Local News – Tuesday, August 10th, 2021

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2470, while only grading would be done on county roads 5150, 5380 and 5580. He went on to say brush would be cut on county road 6090 and that roadside trash was having to be picked up along Dent Fords Road. If anyone sees a person or group dumping trash on county roads, do not try to stop them. Instead, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3180 while only grading would be done on county roads 2050, 2060 and 6160. He added that brush was being cut on county road 3190. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the Missouri Association of Counties interview of six candidates for the Executive Director’s position last Tuesday. The entire MAC board will be meeting this week to vote on the new Executive Director. Skiles stated he will also attend the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting Thursday afternoon at the MRPC before attending two more meetings at the MRPC Thursday evening. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported her office balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of July, and that her office along with the collector’s office and the assessor’s office balanced on all collections, add-ons and abatements for the month of July. She also reported she will be attending the MAC meetings on Wednesday through Friday. At the last meeting, Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells discussed the purchase of two new police vehicles that have been budgeted. The commission agreed on those vehicles being purchased. Later, Sheriff Wells wanted to seek financing bids for the lease/ purchase of a third vehicle that was not originally in the budget, for the state price of $37,801. The lease purchase they are seeking would be for three years with one payment per year. Wells says he will have enough money in the budget for the payment. The commission approved his request to put out for bids and they will be opened on Monday, August 16th at 10:00. Information and specifics can be found at the county clerk’s office. Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer came in to discuss with the commission about getting new plat books. She had stopped by Barton County and picked up a plat book they had created in house through the “Clear Basin” software the county uses. She said the plat books can be updated monthly and can be printed on the spot. The cost to make the plat book was $15 and it was sold to the public for $30. She said if the county wanted to do this in-house, the cost for using the “clear basin” software was $2,500 per year with a five-year commitment. The commission asked Homeyer if there was money in the budget for this and she thought there was. The commission made no decision on the plat book as they wanted to look through it more. 143rd District State Representative Ron Copeland was in attendance and said there was going to be a meeting next Monday on the Transportation Infrastructure bill being voted on in the Senate and how there is supposed to be additional money for broadband. He also said he and other representatives are working on a “Community Rural Development” group to help the rural areas with economic development or the seeking of economic improvements. He also said the new federal congressional districts will be released in September. The commissioners then opened bids for numerous pieces of old or no longer used county equipment that was at the county road and bridge department shed. A number of bids were received and when the winners were totaled, the amount the county was to receive was $18,055.75. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

On August 9th, Sheriff Bob Wells and Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley presented the sum of $4,410.93 to Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams to be placed into the general revenue fund for Dent County. The money is the result of efforts by law enforcement involving the seizure of cash and illegal firearms possessed in connection with the illegal use and/or the distribution of controlled substances. The seizure and sale occurred in connection with recent drug prosecutions that concluded in Dent County. The seizure and sale of the firearms is authorized by Missouri law as an additional punishment and deterrent to persons that illegally use or distribute controlled substances while in the possession of firearms. Further, money that is obtained through the illegal sale of controlled substances is subject to seizure and forfeiture. This money will be used for the benefit of the local community.