Dent County Commission met for its regularly scheduled meetings May 16 and May 20. No meeting will be held May 27, due to Memorial Day.
Grant Wilson, field representative for Jason Smith, made a visit to the commissioners to provide updates on the Ways and Means Committee, and what they’ve been doing under Chairman Smith’s leadership.
Last week, the committee approved six bills that deal with medical services for underserved and rural communities, reported Wilson. They are waiting to be heard on the House floor.
• H.R. 8261: The Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act expands telehealth services for those living a great distance from hospitals and need communication with health providers.
• H.R. 7931: The Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites (PEAKS) Act permanently expands Medicare emergency ambulance coverage for mountainous communities.
• H.R. 8245: The Rural Hospital Stabilization Act establishes grants to help rural hospitals stabilize their finances and remain open to serve patients.
• H.R. 8244: The Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act provides more training opportunities for Americans working to become Critical Nursing Aides (CNAs).
• H.R. 8235: The Rural Physician Workforce Preservation Act allows more medical students to complete their graduate medical education (residency) in rural hospitals.
• H.R. 8246: The Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act brings back critical emergency and outpatient care to rural communities who had their local hospitals close down by converting to the new federal Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation.
More information on these bills can be found at https://www.congress.gov/ by searching the individual bill numbers, or at the Ways and Means Committee website at https://waysandmeans.house.gov/ways-and-means-protects-and-expands-telehealth-access-health-care-in-rural-and-underserved-communities/.
“Every bill that the Congressman has brought forth from his committee that has made it to the House floor has received overwhelming bipartisan support,” advocated Wilson.
District one commissioner Wes Mobray relayed that a constituent approached him recently stating that the county tore out his culvert in 1993. As such, he believes it is the county’s responsibility to put a new culvert back in his driveway.
If the constituent purchases a culvert, Mobray stated the county will put it in for him. If he were to purchase the culvert, the county would pick it up, take it out, and install it. The purchasing of the culvert is not, however, something the county can do.
“We do not buy private culverts,” stated Mobray.
If one were purchased, it could lead to a landslide of issues for the county, with many others requesting the county purchase culverts for them, as well.
“We agree, that’s policy,” said district two commissioner Gary Polk. “We do not buy private culverts.”
Presiding commissioner Gary Larson agreed with both commissioners.
Meanwhile, candidate Lancer Blair shared that he’s gone out to Crawford County to We The People and received a good response. He’s also been down to Shannon County for their commission meetings to see if problems are universal.
Presiding commissioner Gary Larson announced he was officially made the president of the Ozark River Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD). He will begin his position in full in July.
Larson stated that there will be a collection day of recycling at the Brewer Science, Inc. parking lot at 2401 Brewer Drive, Rolla on June 8 from 8 a.m. to noon. Electronics, appliances, tires, and media storage are accepted.
Larson reported they have received a report on damages to the courthouse, following the hailstorm. It is still in review, and commissioners have more questions on the specifics to be answered.
Commissioners will be reviewing a bid for the handrailing in front of the courthouse for $5,400.
Larson also reported the Dent County Tourism Commission will be meeting at 5 p.m. at the chamber of commerce.
Deputy clerk Crystal Pilkington reminded commissioners bills are to be approved and paid. At the meeting of May 20, deputy clerk Melissa Piatt reported bills are to be approved and paid, along with payroll.
Road Reports, May 16
District One Commissioner Wes Mobray
Due to the rain, crews will be checking culverts, pipes, and roads.
District Two Commissioner Gary Polk
Crews will be cutting brush on County Road 4290. Crews will be doing maintenance on truck number 116, replacing a clutch fan hub. Dump truck number 122 will be serviced. Culverts will be checked for blockage.
Road Reports, May 20
District One Commissioner Wes Mobray
Crews will be grading county roads 6633 and 5400 and cutting brush on County Road 6570.
District Two Commissioner Gary Polk
Crews will be grading and hauling rock on County Road 3195 and hauling asphalt to County Road 3210. Crews will be doing some patching.
