The Dent County Commissioners met for their weekly meetings Monday, Oct. 27, and Thursday, Oct. 23. In attendance Thursday included Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson, First District Commissioner Keith Green, Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams, and County Clerk Angie Curley. In attendance Monday were Green, Williams, and Deputy County Clerk Melissa Piatt.
Larson attended a Tourism Meeting last Monday with one reimbursement approved. He shared that there are plenty of funds to be disbursed but there have not been many applicants. Suggestions during the meeting included approaching the Salem Chamber of Commerce to see if staff may be interested in renting a billboard along Interstate 44 to help encourage tourism to Salem.
In addition, Larson expressed his appreciation toward Sherry Lee, executive director of Healthy Dent County, for working on hosting the MRPC Annual Banquet at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. He reported there were over 200 signed up to attend the event Thursday, Oct. 23. Under public comments Monday, Stan Podorski of KSMO shared that the banquet went very well.
Treasurer Denita Williams reported the CART Tax received for Road and Bridge. Road and Bridge received $97,509.94. This is up from last October $8,553.04 and up YTD $62,121.27, or a 7.7% increase.
Curley, meanwhile, was able to provide education to Salem High School students during the annual voter registration drive, as well as during the Life Skills class taught by Kim Thompson. She was able to answer questions and provide important dates for 2026.
Curley also shared that she’ll be providing homeschool students, as well as another Salem High School class, with a courthouse tour in November, where she’ll be describing the functions of each of the offices.
Commissioners reminded that two dump trucks and road groomer are available for sale by the road department on Purple Wave with the closing date of bids Nov. 4
• Curley and Larson were on vacation Monday
• A resident discussed county roads 2590 and 2600 with the commissioners, who shared crew members were in the area
• Piatt reported Monday that bills were to be paid
District One Commissioner Keith Green
Crew members will be cutting brush on county roads 5520 and 5530. County roads will be checked after the rain. Maintenance will be completed on equipment.
District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams
Crew members are replacing tires on grader #37 and performing maintenance on truck #82. Crew members will also be grading the White Trace Area roads. County Road 2070, announced Williams, is closed to traffic due to replacement of the low water bridge.
District One Commissioner Keith Green
Crew members will be patching on county roads 6240 and 6510. Cutting brush will be completed on County Road 5520. Grading is planned for county roads 6350, 6310, 6210, and 5140.
District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams
Grading is planned for county roads 2380, 2320, 3020, 3030, and 2560. Hauling rock will be completed on County Road 2380 and cutting brush on County Road 2130. A tree was removed from County Road 3220.
Further, Williams reported that he had received several messages from folks in the county who were appreciative of the work being done to maintain their roads. Larson also shared that he had received positive comments from appreciative residents.
