Local News – Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

The Dent County Commission held their 2023 budget hearing Monday morning at the commissioner’s office in the courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles went over the major funds that comprise the budget. The General Revenue Fund ended 2022 with net cash available at $2,442,212.51. The estimated revenues for 2023 are 2.121 million dollars while estimated expenses for this year are 3.381 million dollars, resulting in an estimated ending balance of $1,182,616.97 as of December 31st, 2023. Skiles stated that $800,000 was budgeted for repairs to be done on the courthouse in 2022 of which $347,000 were spent, then another one million dollars was appropriated for 2023 for additional courthouse repairs. The Road and Bridge Fund ending cash balance in 2022 was $511,493.16. The commissioners have estimated revenues in 2023 at 2.643 million dollars and estimated expenses of 2.785 million dollars that would result in an estimated ending balance of $369,573.16 at the end of 2023. The Assessment Fund ending balance for 2022 was $148,137.78. The commissioners estimated revenues in 2023 of $218,350.00 and with estimated expenses of $291,642.60, the estimated ending balance at the end of 2023 would be $74,845.18. The Law Enforcement Sales Tax (LEST) Fund ending balance in 2022 was $836,645.31 that was helped with increase in actual revenues by ARPA funds in 2022. The commissioners estimate revenues in 2023 to be 1.231 million dollars while the estimated deductions came in at 1.486 million dollars leaving an estimated ending balance of $582,537.59 at the end of 2023. The 9-1-1 fund had an ending balance of $61,250.72 in 2022 that showed an increase in revenues of over $4,500 for the year. Expected estimated revenues are $42,633 in 2023 and with estimated expenses of $40,500.00, there would be an ending balance at the end of 2023 of $63,383.78. The Jail Construction and Operations Fund finished the 2022 year with cash available of $2,263,325.29. The fund has expected revenues in 2023 of 2.068 million dollars and estimated expenses of 2.485 million dollars that would leave an ending balance of $1,845,817.88 at the end of 2023. The Jail Construction Trust Fund finished 2022 with an ending balance of $1.705 million dollars. The commissioners estimated revenues of $1,032,427.03 and with anticipated expenses of $1,201,857.50, the fund would have an ending balance of 1.536 million dollars at the end of 2023. Skiles also went over the new budgets for the SB40 fund and offered to revue smaller funds to see if there were questions, but there were none. The budget for 2023 was then approved by a 2-1 vote with Commissioner Skiles voting against the budget due to a 4% COLA increase for all employees including elected officials who also received an increase around 1% due to the assessed valuation increase. Skiles said the increase for employees was about $1,200 while the office holders were going to get about an increase of about $2,400. The hearing was then adjourned.

Missouri turkey hunters can apply online during February for 2023 spring turkey managed hunts through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) website at mdc.mo.gov. Managed hunt details and application procedures are outlined on the webpage.Drawing results will be posted starting March 15th. The spring turkey hunting youth portion will be April 1 and 2 with the regular spring season running April 17th through May 7th. Detailed information on spring turkey hunting will be available in the MDC 2023 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where permits are sold beginning in March. To learn more about turkey hunting, visit MDC’s website at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/turkey. Buy Missouri hunting permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through the MDC free mobile app (MO Hunting) available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.

The Salem Area Council presents a four-week Stained Glass Class with Jennifer Curry starting Tuesday, February 7th at the Creative Arts Center. You can learn the art of stained glass and create a panel of your own. Students will use some basic stained glass cutting and soldering techniques and be introduced to the vocabulary and materials used while creating a beautifully designed piece. Curry will provide the materials and equipment as well as the instruction and knowledge for each student to have a successful and enjoyable experience. Class time are 1:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon of 5:00 to 8:00 in the evening. The cost of the program is $150 which includes the supplies and safety equipment. There must be a minimum of two students for the class to be held and no more than five students can be in one class. To sign up, call or text 573-247-0651, or go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.

The Dent County Historical Society will be holding their next meeting on Monday, February 6th, at 5:00 at James and Gahr Fellowship Hall. Cemeteries and burial sites along the Current River will be discused as well as the Project which is to have wayside panels at pull-outs at places on private land with an agreement with the landowner. Discussion will also be held about the National Park Service Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The meetings are open to everyone. For more information or if people want to share or have ideas of possible stories, call Deloris Gray Wood at 573 729-2545 or e-mail her at delorisgraywood@gmail.com.

The Healthy Dent County Fitness Center will offer their Line Dancing classes again this year Tuesday nights through the month of February at 6:30 at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory. The cost to attend is $5.00 and just pay at the door. The class instructor is Rosalie Wright. For more information call 739-1127 or e-mail susie@salemcommunitycenter.org.