The Dent County Commission met for its regular meetings Thursday, Oct. 24, and Monday, Oct. 28. In attendance Thursday was presiding commissioner Gary Larson, first district commissioner Wes Mobray, and county clerk Angie Curley. In attendance Monday was Mobray, Curley, and second district commissioner Gary Polk. Mobray was appointed acting presiding commissioner in the absence of Larson.
Curley reported that no excuse absentee voting continues at the courthouse and has so far had a record turnout, with a total of 1,030 votes cast as of Friday, Oct. 25. According to other county clerks she has contacted, they are also experiencing record turnouts. She announced that the courthouse has received approximately 150 ballots a day since no excuse voting began this past Tuesday. In 2020, Curley shared that there were 1,500 absentee ballots cast. She predicts that by the last day of absentee voting, the ballots cast this year will be well over the 1,500 cast in 2020.
No excuse absentee voting continues through Monday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The courthouse will be open for voting Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to noon. Voting for the general election next Tuesday will be from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at each citizen’s polling locations.
Meanwhile, Bob Wells, Sheriff, and Courtney Wagmen with L.J. Hart and Co. attended the meeting on Thursday to speak on remaining construction jail funds from the sale of the 2019 Lease Certificates of Participation. The commission must decide the best use of the funds—the balance of which is $1,339,503.47.
Wagmen discussed moving the funds from the construction fund to the lease certificate fund, so all payments come out of the lease certificates. Wagmen further discussed the loans, determining the commission is not in a position to refinance. Wagmen also discussed the domestic utility sales tax that’s not being applied. If the commission wished to apply it, it would take a vote. The commission voted to approve applying the domestic utility sales tax, 2-0. Following discussion, the commission agreed 2-0 to move the funds from the construction fund to the lease certificates.
Mobray reported that the annual dinner for MRPC in Linn went will with plenty of awards.
Larson also attended a tourism meeting on Monday, Oct. 21. There were two applications. One was denied and the other had its funds requested cut back from $1,539 to $754. There were four reimbursements approved. One request was tabled for more information.
Larson gave notice that he received a grant alert from the Department of Public Safety for a state and local cyber security grant program for local governments. The grant application period has begun and is open Friday, Oct. 18 and closes Wednesday, Dec. 4.
County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the CART funds received for the month: $88,956.90 has been received. The county is up YTD from last year 17%.
Rick Emory, citizen, came in to request his culvert to be fixed. Mobray stated he would look into it.
District One Commissioner Wes Mobray
Crew members will be cutting brush on county roads 4245, 5140, 5190, 6350, 6320, and 6480.
District Two Commissioner Gary Polk (reported by Mobray)
Crew members will be replacing the coolant tank on truck #124 and patching chip and seal on county roads 2300 and 2240. Crew members will also be relocating fill dirt with the loader at the shop.
District One Commissioner Wes Mobray
Hauling rock will be completed on county roads 5600 and 5615, as well as installing culverts. One crew member will be going to Springfield for chip and seal oil.
District Two Commissioner Gary Polk
Cutting brush will be completed on county roads 5260 and 2370. On County Road 4480, crew members will be cleaning up gravel and concrete. On County Road 2110, crew members will be completing bridge repair.
