News – Monday, August 19th 2024

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse with special guests Salem Memorial Hospital CEO Brooke Bollman and Hospital Executive Secretary Hannah Harris, and Dent County Fire Protection District Chief Dennis Floyd and fire board secretary Dave Wells, plus Tad Headrick and Collector Shannon VanKirk. The discussion was centered around Senate Bill 190 and the effects it could have on all entities. Wells stated that any reduction in taxes to the entities would be detrimental especially with new state regulations and mandates that put a further burden on the entities. Collector VanKirk said if the county adopted an ordinance, they would have to define the meaning of the term “homestead” and what that would entail, for example just a house that is their principal domicile, or other land and structures, etc. She said they would also have to phrase the definition not to include investment property. The amount of credit to be determined would be based on the assessed value of that definition. She reported that she calculated 22.3% of registered voters are 65 years of age or older in Dent County, but with the Senate Bill 756 update that lowered the qualifying age to 62, she estimated that number to be closer to 25%. With Dent County having 3,948 some registered voters 62 or over, VanKirk said she expected no more than 1,200 would be eligible. If adopted, VanKirk said the county would set up a time to apply, probably from April 1st to June 30th, to give the county time to check each applicant. Also, many seniors do not own real estate or live in subsidized senior housing, and they would not qualify. Each applicant would have to fill out a form, provide a copy of their driver’s license or ID and a copy of the deed from the recorder’s office. This process would have to be repeated every year to get the Homestead Credit.  Collector VanKirk said many seniors can use Form 948 to receive a state tax credit, but there are income limitations to receive that credit. She also said that bonds and the State Blind Pension Fund are exempt from the reduction. VanKirk also wanted to say a raise in the tax rate would NOT change the value of the homestead credit dollar figure, but it would on ALL the other property or other real estate. The number of people who would apply for the Homestead Credit is unknown and the amount of money that would be lost by any entity is also unknown. Salem Hospital CEO Bollman said she wanted to clarify that any loss of income to the hospital during this time of financial crisis is critical for any reason, and this Homestead Credit tax reduction on its own would not close the hospital, but it could definitely help contribute to the financial struggles. The hospital also gets tax monies from Shannon, Iron and Crawford counties and those dollars could also be affected by what those counties do. The commission said they want to do what is best for the county and there is currently a poll on Senate Bill 190 online at salemnewsonline.com. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 6660 and 6670, while only grading would be done on county roads 5070, 5075 and 5650. Mobray said brush would be cut on county road 4220. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and grading on Dent County Road 5260 and 3335, while only grading would be done on county roads 3330, 3333, 3334 and 3337. Polk said brush would be cut on county roads 5320 and 5325. The next commission meeting will be this morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has announced several road maintenance projects for Dent County and nearby areas for this week. In Dent County, Route 19 will undergo pothole patching from Route JJ to Route TT. Roadside work is scheduled on Route K, and pavement repairs are planned for Route CC from Route C to Route H. For all these projects, one lane will remain open with flaggers directing traffic through the work zones. In Crawford County, pothole patching will continue on Route 19 from Mill Springs Road to Seven Cedars Road. Route 8 will see pothole patching from Meramec Farms Road to Route 68 in Phelps County. Both of these projects are scheduled for August 19-22. Phelps County will have ongoing work on I-44, with road resurfacing and reconstruction continuing from Exit 186 in Rolla to Exit 195 in St. James. Motorists should expect around-the-clock lane closures from U.S. Route 63 to Missouri Route 68, with an 11-foot width restriction in place. This project is set for completion in late fall 2024. MoDOT reminds drivers to be cautious in work zones. All work is weather permitting, and schedules may change.

SMH Family Medicine has announced the clinic will end its Saturday clinic services effective August 31. According to a press release from the hospital, the decision aims to reallocate resources and ensure that the highest quality of care is delivered during regular weekday hours. In addition, Terry Bruno, a long-serving and valued provider at SMH will be departing the clinic on September 13. The SMH Family Medicine Clinic acknowledged that these changes might cause some inconvenience but emphasized its ongoing commitment to providing exceptional healthcare.