The Dent County Commission met for its regular meetings Thursday, Aug. 21, and Monday, Aug. 25, in which city and county officials discussed the upcoming courthouse project. In attendance included Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson, District One Commissioner Keith Green, District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams, and County Clerk Angie Curley.
Curley reported she will be attending the annual county clerk’s conference in Kansas City in September. Clerks are asked to bring a gift basket of items from businesses in their counties to represent their respective counties. If business owners would like to donate a Dent County item, Curley would love to bring it with her to Kansas City. Reach out to the County Clerk’s office at 573-729-4144 within the next couple of weeks, if interested in participating.
Jim Dotson, county electrician; Jeff Banderet, Great Rivers Engineering (GRE); Steve Paine, public works director; Donnie Moore, electric general manager; and Sally Burbridge, city administrator attended the meeting to discuss fiscal responsibility regarding the light poles and electric to be completed on the courthouse sidewalk project.
According to Larson, officials with MRPC encouraged the county to complete the TAP project as soon as possible, as the next time there is an application, Dent County will be less prioritized.
Larson contested that the light poles were owned by the city, with the city paying the bill for the electric—however, Burbridge contested that this is a county project, so paying for the replacements was on the county. Upgrades are not a necessity unless the light poles are damaged, so the city is not liable for the costs.
The last time the courthouse project was discussed with the city, said Burbridge, it was mutually agreed that up to $25,000 would be put toward the project by the city. This amount was budgeted within the current fiscal year for the city.
The commission unanimously approved for GRE to solicit bids for electrical wires to be undergrounded and six light poles for the courthouse project.
Banderet shared that after receiving final approval from MoDOT for the project, he will conduct a pre-construction meeting with the commission.
Also reported included the following:
• Catherine Wynn, new executive director of Salem Chamber of Commerce, attended the meeting to formally introduce herself to the Dent County Commission.
• Larson reported that he attended a Tourism meeting Tuesday night with two requests approved and 11 reimbursements approved.
• Denita Williams, treasurer, reported on CART funds with $85,661.40 reported for the month. It is up YTD 7.4%.
• Curley reported that bills and payroll were approved and reminded tax districts that tax rates were due on or before Friday, Aug. 29.
• Jack Todd, Victor Heating and Cooling discussed that the air conditioner in the judicial building is 20 years old and unrepairable. Todd provided a quote for replacing the unit at a total of $11,600, which the commission approved.
• The commission unanimously approved adding a section to the county policy regarding a supplemental health insurance policy for employees aged 65 and older
First District Commissioner Keith Green
Phone bids were taken on 7,000 gallons of red dye diesel fuel with the bids as follows: MFA, $2.45; Phil Mart, $2.55; and County Fuel, $2.49. MFA was awarded the bid.
Crew members will be grading on county roads 2470, 4160, 5020, and removing a culvert pipe on County Road 5510. Maintenance will be completed on the brush cutter.
Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams
Crew members will be grading on county roads 4437, 4480, and 4030. They will be restocking their stockpile at the shop and screening creek gravel.
First District Commissioner Keith Green
Crew members will be brush cutting on county road 5045, 5043,5050, 5060, and 5040; grading on County Road 2460; hauling rock to County Road 5510; and replacing a crossover pipe and installing a driveway pipe.
Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams
Crew members will be grading on county roads 5330, 5333, 4055, and 4050; hauling rock to county roads 4050 and 4055; brush cutting on County Road 2080; and opening pipes on County Road 3180.
