on the 2019 budget. Phone bids were taken for 2,000 gallons of gasoline and MFA Oil was the low bidder at $1.7114 per gallon. Purcell and Larson noted that they had been informed that steel prices were going to increase 15% as of the first of the year. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to take bids for grader blades. The bids will be opened December 20th at 10:00. The Commissioners also voted 3-0 to renew the contract with Healthy Dent County for rural addressing services for 2019 with no changes from the 2018 contract. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams will send the last budgeted transfer from Senior Citizens Fund. She then discussed the previous open bank bids for county deposits. She recommended the commission reject both previous depository bids that were from January 1st through December 2019 from both banks. Williams and Skiles both talked to representatives with the bank of Salem and Progressive Ozark Bank. Both banks understood the circumstances of a short term bid and the challenges and concerns. In lieu of the bid rejection, Williams has requested an extension of the depository agreement with Progressive Ozark Bank from January 1st through June 30th, 2019. Williams recommends that the depository bids be taken in accordance with Missouri Revised Statute RSMO 110.130, that bids will be taken in the spring of 2019 for a four-year term that would begin on July 1st, 2019 and last through June 30th, 2023. Williams visited with all five banking institutions in Salem and they all indicated they would like to bid in 2019. The Commission approved Williams’ recommendation of the bid rejection and the extension of the current depository agreement with Progressive Ozark Bank until June 30th as well as soliciting of bids in the spring of 2019. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Insurance reminds consumers that the enrollment period for individual health insurance plans sold on the federal Marketplace or directly by an insurance company ends on December 15, 2018. Individuals who haven’t shopped for insurance plans are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Consumers can access the department’s coverage map for more information on companies in their respective county. If you purchase health insurance through the federal marketplace, your cost may be reduced if you are eligible for an advanced premium tax credit (APTC). The credits are only available if you buy insurance on the marketplace and not on policies purchased through your employer. Missourians who have questions regarding association health plans (AHPs) or short-term limited-duration insurance should contact an insurance agent for more information. For more information or to utilize the department’s shopping tool, visit the department’s website at insurance.mo.gov or call the Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-726-7390

The local Dent County Service Unit of the Salvation Army still needs your help to reach our goal this year. The famous red kettles and volunteer bell ringers will be located at Country Mart, Dollar General and Wal-Mart every Friday and Saturday until Christmas Eve. People will also find numerous counter kettles that are located at various locations throughout the community. The kettles are the primary way that funds are raised to continue to meeting the needs of the less fortunate in our community. This year’s goal is $30,000 which will be used throughout the year for those in need. The Salvation Army will continue its dedication to doing the most good not only during the holiday season, but year round. The work done by the Salvation Army could not be accomplished without the generosity of the citizens of Dent County. In addition to the red kettles, the Salvation Army is again partnering with Wal-Mart to host the Angel Tree. Dent County residents can now adopt an angel off the tree and purchase Christmas gifts for the angel. The Angel tree will be up until Monday, December 17th. If you have any questions about the Angel tree or the Salvation Army, call 729-8163.