Commission accepts new subdivision road, hears sales tax report

Published 5:00 am Tuesday, July 14, 2026

The Dent County Commission accepted a new subdivision road into the county road system during its regular meeting Thursday morning and received reports showing year-over-year increases in county sales tax collections.

Commissioners unanimously agreed to accept a new road in a subdivision off County Road 418 after property owner Sherman Odom discussed the project with the commission. Acceptance is contingent upon Odom providing two additional loads of rock for the road. Odom will prepare the deed for the county, while Rural Addressing will assign a new road number and addresses for the subdivision lots.

Treasurer Denita Williams reported sales tax receipts increased across the county’s major funds compared to the same period last year.

The General Revenue Fund received $99,569.78, an increase of $21,856.60 over July 2025. Year-to-date collections are up $48,130.06, or 7.6%.

The Jail Fund received $99,991.43, an increase of $21,858.98 from last July. Year-to-date collections have increased by $61,505.81, or 9.8%.

The Road and Bridge Fund received $49,784.74, an increase of $10,929.42 over July 2025. Year-to-date collections are up $30,803.29, or 9.9%.

Collector Shannon VanKirk turned over $121,746.96 for the month of June. Williams and VanKirk also discussed surplus property with the commission, which voted 3-0 to allow the treasurer to transfer the funds to the Circuit Clerk to complete the process.

Under road reports, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said crews plan to grade and haul rock where needed on county roads 6570, 6255, 5525 and 4215. Green said County Road 6570 will receive the majority of the work because it requires reconstruction. Brush cutting is also planned on county roads 6100 and 6110.

District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported grading and rock hauling are planned on county roads 5320 and 5325. Brush cutting is scheduled on county roads 2380 and 2300.

Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson announced the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District has opened applications for its 2027 grant program. Applications are due by noon Aug. 21. Eligible projects are those that encourage solid waste reduction within the seven-county region of Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Pulaski, Phelps and Washington counties.

A grant-writing workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 22, at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission, 4 Industrial Drive in St. James. The workshop is open to anyone interested.

County Clerk Angie Curley reported she balanced all June accounts with the county treasurer and reconciled monthly collections, abatements and add-ons with both the collector and assessor.

Curley also reminded residents that absentee voting for the Aug. 4 primary election will continue through Aug. 3. No-excuse absentee voting begins July 21. Voters with questions, those needing to update their registration information or those seeking a sample ballot may contact the Dent County Clerk’s Office at 573-729-4144 or by email at dent@sos.mo.gov.

The next meeting of the Dent County Commission is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday at the Dent County Courthouse.