The Dent County Commission met for its regular weekly meetings Thursday, March 27 and Monday, March 31. In attendance included presiding commissioner Gary Larson, first district commissioner Keith Green, second district commissioner Jimmy Williams, and county clerk Angie Curley. Beverly Irons visited on behalf of Judge Megan Seay.
Shannon VanKirk, county collector, shared with the commissioners that the Senate Bill 190, Homestead Tax Relief applications will be available for pick-up from the county collector’s office at the Courthouse April 1 (today). The application will also be available for print at the Dent County portal. The application period will be from April 1 to June 30. It will not have to go to a notary, informed VanKirk, but will just need to be signed in front of county personnel as a witness. In order to be eligible this year, you must be 62 before Jan. 1, 2025. You also must be current on taxes.
Larson reported he went to St. James on Tuesday, March 25 to a Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) meeting, where two grants were awarded. Conversation at the meeting surrounded the Phelps County Disaster Relief fund. All the board vacancies are filled after Ray Walden was appointed to the committee.
Irons attended the meeting to request an update on progress toward ADA compliance at the courthouse. Larson shared that a vendor had a possible ADA-compliant chairlift to pursue for install. Commissioners will be consulting with the Dent County building inspector to check for compliance with specifications on the staircase.
Great Rivers Engineering (GRE) staff Byan Boyce and Jeff Banderet to inform commissioners of an opportunity through GRE for CDL License training. Banderet shared that reusing poles from the city is not possible. Banderet asked if the commissioners would like the new light poles to match the city’s Downtown Project, to which commissioners responded in the affirmative. Banderet will be conducting more investigation into the lighting and how many poles will be needed, while the commissioners hope to make contact with Steve Paine, public works director, to discuss the project further. Boyce invited the commissioners to attend a conference in St. Charles.
Curley reported that bills were approved.
• No excuse absentee voting for the April 8 municipal election continues through April 7.
• The courthouse will be open Saturday, April 5, from 8 a.m. to noon for absentee voting. Public testing of voting equipment will be completed 9 a.m. April 1.
• 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 out grading county roads 5650, 4080, and 6350. Crew members will be assisting district two with hauling rock to County Road 2500.
Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams
Crew members will be grading county roads 3200, 3180, 2500, and 4380. Crew members will be hauling rock on County Road 2500, with the assistance of district two. Grader blades on grader #40 will be changed.
First District Commissioner Keith Green
Crew members will be out grading county roads 5610, 4080, and 2480. They will also be hauling rock to County Road 4080.
Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams
Crew members will be out grading county roads 2540, 3185, and 3190. Crew members will be investigating an issue reported on County Road 3260.
