Three new Senate Bill 40 board members were appointed by Stoddard County Commissioners during the July 9 meeting.
Danny Griffin, Ray McLane and Josh Hester were appointed to fill two open SB40 board spots and one other which was up for reappointment.
"This is something we all have thought about heavily," Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis said following the ballot style vote in which he was the lone vote for Sheila Alsup, Daniel Robinson and Mike McCollough.
Mathis continued by adding when he looks to appoint board members, he looks for individuals who will represent the conservative financial values of the Stoddard County taxpayers, be good stewards of the taxpayer's money, be diligent in holding those who request money accountable for their expenditures, will serve with an open mind and not bring preconceived ideas to the board and have a vision for the future of the Stoddard County developmentally disabled and have a game plan to achieve those goals.
"I also look to appoint board members who are going to be bridge builders for reconciliation to help restore the trust in a group that's fractured with distrust," he said.
Mathis said he "respectfully disagreed" with fellow Commissioners Steve Jordan and Carol Jarrell.
During a conversation, Mathis said Jordan felt both boards needed to be replaced, but took members from one board and placed them on the other.
"I have issues with that," he said.
Mathis also said he had an issue with the agreed upon meeting between three Sheltered Workshop board members and three SB40 board members not taking place following the October 2017 meeting.
In addition, Mathis said he has received several requests from SB40 board members to replace Jarrell as the liaison between the commission and the board.
"I turned each request down," he said. "She was put on there by a vote of the commission and was put on there to do a job and find some common ground and move forward. I stand by those decisions."
Mathis closed his remarks in regards to Sheila Alsup, who was not reappointed to the board.
"Sheila Alsup is a lady of integrity and high moral character," he said. "She has done exactly what was asked as a SB40 board member."
He continued by saying Alsup was asked to serve on the SB40 board without having a one-sided view toward either side and believed she has been neutral.
The commission asked Alsup for accountability of spending monies SB40 dispersed for the developmentally disabled and to provide leadership on the board, which Mathis thought she did.
"I sincerely hope the new SB40 board members that we put on here today can come together as being the bridge builders and try to reconcile some of these issues so they don't continue to fester and cause dissent within the community."
Chiller Warranty
Commissioners unanimously agreed up accepting the standard warranty included with the chiller purchase of a one year warranty on all parts and labor and a five year compressor part only warranty.
Instead of purchasing an extended warranty, Jarrell suggested making a line item in next year's budget and put back money each year to pull from if needed for repairs.
County Ordinances
Several weeks ago, a Stoddard County citizen came before the commission to request looking into an ordinance for nuisance properties.
Each commissioner called two counties to inquire if any had zoning or nuisance properties being enforced.
According to Mathis, neither Scott or Butler Counties have ordinances dealing with nuisance properties.
Jordan found Cape Girardeau County has an extensive nuisance ordinance in place, but they are a Class 1 county.
Mississippi County, a Class 3 county like Stoddard, has a limited ordinance on the books, he said.
Jarrell was asked to contact Dunklin and New Madrid Counties and found neither had nuisance ordinances.
She also contacted Pemiscot, Ripley, Wayne, Ste. Genevieve and Madison Counties and found no ordinances in place as well.
Mathis has asked for sample ordinances to be sent to the commission. After receiving the sample ordinances, he said the a decision will be made.
The commission also addressed possible future ordinances regarding meat processing and packing plants near residential areas.
The commission stressed the possible future ordinance would not impact Rock Ridge Farms on Highway 25.
"The commission has no issue with doing anything negative to impact the business on Highway 25," Mathis said. "It's up and running and he followed the letter of the law and there are no ordinances pertaining to business so we have no intention of trying to do anything with Rock Ridge Farms."
Sample ordinances were also requested from counties with contained animal feeding operations, which is some what different from the situation in Stoddard County. Once received, the commission will go from there and decide if they would like to look into a possible ordinance.
Board of Equalization
The 2018 Stoddard County Board of Equalization was officially opened July 9.
Mathis said the board normally stays open for two weeks, but will extend if someone requests.
Assessor Dan Craig reported Ameren Missouri filled itss annual appeal.
At the end of the two weeks, if no one has scheduled to come before the commission, they will vote to either accept or deny the appeal.