Local News – Friday, August 12th, 2022
The City of Salem Utility Committee met Wednesday night but did not have a quorum. Even though no decisions could be made to recommend to the Salem Board of Aldermen, Chairman Kyle Williams handed out budgeted numbers for the month of July where the expenses and revenues were reviewed for the electric department as well as water and sewer department. Also distributed was the report on the consumption of electricity and costs by the city for the first six months of the year as well as comparison rates for electric and water to other rural cities. The committee went through the water fund budgeted numbers that showed the current rates are currently covering the costs of the city to maintain the water distribution system. Williams discussed doing a tour of the water treatment plant, but City Administrator Ray Walden relayed that maybe a drone visit may be better for the committee members as recommended by Jeff Medows of Archer-Elgin. The committee discussed including the utility committee meeting dates on the monthly utility bill that goes out, but Public Works Director Mark Nash said that he was told that would create a two-page utility bill if the information were to be included on the bill. There was discussion of using an insert, possibly having the meeting dates printed on the envelope as well as on the back of the bill, but Nash said the Salem News, KSMO Radio, Your World Today, Facebook and the city’s website do a good job of providing the public the chance to find out the information about city meetings. Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge said an insert concerning the discontinuation of the brush and limb pickup by the city in January could include the information, but there was no formal determination by those in attendance. After a discussion about commercial electric rates that compared numerous towns to each other, Nash reported there are so many different ways that towns determine their commercial electric rates that there is no specific solution that will fit all needs. The meeting was then adjourned.
An accident occurred Wednesday evening around 5:10 in Dent County on Route HH about a tenth of a mile south of Salem. According to the highway patrol report a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country Van driven by 32-year-old Allie Haines of Salem was travelling southbound at a high rate of speed. The Chrysler had a blow out, Haines lost control, ran off the left side of the roadway, and overturned. Haines suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Health Air Ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia. She was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chrysler sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by American Muffler.
An accident occurred Wednesday afternoon at approximately 3:20 in Dent County on Highway N about 4 miles east of Highway 19. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2011 BMW R12800GS Motorcycle, driven by 64-year-old Donald Lipe of Elsberry, struck a deer in the roadway and Lipe was ejected from the motorcycle. He suffered moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to Salem Memorial District Hospital. The report stated that Lipe was wearing safety devices at the time of the accident. The report went on to say that the motorcycle sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.
In the 2022 State by State Bill Pay Market report, it was calculated that Salem residents pay $1,574 per month on the ten most common household bills. This is 7.7% lower than the state average of $1,706 per month on those same bills, and 21.4% lower than the national average of $2,003. Salem is the 49th most expensive city in Missouri for household bills while the state of Missouri is the #40 most expensive state for household bills. The City of Rolla came in as the 41st most expensive city in the state for household bills paying $1,627, and Salem is way below Branson who came in as the 6th most expensive city in Missouri for household bills where residents pay an average of $2,028 per month.
The Salem Community Choir will return to perform a concert Sunday afternoon at 2:00 on the Courthouse lawn. Selections being performed include “Dry Bones,” two Irish numbers, a salute to Judy Garland and selections from popular television shows. There is no charge to attend, and everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served by the Cosmopolitan Club.
The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is holding a public hearing on Tuesday, evening at 5:45 at the SMDH hospital library at which time citizens may be heard on the property tax rate proposed to be set by Salem Memorial District Hospital, a political subdivision. The tax rate shall be set to produce the revenues for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023. The tax rate is determined by dividing the amount of revenue required by the current assessed valuation. The result is multiplied by 100 so the tax rate will be expressed by cents per $100 valuation. The real estate estimated assessed valuation for 2023 tax year is $196,858,606. The estimated assessed valuation of real estate for tax year 2022 was $194,023,384. The personal property estimated assessed valuation for 2023 tax year is $95,083,891 for tax year 2022 was $72,179,651. The amount of property tax revenues projected for 2023 with the assessed valuation is $700,662. The hospital board has proposed a tax rate for 2023 of 24 cents per $100 assessed valuation which is the same as the tax rate for 2022.
Come out the Salem Community Center@The Armory for a back-to-school fair this Saturday from 9:00 in the morning till 12:00 noon sponsored by the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency. There will be school supplies, local vendors, socks, underwear, backpacks, and so much more. Contact Sarah Arnett to register at 573-729-3500, Ext. 10; e-mail her at sarnett@scmcaa or you may register at the event. Please bring proof of existence for all household members.