Stoddard County Courthouse cupola improvements and jail expansion discussion continued during the commission meeting March 19.
Dale Rogers, Robert Stearns and Associates, Inc. president, updated the commissioners on dates for the changed pre-bid and bid meetings for the cupola project.
Contractor bids will be accepted at 10 a.m. Monday, April 9 in the Commission Chambers. A pre-bid meeting was to be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 26 in the Commission Chambers.
All contractors and subcontractors proposing to submit a bid proposal are encouraged to attend the meeting for a review of project bidding requirements, work scope and tour of the building.
Rogers said information, drawings and an Addendum were resent to all contractors who responded before the date change as well as to area contractors.
The information, Rogers said, went to a broader range of people than before.
The county was awarded a grant for $60,000 from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and State Historic Preservation Office for cupola repairs including sheet metal cladding restoration and application of an elastomeric finish coating, sealant replacement and painting.
In addition to the $60,000 grant, the county will contribute $40,000 to the improvements. Construction is expected to be completed by Sept. 1.
During the last discussion of the potential jail expansion project, commissioners and law enforcement personnel decided to scale back the size of the project from a 120 bed facility to 80 bed facility to reduce the cost.
Rogers said the next step for him would be to inquire for a breakdown cost of detention center equipment, including the pods, and look at detention equipment costs separately for the existing jail.
Once those estimates are received, Rogers said a cost for the potential project could be determined while still keeping the major parts together and costs down.
He expects to inquire on these costs soon.
As the county goes through the first phase of this potential project, Rogers said the way he sees the timeline is to first establish a budget and then when the plans are acceptable, language can be placed on the ballot for voters.
The last day to have an item placed on the August ballot is May 29.
Chief Deputy Andy Holden pointed out to commissioners the demolition and removal of an empty church behind the sheriff's department was included in the price estimate for the jail expansion project.
Holden added he believed the county could do the work on their own or bid out the demolition and removal separately.
"It (the church) sits there empty and is a liability if someone were to get in there and get hurt," he said.
Maintenance Supervisor William Dowdy updated the commissioners on the Justice Center phone system.
The phone system is around 16 years old and was the original system included in the Justice Center when it opened. Dowdy said the phones and parts are almost impossible to buy today because of their age.
He described the system as "glitching" and leaving the building without phones for a bit at times while the system resets.
A price quote Dowdy said he received "awhile ago" for around 54 phones in the system was "steep," but added he inquired for an updated quote to give the commissioners something to look for future discussion.
A filing update for the Aug. 7 election saw a new candidate for the presiding commissioner office.
Samuel W. Huey, Jr. joined Danny Talkington and Brock W. Williams in the race for presiding commissioner following the announcement from Greg Mathis he would not be seeking re-election.
Offices also up for re-election include county clerk, prosecuting attorney, recorder of deeds, circuit clerk and associate circuit judge. Filing for county offices closes Tuesday, March 27.
Public Administrator Pamela Lape announced her resignation from her position effective July 31.
Lape has served two full terms as public administrator and was in her third term. The office is up for re-election in 2020.
County Clerk Joe Watson said he has inquired with the State of Missouri Boards and Commissions office on the process to appoint someone to the public administrator position. The board will send the information in the coming days.
In a letter to Watson, Lape said she and her husband decided 2018 was the time for both of them to retire.
"I love working as public administrator and am very grateful for the county's trust and support...and for the opportunity to serve in our community," Lape said in the letter. "Serving others has given me substance! Now, I am looking forward to the next phase in my life; spending more time with my husband, children and grandchildren."
In addition to wanting the office to continue growth, Lape said she will assist with the transition to another person and wished many achievements to her successor.