Commission to try new product on dirt roads

The Howell County Commission agreed last week to try out a new product that could help county road strength and knock down some of the dust. The county also approved two grant applications and heard about a project to redo the HVAC system in the Howell County Sheriff's Office. 

 

The commission is planning to use Base One Liquid Base Stabilizer on a section of county road 1770. This road has many heavy vehicles that travel it and is a prime candidate for the treatment. Other counties that have used Base One include neighboring Shannon County and also Callaway County in central Missouri. Depending on how the road performs following the treatment, the commission may decide to use Base One on other county roads. 

 

The commission approved two grant applications from the Sheriff's Office. The first grant was for body armor. This is an annual grant, and the requested amount is larger due to the Sheriff's Office having four more officers. This is a 50/50 grant for ten new vests. Lt. Jason Long said that while these vests are lighter, more durable, and better at distributing the force of bullet impacts, the vests take time to break-in. The county will be responsible for paying $4,227.75 for the vests. The commission unanimously approved the grant. 

 

The second grant application is a 100% state-funded grant through the MOST Smart Board for the Deputy Sheriff's Supplemental Salary fund. According to Lt. Long, a total for the grant amount was not available prior to the grant application being submitted. The amount last year was around $45,000, according to County Clerk Kelly Waggoner. If the grant is approved by the state, those available to benefit from the grant will receive more money this year. The grant application was approved unanimously by the commission. 

 

Sheriff Brent Campbell visited with the commission to discuss an overhaul of the HVAC system at the Sheriff's Office. With Campbell was Carey Edwards with Daikin TMI. Daikin works as an intermediary who helps contractors meet with those needing contract work. The pair suggested separating the vents that bring air into the control office and the maximum security area of the jail and installing exhaust systems for each of the pods. Currently, there is no exhaust system for the building. Commissioner Calvin Wood asked that the Sheriff look into whether the grant could cover replacing any of the ceiling AC units. Campbell said that two of the five AC units had been replaced recently but would look into it. The sheriff also told the commissioners this grant would cover 100% of the cost. The commission seemed hopeful for the project. 

 

The Howell County Commissioners are Presiding Commissioner Ralph Riggs, Northern Commissioner Calvin Wood, and Southern Commissioner Billy Sexton. The commission meets in regular session on Mondays and Thursdays, from 10 am to 3:30 pm. The meetings remain open during the lunch hour and are open to the public. Contact the commissioners' chamber by phone at (417) 256-3872.