News – Friday, July 11th 2025

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said the crews will be grading Dent County Roads 6350, 6410, 6420, 6480 and 6485 while brush will be cut on county road 6460. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said two grader operators were out so brush will be cut on Dent County Road 2300. Williams reported crews will be installing a driveway culvert on county road 3090 and rock will be hauled to that location, plus crews will be doing patch work on county road 3210 over a culvert and on a low-water bridge. Williams went on to say that six large culvert pipes are being taken to Dent County Road 2500 for extensive work that will begin on Monday. Once that work begins Monday, Dent County Road 2500 will be closed until the work is completed. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the Meramec Regional Community Foundation meeting in St. James at the MRPC offices on Wednesday. The MRCF’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in the eight-county Meramec region through resource development, community grant making,  collaboration and public leadership. This meeting concentrated on aiding numerous Phelps County organizations with help from the tornado damages they suffered this spring. He said the community had raised around $100,000 that was placed in a fund at the MRCF. Larson stated that eight organizations received funding totaling $71,388 and they included Russell House which received $1,388; with $70,000 going to seven other organizations with each getting $10,000. They included the Phelps County Faith Foundation, Community Partnership Foundation, Phelps County Fairgrounds, Rolla Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Phelps Health Foundation, Salvation Army and Choices for People. Larson also stated the county received a letter from the state to help provide funding for the remonumentation of the established surveyed Public Land Survey System corners. The commission will be in touch with the county surveyor on this. At the last meeting, Collector Shannon VanKirk reported the monthly collections from June which came to $109,342.33. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday at the Fire Station at #2 South Main. The bills were then reviewed, approved and signed, showing a remaining balance of $363,879.20. The budget was reviewed and approved with only the firefighting equipment line item being over budget by 34%. The monthly reimbursement report showed a total of 14 calls for June and 157 calls for the year-to-date. There were four calls for fires, four for medical assistance, one utility problem, one hazmat call, one accident, one alarm, one agency assist, and one call was classified as other. In old business, the board discussed truck purchases, but that was tabled until the next meeting. The radio grant the fire district was hoping to get was canceled by the US Government. The board also discussed the old Fidelity tower lease, but that was also tabled until the next meeting. The board approved to allow the board president to sign the intent resolution for bond expenditures allowing the reimbursement to the Dent County Fire Protection District general fund for the expenditures paid from the general fund prior to receiving bond finances. The board also approved using the Bank of Salem for the payback of the bond service, and to use Progressive Ozark Bank for the items purchased with bond monies. Treasurer Dave Wells reminded the board the Tax Hearing would be held in August where the board will have to set the new tax rate, The date will be determined once the paperwork is sent to the department with the assessment figures from the clerk. He also said the state auditor form “C” will need to be filled out and filed. To get that done, the district will supply the figures from the clerk to L.J. Hart and Company to develop the levy calculations and available options for the debt service levy. Chief Dennis Floyd reported that truck #8026 was out of service due to an engine malfunction. The board heard quotes from John Knight and Chief Floyd on bunker gear and elected to go with Banner Fire Equipment Inc. who is a distributor of Fire-Dex products. Fire-Dex is a manufacturer specializing in firefighter Personal Protective Equipment, particularly known for its innovative and protective gear for first responders that complies with NFPA rules. The decision to get the dual compliance gear was made quickly in order to save $20,000 as the price will go up July 14th. Chief Floyd asked for an early reimbursement for Earl Jarvis Jr which was approved by the board. The next meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District will be Tuesday, August 12th at 6:00 at the fire station.