The Dent County Industrial Development Authority at its May 25 meeting increased its contribution to the salary of Salem’s economic development director by 29%, according to minutes from the closed session portion of the meeting.
IDA chairman Donald Dodd presented information comparing Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge’s salary with similar positions in the area. The information was supplied by the City of Salem.
Discussion indicated that nearly everyone felt that her salary was not commensurate with the excellent job she has done for the city and county, according to the minutes.
Member Sherman Odom noted that Burbridge’s performance and accomplishments were well known throughout South Central Missouri, and that she has received more lucrative offers from other municipalities.
The IDA unanimously approved a motion to raise the quarterly contribution from the IDA toward Burbridge’s salary from $1,250 to $1,750, effective with the next quarterly payment.
Members include Dodd, Odom, Chris Holiday, Dean Jones, Lori Plank, Jeff Sellers, Jack Todd, Camron Erway and Bob Parsons. IDA Advisor Ed Pratt was absent due to an ill family member. Jenna Deason was also absent.
Also attending were Burbridge, presiding commissioner Darrell Skiles, first district commissioner Wes Mobray and second district commissioner Gary Larson.
During open session Burbridge updated the board on the certified site at the Masters Industrial Park. She said cleanup is in its final stage and will be complete any day. The next step is grading and seeding, which may be postponed until fall when the weather is more favorable to successful grass establishment.
Burbridge also reported the FHLB project, originally the Welcome Home Project, is now officially the Welcome Home Housing Rehabilitation Grant, which provides for 25 homes that will be rehabilitated four at a time. Each round must include a veteran- and a low-income owned home.
Relative to a Royal Oak request for city water, Burbridge said it had been determined that it would be cheaper to dig a well and build the tower than running water lines to Royal Oak. Royal Oak also needed water by Sept. 1, so the company is building it themselves.
She also updated the board on the demolition program and said that there were one foundation and two homes in the program now and they were waiting for one more before letting bids.
Burbridge reported that she had made a presentation to the Salem R-80 School Board about the possibility of a loan from Community Foundation of the Ozarks to finance the Building Trades building and that the board tabled the issue until their budget workshop. She noted that in order to get an extension on the grant, progress on planning, design, construction plans, cost figures, etc. must be shown.
Odom reported that the AT&T tower on his property has run into a glitch relative to a possible Indian Tribal Trail, so the tower will have to be moved 150 feet.
