Stoddard County Commission meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer over the county by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.

Old Business

SB40 Board - Peter Coutavas was the only person to submit a request to serve on the SB40 Board.   

Motion to appoint Peter Coutavas to the SB40 Board made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Janitorial Position at the Government Building - Letters of interests and resumes have been coming in.  Deadline was at 10 a.m.  Tuesday, October 15th to submit your requests for the position.  The Commissioner did not look at any of the letters of interests and resumes, but have. decided to put that off to the next meeting.

There was no discussion on the Generator being moved to the Justice Center.

New Business

Zach Secoy, an insurance broker, came in to discuss Property Insurance with the Commission.  He represents Arnold Insurance and Rinehart Insurance.

Arnold Insurance Agency, an independent insurance agency of Keystone, is pleased to submit a copy of a proposal for Cape Girardeau County for the Commissioners to review.

“You all only have a few companies that are willing to take a shot at providing insurance,”  stated Secoy.  “There are about five insurance companies that can insure a municipality like yours because of the jail.” 

“We looked at two options, one was to look for a broker or look for insurance agency for pricing.  We are looking for pricing at this point,” stated Commissioner Mathis.

(Sidenote: the Commission voted to place a bid for "Property Insurance including buildings, personal property, and liability coverage. "). THE COMMISSION DID NOT PUT OUT A BID SEEKING BROKERS AT THIS TIME.  Sealed bids must be submitted by 10:00 am on December 9, 2024.  

“Travelers can do a ton of different things like updating an employee handbook and safety trainings, etc," continued Secoy.  "Are you using those services to the best of your ability to drive down that premium?”   The answer is no, the County is not utilizing training or updating the employee handbook to the best of their ability.

“Best to be on the broker side of seeking a new broker that can offer you those services.” stated Secoy.

Their current broker has on numerous occasions offered training and to help update the handbook.  The previous commission (Danny Talkington and Steve Jordan) as well as the current commission have opted not to utilize those services as of yet.

Josh Speakman, Stoddard County Collector/Treasurer

"Just wanted to remind everyone that tax bills are coming out the first of November.  If they have an address change they need to contact us.  January is when the penalties start."

"Also we have received a lot of SB190 applications as well and are going thru them."

There was some discuss between Commission C.D. Stewart and Speakman about Roper Excavating and ditch clean-up in Advance.

Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County Clerk

He reminded everyone that beginning on October 22, 2024 No Excuse Absentee voting begins. The Clerk's office will be open until 6 p.m. October 22nd - 25th and October 28th - November 1.  then on November 2nd they will be open until 5 p.m.   Also the Clerk's office will b open on Saturday, November 2nd from 8 a.m. - Noon for voting purposes.

Other Business:

Mr. Mathis stated he will not be at next Monday's meeting on October 21st, but will be out of town.

Motion to approve the open session meeting minutes from October 7, 2024 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

The Stoddard County Commission had approved $40,000 to Dudley Special Road District from the ARPA funds.  $10,175.20 has been submitted for payment.  It was to purchase gravel.

Motion to pay $10,175.20 to the Dudley Special Road District from the ARPA funds made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion carried.

Mathis stated he received a text message request from Donnie Hovis, Jr. requesting a special meeting with the Commissioners. 

Motion to have a meeting in public session on Thursday, October 9 a.m. with Donnie Hovis made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to adjourn at 12:08 p.m made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Pictured is Zach Secoy passing out broker insurance information to Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.

The city of Dexter Board of Aldermen met in a regularly schedule meeting on Monday, October 7, 2024.  Four ordinances were passed and departmental reports were given.

City Auditor gave the financial report for August 2024.

Two public hearings to abandon alleyways (One was near Martin Grain and the other was near Williams Moving building on Business 60).  Both have never been used as alleyways.

Ordinances:   Supplemental Agreement between the City and Smith & Company for engineering services for the shared-use path, phase IV grant for the walking trail.  
        Authorized participation in the MO firefighter's critical illness trust & pool.
        Agreement with Waters Engineering for engineering on infrastructure improvements including drainage, water and wastewater improvements.
        Agreement with MO highways & transportation for a state block grant for airport runway rehab.

Police Dept report Update on MoDOT traffic grants, Community Bearcat Tailgate and Homecoming and Stoddard County Fair, officers attending training
Fire Dept report Update on Fire Prevention month, Fall Fest, mutual call to Sikeston and storm event
Street/Sant report Update on patching, drainage, and storm pickup
Park Dept report Update trees planted at east park, Halloween Happening
Water/WW report Employees out for training and testing 
City Engineer Update on UV project

Economic Development - Open house for Republic Services, Brewing Business, ribbon cutting, luncheon for Chamber 101, attending conferences this week and next, update on Calmaine & Wendy's

City Clerk Report - Disbursements for September 2024, October Safety Awareness, October 31st Halloween will be 6-10 pm

No Administrator reports

Mayor Report - Accepted sidewalk bids for sidewalk repairs, Marissa Mills appointed to the Dexter Tree Council.

Aldermanic Forum - Discussed dumpsters in residential areas, planning & zoning is working on this issue

The Cape Girardeau VA Health Care Center will host its third annual Fall Freedom Festival from 7:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 18.

Previous festivals have seen upward of 400 visitors each year, and this event is expected to be similar.

“Freedom Fest began 3 years ago, initiated by our John J. Pershing VA Medical Center employees in Cape Girardeau, as a way to welcome Veterans to the new VA facility,” explained James Warren, interim medical center director. “Since then, it has grown into an annual event for Veterans. We believe it's a fantastic opportunity for Veterans and their families to learn about the many resources available, enroll in care, and connect with staff and fellow Veterans.”

Nearly 30 outreach booths from various VA programs will be set up, including Whole Health, Mental Health, Home Tele-Health, My HealtheVet, Lung Cancer Screening Program, Women Veterans Program, and many more. Subject-matter experts from several VA health services also will be on hand to answer any questions Veterans may have about their health care.

Additionally, several Veteran interest groups will be on hand, including the Missouri Veterans Commission, the American Red Cross, Aging Matters, Veteran service officers, and more.

Free food and beverages, provided by the Bank of Missouri, Salvation Army, Midwest Coca-Cola and Kohlfeld Distributing, will be served from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

A drive-thru flu shot clinic outside the south end of the building will give area Veterans the chance to get vaccinated in a quick and convenient manner, and at no cost; however, if they prefer, they may walk inside to their primary care clinic to receive a vaccination.

“We're excited for another great turnout this year,” added Warren.

For more information about the Fall Freedom Festival or other events and services at the Cape Girardeau VA Health Care Center or other facilities in the VA Poplar Bluff Health Care System, call 573-686-4151 or go online to www.va.gov/poplar-bluff-health-care/

Stoddard County Justice Center, Stoddard County Government Building, Stoddard County Regional Detention Center and Media

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT JOB TITLE: Juvenile Officer I (County Employee)

LOCATION: Thirty Fifth Judicial Circuit, Stoddard County Juvenile Office. Bloomfield, Missouri

Definition of Work: As provided by Court Operating Rule 7of the Missouri Circuit Court Personnel System this is an entry level professional work in the enforcement and administration of the Missouri juvenile justice

system. An employee in this position must be 21 years of age, and is vested with the statutory authority of a

juvenile officer to take charge of children who come under the jurisdiction of the juvenile or family court. This

position si expected to exercise supervision over the juveniles under the court's jurisdiction. Employees ni this class are expected to work with some degree ofindependence. Close supervision is received from and work is

reviewed by ahigher level Juvenile Officer.

Within six months of employment this officer will be required to perform on call duties after regular business hours with a 25 minute response time in person to Bloomfield. Missouri.

Required Minimum Education and Experience: (The following statement represents the minimum education and experience that will be used to determine qualifications of applicants. provided equivalent substitution will be permitted in case of deficiencies of either experience or education. Education above the minimum stated may be substituted on a vear for vear basis for the required general experience; experience above the minimum stated may be substituted on a vear for vear basis for the required education)

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in Criminal Justice Administration, Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work or related field.

OR

Professional employment in a public or private agency involving substantial amount of time (over 50% time) in delivery of protective services to families, adults, children or the aged may be substituted on a year for year basis for the required education.

STARTING SALARY: $ 39,000.00 annual salary. Benefits are provided. AClass I Juvenile Officer has a Code 0-overtime code.

CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIVING RESUMES: October 25, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

EMPLOYMENT DATE: November 15, 2024

ADDRESS TO SEND RESUMES: Tonya Cause, Chief Juvenile Officer. Post Office Box 50, Bloomfield, Missouri 63825. You may apply in person at the Stoddard County Justice Center. 403 South Prairie, Bloomfield, Missouri, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

THE THIRTY-FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER