Local News – Friday, February 24th, 2023

At Thursday’s Commissioners meeting Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles noted that an opportunity has presented itself that he can’t pass up so effective as of midnight Saturday, February 25th, he is resigning as Dent County Presiding Commissioner. Skiles said he has thoroughly enjoyed the last 16 years and was very complimentary of the office holders, the staff and the community in meeting the needs of Dent County. He said he sincerely appreciates the trust citizens placed in him and it’s been an honor and a privilege to serve as Presiding Commissioner. In his last report as Presiding Commissioner Thursday, Skiles said he attended a number of meetings via phone over the last few weeks, which included the Transportation Advisory Committee and the Public Housing Authority. Skiles said that PHA is in need of HUD rental units and anyone interested should contact Don Keeney at MRPC. He also attended the MRPC February meeting via phone. Skiles stated that a year ago when it came time to file for the Presiding Commissioner’s position, he considered not filing but wanted to see the Department of Revenue tax situation come to its conclusion, as well as the renovation of the courthouse exterior to begin. He said he didn’t feel like he could walk away from those two issues. Skiles went on to say the Department of Revenue situation is very near finalization and there will be scaffolding going up around the courthouse this spring as that project moves forward. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley will notify the Governor’s Office and follow State Statute Chapter 49 and 105 for a replacement to be named.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles opened the meeting by apologizing for missing meetings due to his concussion and the protocol associated with it. Sherry Lea, George Gruendel and Jamie Myers were in representing the Health Dent County Prevention Coalition. Lea noted that Gruendel and Myers are the Co-Chairs of the Opiod Prevention Coalition and the group is here to provide expertise and guidance once the Opiod Settlement guidelines are established and released. Craig Siers was in to point out that chip and seal materials on Dent County Road 3230 have washed into his yard and are several inches deep. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said he would have his crew work on the removal of the materials. In the road report, District One Commissioner Wes Mobray said rock would be added and grading would be done on Dent County Road 5600, while grading only will be done on county road 6370. He also reported that brush would be cut on 5610. Commissioner Larson reported that grading would be done and rock would be added to Dent County Roads 3180, 3225, and 4280. He also said that brush would be cut on the short roads around Anutt, which are county roads 2180, 2183, 2185, 2195, and 2200. Presiding Commissioner Skiles noted that the Notice of Decision on the $30,000 ARPA Funds for the Senior Citizens Center needed to be signed by the Commissioners which they did. He also reported that the final Flood Hazard Mitigation determination from FEMA was sent to the Commission. The Commissioners agreed to an invitation to bid for the road improvement project Flap 056 project and will take bids until March 16th at 10:00. For more information interested parties should contact Great Rivers Engineering at (417) 886-7171. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that the financial statement has been prepared and needed to be signed by the Commissioners, plus bills were being approved for payment. Curley said that absentee voting continues through April 3rd, the last day to register to vote is March 3rd, the last day to request a mail out absentee ballot is March 22nd, and March 21st through April 3rd “no excuse” absentee voting can be done in her office. Curley also reported she attended the MAC Board meeting in Jefferson City Wednesday, plus it was County Clerks Legislative Day. Corky Stack with Stack Engineering joined the Commissioners for the opening of bids for the Jail Sewer Repairs and Grinder Installation. The bid by BuildTec from St. James was for $62,000 and unit charges were additional. The P. J. Myers bid from Cuba was for $42,500 and unit charges were additional. The Commissioners voted 2-0 to accept the P. J. Myers bid. The project will begin next Monday with paperwork, then 10 days of providing insurance and bonding. Work will begin at the end of March and it will be a week long project. The Commission agreed 2-0 to purchase a used Ford F-450 plow and snow truck for the road department. Phone calls were made and the Commissioners found a 2006 Ford F-450 for $25,000. A motion to buy the truck was approved 2-0. The Commissioner will not meet on Thursday, March 2nd, due to their annual conference. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.