Dent County Commission met for its regularly scheduled meetings May 5 and May 13.
Wes Mobray reported the issue of semis taking the roads is persisting—with a recent report of a semi getting stuck in the front yard of a citizen’s house on JJ Hwy., requiring a tow-truck to assist.
Mobray shared that the commissioners contacted Machelle Watkins, district engineer with MoDOT, regarding issues around the county, including approaches overdue for maintenance.
Watkins stated crews will be repaving Hwy. 19 in 2028, but they will not be resurfacing any county road approaches.
“She said from the roadside park out on 19, to the S-curve, the city owns,” said Mobray.
Mobray stated he would be reaching out to city administrator Sally Burbridge for further clarification on ownership of Hwy. 19.
Regarding the issue of semis taking county roads to get to Royal Oak, Mobray reported Preston Kramer stated MoDOT can’t put signs up at the beginning of county roads to prevent semis from taking them. Watkins clarified this is because MoDOT would then need to place them on all county and city streets.
Meanwhile, Watkins suggested to commissioners that citizens can call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT, and crews will come fix reported potholes.
Mobray stated commissioners will continue investigating and attempting to resolve the issue.
Gary Larson, presiding commissioner, stated there’s been some discussion on social media regarding the commissioners being wary of SB190. Collector Shannon Vankirk made an appearance to help shed some light on the issue.
One reason why there has been a delay in accepting the bill is due to unclear language regarding how it would be processed. After returning to legislation, it should be passed May 15. With the language being re-modified, there is hope to adopt SB190 soon for the county, said Vankirk.
County collectors will be attending a workshop in Columbia soon regarding the bill and application process. Vankirk stated that a software program is necessary for the bill—which will cost taxpayers $20,000 to be implemented.
Vankirk stated that many believe the bill will be an elimination of taxes—she urged that it would absolutely not be. Property taxes will be frozen at a certain dollar amount for those eligible, but that dollar amount will still have to be paid, clarified Vankirk.
“We are absolutely not against helping the elderly, like it was discussed on social media,” said Vankirk.
The biggest issue commissioners had in adopting SB190 was the unclear language, which could potentially lead to lawsuits.
“That is our biggest problem that we're having right now,” said Vankirk. “We can see lawsuits happening across the state and some counties, and we are trying to make that not happen in our county, because that's going to affect taxpayers. So, we are trying to be very careful and do the right thing. It will be adopted, it will be taken care of, and it will help people receiving social security.”
“We haven’t put this off because we didn’t want to do it,” Larson stated further on the subject. “We were waiting, like she said, for the language to be straightened out—regardless of what our former presiding commissioner puts on Facebook.”
Vankirk stated that citizens confused about the bill who have questions or need more information are free to visit her Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. She also invites citizens to call her office at 573-729-3911.
Commissioners discussed the rural addressing agreement previously made with Healthy Dent County. They expressed appreciation of the work Healthy Dent County has done but discussed the financial savings to the county, the convenience, and opportunity to serve the public.
The commission decided it would be beneficial to offer citizens access to rural addressing at the courthouse in the assessor’s office, since Jamie Homeyer has the staff and citizens already visit regarding real estate and addressing.
Per agreement, a six-month notice must be given, and the commission agreed 3-0 to discontinue the agreement. During this transition, a timeline will be discussed to make sure services are still being provided to the citizens.
Jason Green, a representative of Pioneer Forest, came to discuss a grant with the commissioners. Pioneer Forest is the largest private landowner in Missouri, with land in six counties, including Dent County, said Green.
Pioneer Forest is looking at pursuing a Forest Legacy Grant, through the U.S. Forest Service. The grant uses funds from oil and gas leases on federal lands to fund their project, which allows Pioneer Forest to put a conservation easement on acres of Pioneer Forest to protect those lands in perpetuity. The grant will allow Pioneer Forest to continue its timber management operation, which provides countless jobs in rural communities, along with its ecological management.
The grant, however, does put some restrictions on those acres—Pioneer Forest can’t subdivide the property or change it from forest land to non-forest land.
Green reassured the commission that the forest will still allow public access—people will still be able to utilize the property, and that will not change as a result of receiving the grant.
If Pioneer Forest is selected to receive the grant, it will receive substantial funding.
During its meeting on May 6, the commissioners agreed 2-1—with Wes and Polk voting yes and Larson voting no—to purchase a 2024 11-foot Road Groom for $23,106 for the road department from Road Groom Manufacturing, Iowa.
Melissa Piatt, Deputy County Clerk, reminded commissioners of bills to be approved, and that she would be working on signature verifications for five different initiative petitions sent to the Secretary of State.
Jen Traci returned to follow-up on a question from Polk on Crawford County’s recently passed marijuana use tax. She stated that Crawford County’s first dispensary only just now opened, so numbers and estimates regarding the effects of the marijuana use tax are not yet known.
Larson reports that he met with insurance adjuster Moses Lee regarding storm damage to the courthouse, new jail, and judicial building. Larson is still waiting on a detailed report.
Larson also reported that he has moved up to president of the Solid Waste Committee. He will be reporting today (May 14) to St. James by 9:30 a.m. to review bids for MRPC for the administrative contract.
Collector Shannon Vankirk reported the monthly turnover of $127,201.56.
Treasurer Denita Williams reported on sales tax revenue.
General revenue and law enforcement sales tax received was $88,840.71. Last May, general revenue and law enforcement sales tax received was $81,669.49. It is up YTD $10,781.50.
Jail sales tax received was $84,247.43. Last May, the jail received was $74,233.79. Up YTD $8,857.69.
For road and bridge, sales tax received was $41,912.63. Last May, road and bridge received was $36,906.25. Up YTD $3,833.20.
Road Reports, May 5
Both Mobray and Polk reported that crews were off for Truman’s birthday, May 8, but were allowed to work due to inclement weather reports. Crews took off May 9 instead. No road damage or downed trees were reported, however, shared Mobray.
Road Reports, May 13
District One Commissioner Wes Mobray
Mobray reported that due to the rain, grading would not be done. Crews will be cutting brush on County Road 6435. Crews will be putting up signs in different locations across the county. Crews will also be working on tree cleanups—Mobray reported at least three down.
District Two Commissioner Gary Polk
Polk reported that crews will be grading county roads 2313, 4405, and5260. Crews will be repairing a ditch with storm damage on County Road 3260. Crews will also be cutting brush on County Road 4040 and hauling rock on county roads 5260, 4405, and 3260.
