Local News – Tuesday, September 12th, 2023

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to present the sales tax monies received this month. She reported the General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $84,626.65 which is $26,662 less than for September of 2022. Year-to-date, the General Revenue Fund and the LEST funds are down $42,689.84. The Road and Bridge Fund received $37,865.91 this month, down $14,947.12 from September of 2022. Year-to-date, that fund is down $21,154.20. The Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $76,153.48 and that is down $29,439.04 from September 2022 receipts. Year-to-date, that fund is down $38,409.50. These figures are all net of the monthly withholding by the Department of Revenue which for all funds is $11,108.91. The amount still owed by the county to the Missouri Department of Revenue is $866,484.77. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6090 while only grading would be done on county roads 5160 and 5630. Mobray said brush would be cut on county road 6370 and work crews would be putting up missing road signs. He also went on to say the diesel and gas fuel phone bids would be taken. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4290 while only grading would be done on county roads 2405, 6123 and 6160. Polk went on to say brush would be cut on county road 6160 and crews would be patching a hole on chip and seal road 3240. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the electronics and tire collection this past Saturday was very successful that was sponsored by the county, City of Salem, MRPC and the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District. Mobray also chimed in a big thank you to the MRPC and solid waste management district for providing a semi-truck to collect the tires from the county road and bridge department shed. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley attended her Missouri County Clerk and Election Authority Conference last week where those attending heard a number of speakers, officials and legislators on a wide variety of topics. Curley said there were discussions on Cybersecurity, handicapped accessible voting practices, security and safety at elections. There were also updates from legislators, the election assistance commission, the ethics commission and a presentation by MoDOT on TAP grants that may be available. Curley said the clerk’s association also discussed new resolutions and received reports from their committees. Commissioner Larson stated Dent County was lucky to have Curley as their county clerk with her knowledge and experience as this year alone there were 38 new county clerks who are trying to learn about the position which can be intimidating. The county commission then opened bids on a lease/purchase for the two new graders they will be receiving later this month. They received bids from Town and Country Bank, Progressive Ozark Bank and the Bank of Salem. Town and Country Bank was the low bid for the lease/purchase for a total of $485,896.15. The lease will be paid back in five equal installments at a 4.45% interest rate. All bank fees associated with the lease/purchase were waived. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident happened Sunday evening just before 7:00 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about five miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Honda Accord being driven by 41-year-old Kenneth Houston of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the road, struck an embankment and overturned. Two passengers in the vehicle, a 5-year-old male juvenile and 12-year-old female juvenile, both suffered moderate injuries and were taken by Phelps Health EMS to Phelps Health hospital. The Honda was totaled and removed from the scene by C & C Towing. The driver and both passengers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting at 6:00 this evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, John Hambacker and Jay Anderson will talk about the railroad walking trail, Bill Parsons will ask for street closures for Spooktober, and Debbie Murphey will talk about communication. In New Business, the board will discuss a new air conditioning unit for the wastewater treatment facility, the increase in supplies for the Al Brown Field lighting, the purchase of salt, and the first reading of Bill #3573 authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement between the City of Salem and Buildtec Construction, LLC to build six T-hangers at the Salem Airport. The board will hear about a personnel policy amendment, hear two community requests for funding for the Dent County Extension and SACBA, and discuss Resolution #28-2023 to approve the MRPC annual contract. Mayor Greg Parker will recommend Carolyn Boyle to serve on the finance committee before a number of bills will be read for the second time dealing with rezoning on Babb Lane, rezoning lot 10 in the JKD subdivision and the rezoning of Lot 4 in Block A of the Oak Park Addition. Bills # 3570, 3571 and 3572 amending hook up fees for sewer, water and electric for the City of Salem will also be read for the second time. After reports of the city officials, the board will go into closed session. The meeting tonight is open to the public.