News – Wednesday, February 5th 2024

Due to illness Oak Hill R-1 Schools will be closed February 5th through 7th. Classes are scheduled to resume on Monday February 10th.

The Dent County Commissioners held conference calls Monday morning with Courtney Wegman of LJ Hart and Company and MAC Attorney Travis Elliot. During the call at 11:00 with Wegman the commissioners were joined by Bev Irons, Secretary to Judge Seay and Sheriff Bob Wells. The commission reviewed the written demand from Circuit Court Judge Megan Seay regarding the installation of a courthouse elevator. Wagmen provided insight into the ballot language of the two sales taxes approved for jail construction and funding. She noted that using these funds for a chair lift or elevator in the courthouse would be a stretch. However, the county could allocate the funds toward constructing a new courtroom in the jail facility, which would fully comply with ADA requirements. Wagmen also addressed financial matters, including the transfer of $1.1 million from UMB Bank to the certificate fund for jail payments in 2024. Due to IRS restrictions on earned interest, this transfer was necessary. The commissioners agreed to move the funds for 2024. The 2025 jail payment will be $994,807.50, depleting the certificate fund. Beginning in 2026, payments will be drawn from the County Jail Construction Fund, which generates a little over $1 million annually in sales tax revenue. Looking ahead Wegman requested a rough estimate for constructing a new courtroom to assess funding options, including direct payment for the jail construction fund or financing alternatives. She noted that the sales tax funding jail construction is set for 20 years and will expire in 2038. Judge Randazzo joined the discussion and highlighted the lack of planning in older courthouse designs. Sheriff Wells was concerned that chair lifts might not meet ADA compliance standards. Randazzo agreed that funds should not be wasted on non-compliant attempts and emphasized the need for proper permitting and engineering for any courthouse elevator project. The commissioners thanked Courtney Wegman, participants in the discussion and agreed to continue working on the issue. The commissioners were joined by Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk during the conference call with MAC Attorney Travis Elliot about SB190 ordinance and its application process. Elliot recommended freezing applications for 2024 and applying credits in 2025 due to reassessment. He clarified that homestead eligibility follows the Circuit Tax Breaker definition, covering homes on up to five acres. He also noted that tax credits do not apply to new construction, improvements, the Blind Pension Fund, or passed bonds. The commissioners will continue to refine the application process.

A project is in the planning stage to rehabilitate the U.S. Route 63 Little Piney Creek Bridge in Phelps County. The bridge deck has deteriorated to the point of needing replacement, but the supporting structures are in good condition. The current plan involves temporary traffic signals keeping the bridge open but narrowing it to one lane with a 10 foot lane. Learn more about the $1.3 million bridge project on the website: https://www.modot.org/us-route-63-bridge-rehabilitation-phelps. While there, sign up for project updates. MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones. Motorists are advised to use extra caution through work zones, obey all traffic signs, and avoid any distractions. For traffic updates or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit our Traveler Information Map. Information is also available 24/7 via social media. Follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on social media.