BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Stoddard County Commission approved hiring Smith & Company, Engineers, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., to begin the engineering for replacement of bridges on County Road 743 (Elk Township #2240007), County Road 467 (Castor Township) and County Road 772 (Elk Township #2220017).
The commission asked Smith & Company in April 2017 to prioritize the bridges that are most in need of replacement under the Off-System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program (BRO).
Engineer Bill Robison listed the following bridges which had a sufficiency rating of 42.6 percent or less. They were: County Road 780, Elk Township, 27.3 percent; County Road 467, Castor Township, 30.5 percent; County Road 541, Castor, 30.15 percent; County Road 784, Elk, 33.8 percent; County Road 743, Elk, 34 percent; and County Road 772, Elk, 42.6 percent.
Presiding Commission Greg Mathis said the commission needed to decide so that the lengthy process for bridge replacement could begin. He recommended that the commission choose the three bridges most in need of replacement and have Smith & Company start preparing specifications. He noted that the county will not receive annual BRO funds until October this year, and a decision to proceed will be made at that time.
"We need to move forward to better serve the people of those areas," said Mathis.
Commissioner Carol Jarrell made the motion to retain Smith & Company as the engineering firm, and it was seconded by Commissioner Steve Jordan. It passed by a 3-0 vote.
Jordan made the motion to proceed with engineering on bridges on CR 743, CR 467 and CR 772, and it was seconded by Jarrell. It passed by 3-0 vote.
Drainage District Board appointees
Jordan made a motion to appoint Denny Robinett, Eddie Robison and Todd Mayberry to the Drainage District #13 & 33 Board of Directors. It was seconded by Jarrell, and passed by a 3-0 vote.
Jordan then made a motion to appoint Scott Anthony, Stan Cantrell, Chris Eggimann and Donnie Joliff, Jr., to the Drainage District #14 Board of Directors.
The county oversees seven drainage districts in the county. The Circuit Court oversees 11 drainage districts, and the Little River Drainage District overseees some areas in the county.
The commission will hold a drainage ditch tax levy hearing on Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. in the Commission Room of the Government Building. The current tax levy rates are:
Drainage District No. 1, $1.50 per acre;
Drainage District No. 7, $1.00 per acre;
Drainage District No. 13, ten percent maintenance levy with a $10 minimum;
Drainage District No. 14, ten percent maintenance levy with a $10 minimum;
Drainage District No. 17, ten percent maintenance levy with a $10 minimum;
Drainage District No. 19, $2.50 per acre.
Railroad crossing complaint
Mathis said he has received several complaints from residents who live north of the railroad tracks near the Union Pacific terminal east of Dexter. He said the crossing just east of the terminal was being blocked for lengthy periods, according to residents. He said he asked County Clerk Joe Watson to contact Union Pacific for a response.
"Have you heard anything?" Mathis asked Watson.
"No," responded Watson.
Mathis made several efforts to contact UP officials on the phone during the meeting, but was unsuccessful. He said he would continue to look into it.