News – Monday, January 26th 2026

The Dent County Commissioners have closed all offices at the Dent County Courthouse, Judicial Building and Annex due to the snow, but the commissioners are going to meet at 10:00 this morning in their office at the courthouse for the 2026 county budget hearing which is open to the public. All access to the courthouse will close after the hearing is adjourned. Also, Judge Michael Randazzo has closed all courts in all the counties served by the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court.

The cold from Winter Storm “Fern” remains which has brought us single-digit temperatures and wind chills well below zero this week, causing very high electric demand across the country. If the City of Salem sets a new Peak Demand for total electric use this morning from 6:00 to 11:00, the city will pay higher electricity costs for the next 12 months. Potentially impacting electric rates for in the future. The city would appreciate your help by safely conserving electricity by lowering your thermostat a few degrees if safe, turn off lights and electronics you are not using, and delay doing laundry, dishwashers, and other large appliances to off peak hours. Everything little thing you do to hold down your electric usage helps protect our electric system and control future costs.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees met Thursday evening, January 15th at 5:00. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report for the month of December. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated there were 5 cases of COVID-19 reported, while the active lead cases were reported at 70, plus 4 communicable disease cases. There were 22 Influenza A cases, 3 animal bites were reported, and there were 19 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, resulting in 70 total tests. The December environmental report showed there where 24 total inspections or re-inspections conducted. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there were 11 car seats distributed, there was  one Show-Me Healthy Women appointment, no CPR Courses, no consultation for Childcare Health, and there were 14 Title X appointments reported. There were two Presumptive Eligibility (Temporary Medicaid), while there were 330 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 568 total appointments other than WIC, 154 total provider appointments, 206 treatment court visits, 152 lab appointments and 56 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed one Show-Me Healthy Women appointment, 9 family plannings, 3 well-child visit, no other well-woman exam, 5 other physicals, 10 SEMO physicals, plus 34 other visits, and 93 acute illness appointments for a total of 154 visits. Laboratory details showed 155 Lab Draws, 8 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 6 pregnancy tests, 6 lead tests were reported, plus 12 other urine drug screenings. Phlebotomy appointments totaled 123, while all Lab appointments totaling 152. Immunizations for December showed 19 for COVID-19 and 37 for Influenza, plus 19 other vaccines given during 56 appointments. In the Administrator’s report, Moser announced the first Gala date is set for April 24th. He said that during December a number of back payments from the state were received, but that DCHC still came in under the threshold for a Federal Single Audit. Jessica Ricks provided a detailed written report regarding the activities of the Population Health Department. Moser reported that due to the loss of the CareCab driver those services are on hold until a new driver can be hired. He said that the cases of Flu are increasing with some reporting the highest number since 2019. The financial reports for December were reviewed. Current assets at the end of November were $1,263,492.87. Total assets were $2,106,002.85, total liabilities were $362,004.21, and equity was $1,721,062.36. Revenue for December was $251,501.32; expenses were $105,590.54 for a net operating revenue of $126,213.88. After other revenue and expenses, net revenue was $123,024.60. The report from H&R Block was also reviewed. After discussion the financial report was approved. The proposed bylaw changes were reviewed and approved by the board. Resolution 2026-001 regarding Policy-Procedure Governance adoption was reviewed and approved. The new Policy Manual was reviewed, discussed, modified, and approved with changes. During new business Zach presented a Cybersecurity grant that DCHC had been approved for over a year after applying for it. The context around the grant plan had changed since the application was submitted and it was not in the budget. Motion was made, seconded and passed to accept the grant and modify the budget accordingly after Zach determines that the grant still meets DCHC operational needs. The Board entered closed session at 6:20 to discuss personnel. At 6:41 the Board returned from closed session having discussed personnel and taking no votes. Prior to adjournment the next regular meeting date was set for Thursday, February 19th, 2025, with the hearing for the Environmental Fees starting first at 5:00. The hearing was moved to February because the public was not adequately notified by the January meeting.