The Stoddard County Commission meeting opened with a change to the agenda. Commissioner Carol Jarrell made a motion to change the agenda to indicate the commission would return to open session following a closed session at 11:30 a.m. Presiding commissioner Greg Mathis seconded the motion and the motion passed on a 2-0 vote.
The minutes from the January 2 meeting were then approved as well as the minutes from the special Wednesday, January 4 meeting.
New District 1 Commissioner Greg Lintz was administered the oath of office by County Clerk Cecil Weeks. Lintz will finish the term of former commissioner Steve Jordan pending a decision on a permanent commissioner by Governor Mike Parson. That decision is anticipated in February.
Mathis said he was told the generator at the Stoddard County Jail was too small to run the jail in the event of a power outage. This was the case when a power outage occurred. Mathis said the generator currently at the jail may be moved to the Justice Center. The cost of re-wiring would be high. Mathis said the county would have to figure the cost of moving the generator and wiring it.
Shawn Harding with HMN Architects said the generator at the jail must provide hot plugs to the certain offices such as the sheriff’s and chief deputy’s office, in the medical room and in parts of the jail to keep it running. It also provides power to certain parts of the jail to keep it running.
Chief Deputy Andy Holden said during a recent power outage there was not any heat or air, the food cooler did not have any power, the water supply system did not function meaning the inmates had no fresh water, the laundry system and the elevators that provide access to certain areas also were not powered.
Mathis asked how long it would take to wire a new generator. Representatives for Cotner Electric said more than a week. A temporary generator would be put in place during the wiring process.
A new generator was acquired following a hurricane in Florida. A generator became available that would have gone to Florida if not purchased for the jail. The generator will be on site in two weeks.
A change order was sent to HMN Architects from Brown Construction, who handled the construction of the jail.
Mathis told HNM Architects Firm, who designed the jail, that he was impressed with the new jail but there were 150 inmates that needed to be fed, kept warm and needed water. Mathis said he hoped the process for the generator timeline would be short.
“I hope we are not getting into a $380,000 game of chicken” Mathis said. “Because we (the county) are not blinking.”
Mathis later said this was his statement and did not reflect the thoughts and feelings of Jarrell or Lintz.
Stoddard County Health Center
Ben Godwin, director for the Stoddard County Center, said candidates for their election have been registering at their facility as well as campaigning. He said it was his understanding that the county clerk is to handle this. County Clerk Cecil Weeks said it was his understanding that in the municipal elections the organization with the seats up for election handled it but he would look into it to be sure. Mathis asked that Weeks and Godwin have a short meeting to discuss it.
Mathis Statement on Steve Jordan request
Mathis said former commissioner Steve Jordan contacted him and indicated the county owed him backpay, money for insurance premiums and attorney fees. Mathis said he was unsure what Jordan was owed. Mathis asked Jordan and his attorney to submit a letter to the county with the statutes he and his attorney were referencing. Mathis said at that time the county would look into it.
Marijuana Tax
Weeks presented an ordinance to the commission to put a measure on the April ballot to put a three percent sales tax on adult recreational marijuana sales in the county. This does not affect medical marijuana. Weeks said this has to be certified by January 24 to be placed on the ballot. Jarrell made a motion to place the ordinance on the agenda for the next Tuesday, January 17 meeting.
Other Business
Weeks gave Mathis a notice to proceed with construction on a bridge on County Road 784. MODOT’s board approved this project in December. The commission approved Carol Jarrel to sign the notice to proceed for the project. Jarrell was the only commissioner in office when the project was first discussed.
Dexter Chamber Executive Director Alisha Trammell asked the commission for an updated letter indicating the city would still receive the ARPA funds for a water/sewer project. The project has been updated so this will require approval from the legal department of the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission. Once approval is acquired the letter can be given to the city.
The commission went to a closed session to discuss the insurance situation of an employee. Mathis said more information was requested and no action was taken.
Lintz made a motion to have McCarty from Arch Brokeridge to move forward with establishing a tier three account for the county’s employee’s and office holders. Jarrell seconded and the motion passed 3-0.