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Sheriff reports spike in weather-related calls, RSAT successes; county receives Elk Creek Park trail notice to proceed
Summary
The sheriff reported 49 weather-related calls in about 23½ hours and nine RSAT graduates since June; county staff said the second phase of Elk Creek Park trails received a notice to proceed and commissioners discussed keeping marijuana-tax receipts escrowed amid uncertainty.
Sheriff's report
St. Francois County Sheriff (speaker labeled in the transcript) told commissioners severe weather produced a concentrated surge in calls: "We've had 49 calls for motor vehicle accidents, motor assist and road hazards" in roughly a 23½-hour span, he said, and annual calls now total about 19,466. The sheriff reported the jail population at 116 (96 males, 20 females). He also reported two recent graduates from the county's RSAT (residential substance abuse treatment) program and said nine inmates have graduated since the program began in June, a sign staff view as positive.
Parks and staffing notes
County staff announced the county received a "notice to proceed" for the second phase of trails at Elk Creek Park and said construction is set to start Jan. 1. Commissioners also noted a staff departure (employee Nick) and reminded potential candidates and officials of upcoming election filing windows: local April filings open next Tuesday and November ballot signups begin in February.
Marijuana tax and rumor clarification
Before adjournment the sheriff addressed a circulating rumor that the county 9-1-1 district planned to sue the county over Prop P. The sheriff said he spoke with director Allen Wells and that "they have no intention of that" and that discussions were only exploratory in some counties; he told commissioners he wanted to "squash that rumor." Commissioners also discussed locally collected marijuana tax receipts and agreed to keep those receipts in escrow until the stacking and statewide rules are clarified.
Why it matters: the sheriff’s surge in calls reflects short-term public-safety pressure from weather-related incidents; RSAT graduations indicate progress in local substance-abuse treatment for inmates. The Elk Creek Park notice allows construction to proceed on a trails project with a start date provided. The clarification about Prop P and 9-1-1 removes a circulating concern about potential litigation between county agencies.
What’s next: sheriff's office continues storm response and will report on vehicle replacement timing; parks staff will proceed with contracting for Elk Creek Park phase two.
