Stoddard County Moves Swiftly to Address Expanded Mold Contamination
Stoddard County Commission has approved an urgent additional payment of $88,134.97 to handle unexpected mold found in the basement of the county archives building. The mold remediation contractor, ServePro, identified three new contaminated areas beyond the original scope of work, prompting the county to expedite cleanup expansion.
The unanimous decision came Monday after District I Associate Commissioner Wes Howard offered a motion to increase ServePro’s contract to ensure all affected areas in the archives basement are properly remediated. The move responds to newly discovered mold that was not included or detected in initial assessments.
Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis Takes Responsibility for Oversight
“I’m not going to throw anybody under the bus. We were told there was no mold down there and that the other areas were fine. Basically, they were areas that were not tested or looked at,” said Commissioner Greg Mathis, acknowledging that the mold zones were overlooked during the initial inspection.
Mathis emphasized that the county’s buildings and grounds are under direct supervision of the commission, and since the areas missed fall under that jurisdiction, the responsibility lies with his office. “Anything that was missed over there goes directly through me. That should have been done better as a presiding commissioner, so that’s on my watch. I should have done better,” Mathis added.
ServePro Reassessment Spurs Cost Increase
ServePro, contracted previously for mold remediation at the archives, discovered the additional mold during ongoing cleanup. After rebidding, the company presented the additional cost of $88,134.97 to cover remediation efforts for these new sites.
The county’s swift approval of the change order ensures the affected archival records and county property in Bloomfield do not face further damage or health risks from unchecked mold.
Local Leadership and Community Updates
In related county news, Stoddard County Collector/Treasurer Joshua Speakman was recently elected president of the Missouri Association of Counties (MAC), a prestigious post recognizing his leadership across the state.
Residents should also note upcoming community events: the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission will host its annual E-Recycle Day on Thursday, April 30. Electronic waste may be dropped off at 105 E. North Main Street in Dexter.
Additionally, a National Day of Prayer gathering is scheduled for noon on Thursday, May 7, at Dexter City Hall, offering a moment for communal reflection.
Why This Matters Now
The discovery of additional mold contamination could have serious implications for the health of county employees, preservation of historic documents, and ongoing operational safety in the archives building. The county’s rapid response signals a proactive approach to facility management and public safety.
With mold known to cause respiratory issues and structural damage, the extended cleanup funded by the county commission safeguards both public health and vital records.
Next Steps
ServePro is expected to commence the expanded remediation immediately to contain and eliminate mold hazards. Stoddard County officials are likely to review internal processes to prevent similar oversights in future facility inspections.
Residents are encouraged to follow county announcements for updates on the archives cleanup progress and upcoming community events.
This developing story reflects the ongoing challenges counties face nationwide in maintaining older government buildings while ensuring safety and transparency in public spending.
