The Dent County Commission met for its weekly meetings Thursday, March 6, and Monday, March 10. In attendance included presiding commissioner Gary Larson, district one commissioner Keith Green, district two commissioner Jimmy Williams, and county clerk Angie Curley. Commissioners discussed with Great River Engineering’s Jeff Banderet progress update on the TAP Grant for the sidewalk project.
Banderet discussed the TAP Grant for the sidewalks around the courthouse, relaying the project is still estimated at $441,000. MoDOT’s portion is $316,000—leaving the remaining approximately $125,000 to the county.
The project is to include new sidewalks around the entire courthouse property and sidewalks from the four corners of the square. The preliminary plans and estimate have been completed. There will be an ADA accessible path from the southwest corner of the square.
GRE and the commission discussed matching the city of Salem’s stamped bricks and concrete—but it would be more expensive. They further discussed the use of stamped colored concrete buffers, without the brick pavers, to stay within the original budget, with the commission agreeing.
GRE further discussed adding more ADA-compliant parking spots, as there are currently only two. The county would be responsible for signing and painting the ADA parking spaces. There will be retaining walls where needed, a dumpster pad, and the removal of brick trash cans before the project begins. GRE will meet with the city of Salem to discuss relocating utility poles, prior to the project.
Banderet also discussed the FLAP Project 077 on County Road 6670, located behind Montauk State Park. The preliminary plans and estimate are $720,000, funded entirely by a federal grant. GRE is confident that this funding is secure, although all new federal grant funds are currently on hold by the Trump administration.
GRE is continuing to work on environmental clearances, roadway acquisition, and finalizing permits. The anticipated completion date is Dec. 1, 2025.
Shannon VanKirk, county collector, turned over her collections amounting to $615,070.86.
Williams signed the CART program agreement for 2025. This is a cost-share program for maintenance rock on county-owned public roadways serving Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) areas.
Denita Williams, county treasurer, shared Sales Tax reports:
• General revenue: $90,216.64; down from last March, $175.53, but up YTD, $470.34.
• Road and bridge: $44,976.84; down from last March, $6,328.61, but up YTD, $6,996.96.
• Jails: $90,367.52; up from last March, $12,778.98, and up YTD, $14,115.54.
Williams shared that typically the amount for general revenue comes in higher than the jails. She will be further investigating and reporting back.
Larson relayed that the tourism committee recently met for its meeting and heard one request, which was tabled, while four reimbursements were approved. Larson further reported that there was an emergency burn ban signed into effect over the weekend, per the DCFPD. The commissioners will be having a meeting with FEMA Tuesday, March 11 (today) to discuss flood reimbursements. They will also be attending a South Central County Commission Association meeting 10 a.m. Friday, March 14.
Curley reported payroll is to be approved.
During the county commission meeting on March 3, the bid from Viebrock Sales for culverts for the road department was approved, 3-0. Bid for grader blades from Woolf Equipment for the road department was approved, 3-0.
• The last day to register to vote is March 12 (tomorrow).
• Absentee voting for the April 8 municipal election continues. If any of the following excuses apply to you, you are eligible to vote early: absence on election day; incapacity or confinement; employment in elections, first response, healthcare, or law enforcement; religious belief; participation in the Safe at Home Program; or incarceration while retaining the right to vote.
• No excuse absentee voting begins March 25.
• If you would like a sample ballot, email the County Clerk’s office at dent@sos.mo.gov or request one at the office at 400 North Main Street.
• For any questions, call the county clerk’s office at 400 North Main Street at 573-729-4144. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Only the following districts are holding an election: City of Salem; Dent County Fire Protection District; Rolla Fire Protection District; Rolla School District; Bunker School District; and Iron County School District.
First District Commissioner Keith Green
Crew members will be screening sand, brush cutting, replacing pipes, and road maintenance throughout the district.
Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams
Crew members will be grading County Road 4290; cutting brush on County Road 4300; hauling rock on county roads 4290, 2340, and 2330; and patching county roads 2340, 2330, and 6160. A couple of trees were down on County Road 5320 that crew members will be attending to.
First District Commissioner Keith Green
Crew members will be grading county roads 6630, 6633, 5520, and 5015; hauling rock on county roads 5015 and 5520, where needed; and completing maintenance on the brush cutter.
Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams
Crew members will be grading county roads 2330, 4060, 2380, and 5240; cutting brush on County Road 4280; hauling rock on County Road 5240; and replacing a crossover pipe on County Road 5240.
