BLOOMFIELD — Richland R1 School District Superintendent Frank Killian has been named the new Stoddard County EMA director effective Sept. 1.
Killian, who serves as an alderman for the city of Dexter, replaces Kent Polsgrove who had been the emergency management agency director since Dec. 1, 2010. Polsgrove will work closely with Killian to allow for an easier transition.
Polsgrove, who was a school administrator like Killian, announced last December his intention to step down in 2020.
The commissioners sought a candidate with a similar background to Polsgrove’s. Associate commissioners Carol Jarrell and Steve Jordan reached out to school districts in the county to see if they had any retired or soon-to-be retired administrators who might be a good fit for the job.
Three candidates were presented to the commission, but Killian was deemed the most qualified.
“Frank had the experience in grant righting,” presiding commission Danny Talkington said. “He knew what to do in an emergency in a school system. His background was similar to Kent’s.”
Talkington said Killian has experience with multiple school systems and in city government.”
CARES Act request
Kelly Mitchell, economic development director for the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission (BRPEDC) informed the county commission of its plan to renovate its gymnasium into a meeting area and asked if Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act money could help pay for the cost.
Mitchell said 40 to 50 people on average attend the meetings and the current meeting room is too small to practice social distancing guidelines.
She said the BRPEDC has tried to meet online through Zoom but that platform was met with resistance.
Mitchell said the renovation would require the purchase of a new ventilation system, and the BRPEDC doesn’t have the money to renovate the gym and buy the ventilation system.
Talkington said he believes the ventilation system would fall under the guidelines to receive CARES Act funding. He said he didn’t know how much the county could allot for it from the $3.4 million awarded to Stoddard.
Talkington asked Mitchell to get quotes on the cost of the system and present them at a future meeting. In the meantime, the commissioners would research whether the system would meet CARES Act guidelines.
Talkington said she should reach out to commissioners from the other five counties (Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot and Scott) served by BRPEDC to see if they would be willing to provide funds for the project. He said he would reach out to other counties, as well.
Board of Equalization
The Board of Equalization (BOE) met to discuss the appraisal of the Nestle Purina property located northeast of Aquila.
County assessor Dan Creg estimated the value of the Nestle Purina property at $23,497,500 based on the new construction at the facility. The company said the property value as of Jan. 1 was $20,557,500.
BOE members Mike Bollinger, Mary Worley and the three commissioners voted unanimously to accept the lower appraisal value.
The BOE was closed, and the board of appeals was opened and will remain so until Aug. 3.
Dates to remember
The county clerk’s office announced some dates to remember concerning the upcoming election: July 22, last day to request an absentee ballot be mailed; Aug. 4, last day for clerk’s office to receive mailed absentee ballot; Aug. 4, primary election.