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The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Tuesday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the consent agenda, the sales tax collections for the month of January were up $10,000 over last year. In the hearing of persons, Kristen DeLuca with Verkamp and Malone, CPA presented the audit report for budget year 2010/2011. The City has received a clean audit with total net assets being $14,437,315 with $3,800,847 being unrestricted. Net assets decreased just over 2% with a $45,000 loss in the general fund account. City Administrator Clayton Lucas commended the Aldermen and city employees for such a good audit. City Attorney William Camm Seay reported on the public hearing that was help prior to the meeting. The home located at 808 E. Jack Street, owned by Billy Major was discussed. Mr. Major is deceased and the building inspector will make recommendations on the building if it should be demolished. Director of Public Works and Engineering Bill Huffman stated that all departments are doing basic maintenance. The Construction crew is remodeling two rooms at the police department. Economic Development Director, Sharon Tubbs, wanted to remind the community the Road Rally will be held this weekend in Salem. Several visitors will be in town and everyone should act as city ambassadors to ensure that these tourists have an enjoyable time. City Administrator Clayton Lucas reported that he talked to the representative from DNR and the soccer field grant that the city wanted to transfer from the Highway 19 property to the Al Brown fields cannot be done. Because the two donations of $10,000 have been returned to the donors and the fact that a DNR grant has already been done on the Al Brown fields. He recommended and the Aldermen approved, to go ahead and remove the fence at the baseball field, increase parking and tear down the press box. The funds for this grant will be returned. Lucas is looking to update the lease with the Council for a Healthy Dent County at the Salem Freedom Activity Center. The Council is looking at writing grants to improve the building and will need a lease. The City Council agenda and minutes can now be accessed on the City’s website, www.salemmo.com.  Mayor Gary Brown reported that the Salem TCRC had 1,092 participants in January and the Fitness Center had 1,497. The Board asked City Attorney Camm Seay to develop an ordinance that would automatically adjust the electric rate to customers as the city’s provider increases or decreases the rates. MoDOT is still working on putting together a proposal to work on McArthur Street and then have the City assume responsibility. The board approved the purchase of white rock for sidewalks, sewer and water upgrades in the amount of $4,192.64 from Capital Quarries. The board held a discussion on options for the old middle school property, such as selling, demolition and restoration. The city will let Administrator Lucas put out for bid the costs for demolition of the building and also the bids for selling the property. The fire escape stairs have been removed and the windows are being boarded up. The land could be used for a future water tower site or city park. The board approved changing the March meeting dates to the 12^th and 26^th. They also discussed possibly changing all future dates to Tuesday evening since several holidays fall on Mondays and these meetings have to be rescheduled. The board approved getting bids for the city uniforms, and also city liability and workers comp insurance. The board then went into closed session.

Round two of the 2012 Rally America National Championship takes place in the majestic Ozark foothills of the Rally in the 100-Acre Wood on Friday, February 24^th and Saturday, February 25^th in Salem. The Rally in the 100-Acre Wood will begin at 12:00pm on Friday, February 24^th, with a Parc Expose in Steelville. Fans can attend the Parc Expose to seek autographs and pick up spectator information before heading to various spots in the woods to watch the exciting rally action. Another Parc Expose will kick off the action on Saturday, February 25th in downtown Salem at the intersection of 4th & Main Street at 8:00 am. Two Super Special stages will take place that day at the Potosi Lions' Park beginning at 2:40pm. All Parc Expose’s and race viewing are free to attend. The Victory Celebration will take place in Salem Saturday night at 8:30.

The Dent County Commissioners held a Special Meeting Tuesday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell and District Two Commissioner Gary Larson discussed the bridge closing on Dent County Road 3210 (hospital road), due to safety. The Commission discussed the financial burden, permits and their next procedures. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson made several contacts with MoDOT and they were coming to look at the situation and lend some advice. The Commission then signed the 2011 Dent County Financial Statement prepared by Dent County Clerk Angie Curley. The meeting was then adjourned.

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