Stoddard County Assessor Dan Creg submitted his resignation to the Stoddard County Commission. This resignation is effective as of 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2023. Presiding commissioner Greg Mathis said this resignation has also been given to the governor’ s office.
“I am proud of the many accomplishments made by the dedicated staff of the Stoddard County Assessor’s office,” said Creg in the resignation letter. “And I am confident that these successes will continue after my departure. It has been the highest honor to serve the people of Stoddard County.”
Mathis said the commission would await word from the governor’s office as to the procedure to fill this vacancy.
The commission stated they had no objection to closing County Road 570 but out of respect wants to consult another owner of property in the area of the closure. The Blackshire family is seeking closure of the road which ends at their property. The family said this is to protect the land from dumping of debris. The family also said trees were cut off the land without their permissin. Mathis said he was scheduled to speak to the other property owner Monday afternoon. He said he would then contact the family’s representative.
Loyd Rice with Go Semo said bids were received for the county broadband project. However, the bids were figured with the prevailing wage for the installation of 76 miles of fiberoptic line. Rice said this would double the cost of the project. He said in this scenerio the project would have to be reduced or go back to Bootheel Regional Planning and change the scope of the project with the CBDG grants.
Rice said they received no bids for the City of Puxico nor did the city receive any bids. Rtice said he told the City of Puxico that Go Semo would install the fiber optic line in the city so the process could begin. The Bootheel Regional Planning is holding a bid opening on Thursday. After this bid opening the commission will discuss a way forward for the project.
The commission approved the release of funding for Castor Township for up to $200,000. This will allow asphalt on County Road 413.
The commission approved the release of funding for a bridge project on County Road 249 in New Lisbon Township for $60,000. Terry Bates with New Lisbon Township was on hand at the meeting to provide a final bill on the previous project just completed on County Road 271.
Other Business
Stoddard County EMA Director, Beau Bishop gave a promulgation statement to the commission. This statement says the county will adopt and follow the county hazardous mitigation plan. The commission approved the statement.
Bishop updated the commission on a storm that moved through the county on May 8. Bishop said a tornado warning was issued at approximately 10:11 p.m. Bishop said due to the storm system moving particularly slow (20-30mph) the warning sirens were sounded again at approximately 10:18 p.m.
Bishop said damage reports from Puxico indicated trees and limbs down over roads. In Bloomfield a tree fell into a transformer with both catching fire. Trees were also down on private property. In Essex power lines were down over a road and a house. Approximately six trees/limbs and power lines were down and a residential privacy fence was damaged.
In Bell City multiple power lines were down including in alleys. Two trees were across city streets. Power was restored by 11:59 a.m. May 9.
In Advance approximately five power lines were down. Over 20 trees/limbs were down in the city and surrounding area. One tree was down south of Advance blocking the southbound side and most of the northbound side of Highway 25. One residence had a 500 pound propane tank was damaged by a 2x4 and was actively leaking with no fire. The Advance Fire Department contained the scene. Power was fully restored in the Advance and surrounding area within 48 hours.
Bishop issued his thanks to all the first responders who responded to the aftermath of the storm. Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner also complemented the efforts of those who responded the night of the storm.
The commission approved the Adds and Abates from April.