Local News – Friday, June 16th, 2023

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the sales tax revenues received by the county in June where the General Revenue Fund and LEST Fund each received $94,747.50 which is $2,172.88 less than for June of 2022. The Road and Bridge Fund received $44,497.38 in June which is down $1,290.34 from June of 2022. The Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $89,416.73 and that is down $2,125.47 from June 2022 receipts. These figures are all net of the monthly withholding by the Department of Revenue. Williams said she also received the Payment in Lieu of Taxes payment of $176,896 which is more than the $172,159 received in 2022. Williams went on to say the county Road and Bridge Fund also received the reimbursement for white rock from the Department of Conservation in the amount of $20,273.96. She went on to say the transition of banking accounts from Progressive Ozark Bank to the Bank of Salem is going well with two accounts still yet to be converted over. Corky Stack from Stack Design and Consulting Group was at the meeting to update the commission on work done on the courthouse. He said workers are doing dismantling work in taking off the trim anchored by wood blocks behind the brick work. That will be re-secured with plywood and the trim anchored to the brick. He said an environmental company has been hired to put together work plans for the removal of the lead based paint on the wood entryway and asbestos caulking found on the roof. Stack said windows to be delivered around July 1st. Stack said the dormers will be delivered in September after they go through Rolla where part of the dormer is painted with automotive paint. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said materials would be added and grading done on county roads 5410 and 6320 while only grading was going to be done on county road 6400. He said brush was cut on Dent County Road 5465 which is the Miner Cemetery Road and materials were added to it. Mobray said rock was also added to county road 5670 and that the FLAP project 56 on county road 6670 which consisted of asphalting the hill to Tan Vat, has been completed and will have its final inspection by MoDOT Tuesday. Mobray stated the work crews are rebuilding Dent County Road 5080 so that it can be chipped and sealed next year. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson gave the District 2 report and said brush was cut on the Commons Road which is county road 2300 and also on county road 2270. He said materials were being added to Dent County Road 2370 and rock was also being stockpiled at the county shed. Larson reported he attended a number of meetings last week including the Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation on June 7th, followed by the TAC and External Relations Committee meetings on June 8th where they finalized the menu for the annual volunteer awards dinner to be held this year at Hermann. At the awards dinner, two Dent County citizens will be recognized for their volunteer efforts and they are Easton May and Deloris Gray Wood. Larson said at the MRPC meeting also held June 8th, there was discussion on the Opioid Settlement Funds and how they can be used. It was recommended to have Attorney Jack Garvey meet with the county representatives and explain about how the money can be used. Larson went on to say there are still some ARPA Funds available for fire departments and law enforcement through the MRPC. He didn’t know the name of the program, but thought there was $20,000 available to those types of organizations. He said there was also some discussion on Senate Bill 190 that offers property tax credits for senior citizens. The commission opened bids for chip and seal for later this year. The commission received two bids: one from Blevins Asphalt from Brookline, Missouri, and the other from Stewart Asphalt Paving from Goodman, Missouri. The commission approved the bid from Blevins Asphalt for $1.80 a square yard that will include an enhanced oil that stays more pliable at a total bid cost of $266,112. Adam Boswell from Blevins Asphalt was in attendance and said they would do the Dent County projects in September. In the county clerks report, they are still doing voter registration address changes from the canvass held a few weeks back. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk reported to the commission her monthly turnover. She said her office received $82,958.54 that has been distributed to the respective entities. She said that is a 1.12% increase from last year. She said as of Thursday morning, there were still 58 people who owe real estate taxes from 2020 and they have until June 30th to get them paid so they would have another year to get caught up. The courthouse will be closed Monday for Juneteenth so the next commissioner meeting will be Thursday, June 22nd.

The Salem Chamber Business Expo will be held this Saturday from 9:00 until noon at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center Parking Area at the intersection of Highway 32-72 and 19. Everyone is welcome to come by and browse around the numerous vendors who will be there to talk about their services and products. People will find numerous samples and giveaways at booths throughout the event including Town & Country Bank who will be giving away a $200 County Mart Gift Card, American Family Insurance will be giving away a $100 Visa Gift Card, the ATC Den will have a cash machine set up and chances to win Chamber Rodeo tickets, Riverways Federal Credit Union will be giving away an Igloo Cooler full of Summer Fun items, Edward Jones Pickle Ball Set and Big Rock Candy Mountain will have a Gift Certificate. Come on out and find out about numerous businesses and organizations in our area!