The Stoddard County commission will seek interested candidates to replace a long time Senate Bill 40 board member.
Due to health issues, board member Joe Weber missed five consecutive meetings, which is grounds for removal.
The commission will be accepting resumes from interested candidates until Feb. 25 to fill the remainder of Weber’s term, which expires June 30, 2020.
After conducting interviews with interested individuals, the commission will appoint a person to fill the open spot ahead of the SB40 March board meeting.
The board is then expected to reorganize.
EMA Updates
Stoddard County Emergency Management Agency Director Kent Polsgrove reported Monday morning to the commission a monthly storm siren test was not conducted in January due to impending weather.
“I didn’t want to concern anyone,” Polsgrove said. “We will get back on track next month and the siren test will be February 6.”
Conference calls were held this past month as well regarding two weather events that swept through the county.
“When there is a conference call that is concerning because we know something could be coming,” he said.
Luck was on the county’s side with the heaviest part of the storm moving north of the area during the first event.
The last weather event brought more precipitation to the area in the form of rain, sleet and snow.
Polsgrove also reported there was one weather related traffic fatality in Advance.
In addition to weather text alerts, Polsgrove said over 5,000 people were kept updated through the county’s EMA Facebook page.
“I think we are making progress on notifications other than just texts,” he said.
2019 Budget Approved
Stoddard County officials approved the 2019 budget with projected revenues of nearly $11.7 million, ending in the black with just over $11.4 million in expenditures.
A public hearing was held last Tuesday morning, Jan. 22, in the commission chambers for public comments prior to the budget approval. The biggest change in the county’s budget will be the addition of the two new half cent sales tax.
The county estimated to receive about $2.1 million in eight months of collection from both voter-approved half cent sales taxes.
The first half cent sales tax, which has no sunset, is for the purpose of maintaining the Stoddard County Jail and sheriff’s office operations.
The second half cent sales tax, with a sunset of seven years, was approved for the purpose of the renovation of the existing jail and construction, equipment and design cost of a jail addition.