The Dent County Commission will not be providing $4,000 for the Fourth of July fireworks show at the Dent County Commons requested by the City of Salem earlier this year.
“I don’t think we have any interest in using taxpayer funds for the fireworks show,” Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said at the Thursday commission meeting.
Salem City Administrator Ray Walden visited the commission March 24 and provided a letter asking for the funds. The letter explained the 2015 fireworks show cost the city $16,000, and asked the county to consider sharing the cost for this year’s show. The firework’s expense was one of the items slashed in the aldermen’s latest round of budget cuts. The city budgeted a total of $8,000 for this year’s fireworks show.
The city’s letter specifically asks the county and tourism tax commission each to consider providing $4,000.
When contacted by The Salem News Friday Walden indicated the tourism tax commission has agreed to help fund the show, creating a figure of $12,000 for fireworks.
At the March 24 meeting, the commissioners advocated the creation of an account by which private dollars could be collected to cover the cost of the fireworks. That account was subsequently created by the Dent County Community Fund. Walden said Friday $750 has thus far been raised, but those funds would likely be put toward next year’s show.
At the Thursday commission meeting, the commissioners also reiterated their earlier offer to help collect donations for the fireworks at this year’s event. They’d earlier recommended money be raised by volunteers stationed at The Commons’ entrance and exit gates with buckets.
“Our offer is still good to help them collect funds,” Skiles said. “If somebody wants to organize something I’d be more than happy to help.”
• Skiles congratulated Alexandria Blackwell Monday for appointment as the new director of the Central Region Workforce Investment Board. Skiles also said he would be attending a meeting at Salem Community Center @ the Armory later in the day concerning the county’s website. Thursday, Skiles reported waste reduction grants from the Ozarks Solid Waste Management District are due at noon Aug. 19. A grant workshop will be held 10 a.m. to noon July 26 at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission in St. James.
• First District Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported Monday that road crews removed a fallen tree over county road 5015. Grading will be taking place this week on county roads 5600 and 6470. Brush cutting will also be taking place on road 5600. Three trucks are hauling granite chips in preparation for a July chip and seal project. Purcell said the county would save $29,000 by hauling the chips themselves instead of contracting the work.
• Second District Commissioner Gary Larson reported Monday that road crews would be inspecting roadways to see if grading would be feasible after the weekend’s downpour. Brush cutting will be taking place on county roads 3260, 3280 and 3220. Road crew members will also help haul granite, and one worker is going to Springfield to pick up road oil. Larson also said he and Purcell attended Intercounty Electric’s annual meeting in Licking.
• Clerk Angie Curley reported Thursday the last day to register for the Aug. 2 primary election is July 6. Absentee voting and sample ballots are also now available at the Clerk’s Office for the Aug. 2 primary.
• Treasurer Denita Williams reported Monday the county has received $136,490 in PILT funds from the Department of the Interior, $1,976 more than last year. Williams also said the county received $58,116 in CART funds this month. Year-to-date the county is up $907 in CART funds received over last year.
• The commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve a railroad right-of-way quit claim deed for the Charles and Barbara Hayes property.
