Matt Dowdy returned to the commission meeting to inquire what Presiding Commissioner Danny Talkington found out about his bond complaint. Dowdy informed the commission at the December 5 meeting that he is making a claim against the bonding company with County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver. Dowdy said he has spoken to County Clerk Cecil Weeks, who holds the bond information for the county. Dowdy said he was advised by incoming Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis to inform the commission so the claim would be recorded in the commission minutes.
He had a letter dated November 22, 2022 from Liberty Mutual Insurance (County uses for their bonding insurance), stating “that under the fidelity insurance policy, only the insured, Stoddard County can be indemnified against covered losses allegedly caused by a dishonest or fraudulent set committed by one of their employees. Only Stoddard County may submit a claim. A review of your correspondence indicates that you are not a proper claimant under the terms of the policy. As such, the Surety must deny this claim in its entirety.”
The letter goes on to read, “We have contacted Stoddard County to advise it of the above information so that they may decide how to proceed. Nothing in this letter is to be construed as a waiver of any of the rights or defenses available to The Ohio Casualty Group or Stoddard County.”
Talkington said he would have to talk to Liberty Mutual before answering Dowdy.
Stoddard County Collector Kay Asbell asked the commission if retirees were left out of the new insurance. Asbell said some employees who attended a Zoom meeting in regards to the insurance said this was left out of the meeting. Talkington said the retirees have not been excluded and he was not sure why this was not in the Zoom meeting. Talkington said the retirees are covered. Asbell thanked the commission and left the chambers.
Commissioner Carrol Jarrell made a motion to approve revised minutes from November 21 to state audit bids must be turned in by December 9. Talkington seconded and the motion passed. Jarrell then made a motion to approve the December 5 minutes and Talkington seconded. The motion was then passed.
Single Audit
Bid Opening
Two bids were received to perform the county’s single audit. The first bid opened by Talkington was from Daniel Jones and Associates CPA for $25,040 and was received on November 8. The second was from Devereux and Companies CPA and Advisors for $17,500 and was received on November 10.
Commissioner Carrol Jarrell made a motion to accept the bid from Devereux and Companies CPA. Talkington seconded and and the bid was accepted.