Concerned Stoddard County taxpayers once again packed the commission chambers Monday morning to revise a request of 10 years of Stoddard County Sheltered Workshop financial documents.
Spokesperson Mike McCollough reported the group received tax information from 2011-17, so they were no longer requesting the previous three years. Instead, the group is requesting seven years of documents detailing tax money spent by the SCSW beginning with 2017.
Eight letters also were presented by McCollough including discussions from Senate Bill 40 board members to meet with Sheltered Workshop board members, SB40 board minutes addressing not being feasible to invest money in the SCSW building, new building plans and the SCSW's vote of no interest in moving forward with the new building. McCollough said the information in the letters were to address Commissioner Carol Jarrell's question regarding why the SB40 board didn't do more to work with the SCSW board.
"I have to believe anyone who had any common sense would agree the SB40 board did everything they could to reach out to the workshop board and bring them along into the new building," McCollough said.
Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis said he was past the "he said, she said," and there was an effort to bring everyone together and it didn't happen.
Mathis' biggest concern, he said, was the amount of money available and how it was going to be divided between all groups as well as a new building, loans against property and the SCSW's operating loan.
"At some point in time there isn't going to be enough money to go around," he said.
Mathis sternly asked where the groups were going forward with the facilities and the needs of the developmentally disabled in Stoddard County.
"I know it's a shame that Stoddard County got to this point with money and facilities," he said. "It's time for this county to come together and do something that's right."
Commissioner Steve Jordan echoed Mathis' statements adding the money had been spent, so now the groups need to figure out a way to work for the people who need it.
"I think demeanor and stature on both sides is what put us here, although we are suppose to be working for the same thing," he said. "He said, she said makes no difference at this point. We have got to figure out what we are going to do to make this thing work on both sides."
Jordan added there was no conversation before and that was one of the factors which led to his decision to vote for new SB40 board members.
"We have plenty (of conversation) now so we need to figure out what we are going to do and how we are going to do," he said. "How we are going to get there is up to us."
Jarrell expressed to the crowd her compassion lies with the developmentally disabled.
"I don't care where (the clients) are being served at whether a new center or Stoddard County Sheltered Workshop," she said.
Jarrell also apologized for anything she has said which upset anyone and added she regretted comments she had said.
"But I will not apologize for standing for the Stoddard County Sheltered Workshop and taxpayers that pay that," she said.
Jarrell also agreed with her fellow commissioners with questioning how loans will be paid and funds still distributed to all groups involved.
Following distribution of the SCSW inspection report that was completed last year, Jarrell said the information estimating repair costs between $300,000 and $500,000 were omitted.
"Yet Targeted Case Management got offices to set in for $724,000 of your taxpayer money and mine," she said.
Following the SB40 board's decision not to renew a contract with the SCSW, the group has not received any funding for nine months, Jarrell added.
"Somehow greed and pride has got in the way of giving them the money they need to keep their building going," she said. "This is sad and I'm like Greg, it's high time we come together and do something."
Mathis added it has been a long range goal to build a new facility and bring everyone together when property was purchased over 20 years ago.
Shirley Carney expressed her frustration of the conditions of the SCSW, a situation she said has been 40 years in the making.
"I think it's deplorable our kids have to set out there and work in conditions like on the inspection list," she said.
Jarrell responded by saying she understood Carney's concerns, but she also saw a pot of SB40 money building up to nearly $2 million, which was for the SCSW and group homes in the county.
"I don't care about the money, I just want it fixed," Carney said.
SCSW Interim Director Devin Miller addressed the group regarding the workshop's condition, saying he realized the building was old.
Miller added since taking the reigns from previous administrator and grandfather Jim LaBrot due to health, he wanted to push the workshop to new levels and to succeed.
"I know we could do so much more," he said. "With all the negativity, nobody has realized all the new jobs we have out there."
The SCSW is now making electrical spools for Alan Wire, according to Miller, and work with DeWitt Company has increased.
Due to complaints, Miller reported the SCSW is no longer sorting recyclable materials with Republic Services.
"I don't want to put anyone's child at risk so we want to table and focus on other jobs we are getting," he said.
Miller also addressed the recent Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection. Items were found, fines were paid, issues were fixed and the workshop continued, he said.
"If it was not safe, OSHA would not let us keep the doors open," Miller said. "I can assure that."
In regards to not allowing clients to return to the SCSW if they quit, Miller said he sees things differently than his grandfather did and has no problem with anyone wanting to come back to the workshop.
Miller asked for a fair chance to lead the SCSW and was proud of the direction the workshop was going and believed it would continue to get better.
"At this point, hopefully we can move forward and the workshop could be a better place," he said.
Mathis added he believed the issue stemmed from citizens wanting information from the SCSW as to where their money was going and not being able to obtain information due to closed meetings.
"We have to be careful about what gets turned over to the general public, but I have no problem with people seeing things," Miller said.
After speaking with SCSW Board President Sam Huey Jr., Mathis said a different type of formal request regarding the Sunshine Law will have to be used to obtain the information requested by the group because of the employment of developmentally disabled individuals, which ties into HIPPA guidelines.
Mathis asked Miller and Jarrell to come together with the format McCollough needs to obtain the information.
"No problem," Miller said.
Bronc Adams, who is a maintenance worker at the SCSW, reported he also recognized items needed to be replaced at the building, but the money was not there. He added he "backed" Miller, who was moving forward.
"Lets start moving forward," Miller said. "If we start getting money back you will see major repairs done. It will take baby steps and not happen overnight."
Adams also invited the community to an Oktoberfest celebration at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13 at the SCSW to see the facility.
Drainage District
and SB40 Tax Levy
In the past, the SB40 board has set the tax levy on their own in accordance with the state auditor's office. At the recommendation of last year's audit, Mathis said the commission would bring the SB40 tax levy under the umbrella of the drainage districts.
The SB40 tax levy saw an increase from $0.0803 last year to $0.0806 this year, unanimously approved by the commission.
Tax levies for the six drainage districts saw no change from 2017 numbers to this year. Each levy was unanimously approved by the commission.
Crime Victim's
Advocate
During last week's meeting, commissioners entered executive session to discuss the crime victim's advocate grant.
The grant began August 2016 with Jerry Hampton being employed as the crime victim's advocate. This was a two-year grant as presented to the commission and Hampton would work for both Stoddard and Dunklin Counties, at no cost to the county.
Hampton was enrolled on the county's self-funded health plan and incurred $10,000 of claims due to a hospitalization.
While the county was reimbursed a monthly premium, the health premiums exceeded the funds expensed on the claims for Hampton.
The commission requested Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver contact Dunklin County and request they pay half the amount.
After reaching out, Oliver reported Dunklin County would not be willing to pay half the amount.
The commission voted to amend the crime victim's advocate budget by one month to fund the position to Sept. 30.
According to Hampton, since his time as crime victim's advocate, he has serviced over 550 victims in the county. He also reported the prosecuting attorney's office is required to have a crime victim's advocate.
Mathis reported no decision would be made regarding the position during Monday's meeting.
Flags at half-staff
The commission unanimously voted for flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor U.S. Sen. John McCain until the day following his funeral.