CHARLESTON - Mississippi County commissioners were pleased to share some good news during their meeting Thursday: a Missouri Association of Counties 2003 safety award along with an $829 check.
County Clerk Junior DeLay explained the safety award is based on the county's performance in 2001 in the MAC's self-insured workers compensation fund.
"In 2001, we had a loss ratio of 4 percent," DeLay said.
The county had a 0-percent loss ratio for 1995 and 1996; 5 percent in '97, 1 percent in '98, and 2 percent in 1999 and 2000.
DeLay also reported the county's dividend credit, which is applied toward the county's annual premium, is $4,736.
Since 1990, the county has received $45,964 in dividend credits and $4,355 in safety awards, according to DeLay.
In other county business:
* Mike Dumey, executive director for the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission, presented commissioners with a natural hazard mitigation plan outline.
Commissioners also appointed Jim Blumenberg, presiding commissioner, as the county's representative on the steering committee for the four area counties along the Mississippi: Mississippi, Scott, New Madrid and Pemiscot.
* Commissioners have decided not to spend money to add a pipe under State Highway OO, and instead will rebuild a ditch obstruction to address a landowner's concern about water backing up the ditch and flooding his nearby land.
"Just put it back the way it was and leave it that way," said Commissioner Martin Lucas. He said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will eventually address the restriction at Highway OO when they come up that ditch for their project.
Commissioners agreed the real problem is that the area is simply a low spot and any 3-inch rain will continue to flood it.
Officials had hoped cutting the additional ditch which they will now replug would help by providing another way for the water to go. "They didn't see it that way," said Lucas. "We'll just plug it and be done with it."
* Commissioners opened an envelope containing seven letters from county residents expressing their opposition to a proposed gambling casino in the Wyatt area.
* Commissioner Homer Oliver said he had received a request from a county health department official asking whether the county could require health inspections of new restaurants before they open.
"I don't think you have any jurisdiction to do that," DeLay advised commissioners. DeLay said the county health department operates according to state laws.
* Raymond "Buddy" Marshall, public administrator, advised commissioners he has received many compliments on the appearance of the courthouse's yard.
"That credit is due Mr. DeLay," said Commissioner Homer Oliver.
* Commissioners approved an order imposing a $2 surcharge on civil and criminal cases in the circuit court for the Victims of Domestic Violence fund. The funds are to be disbursed to the local domestic violence shelter, the Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center's shelter in East Prairie.
"It's a new law, these are additional fees," said DeLay, explaining this new fee will not replace fees on marriage licenses and divorces at the recorder's office that went into in effect January 1997.