Marilyn Ruestman
2019 Annie Baxter Award Recipient
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Former Newton County Commissioner Tabbed for Annie Baxter Award

5/27/2019

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From Joplin Globe, April 25, 2019
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Marilyn Ruestman, former Newton County presiding commissioner and Missouri state representative, has been named the winner of the 2019 Annie Baxter Award.

The honor, established in 1990 and sponsored by Missouri Southern State University, is presented each year to a prominent Missouri woman who makes noticeable contributions to her community in the spirit of Annie Baxter. Baxter, elected in 1890 as the Jasper County clerk, was the first woman to hold elective office in Missouri and the first female county clerk in the United States.

"I was surprised and honored to receive the award," Ruestman said. "I feel like it is a real honor to be given an award for pioneering women in the political field."

Ruestman began her career in public service by first becoming involved with the local Chamber of Commerce and in committee work, she said in a news release from MSSU.

"Then, while attending MSSU, I took a course called Students in Free Enterprise," she said in the release. "We went to a competition in the early 1980s in New York for developing programs to educate students on the free enterprise system. I ended up being the presenter, and we came in second in the nation."

During that time, Ruestman met former U.S. Rep. Mel Hancock, R-Mo., and after he was elected she served as his district assistant from 1989 to 1996. She also served as district director for former Missouri state Sen. Marvin Singleton.

From 2003 to 2010, Ruestman served as a Republican state representative for what was the 131st Missouri House District, representing parts of McDonald and Newton counties.

While serving as a representative, Ruestman was elected the majority caucus secretary in 2005, 2007 and 2009. She was also the treasurer of the freshman class of the 92nd General Assembly, president of the Women Legislators of Missouri and was appointed to the Missouri Women's Council.

In 2010, Ruestman was elected as the presiding commissioner of Newton County, and then reelected in 2014. She retired in January.

Ruestman was a recipient of the Woman of the Year award from the Missouri Federated Republican Women. In 2003, she was named MSSU's Outstanding Alumni and has served on the alumni board.

Newton County Commissioner Jim Jackson, who worked with Ruestman on the commission for six years, said that she is "most deserving" of the award and is a good role model not only for young professional women, but for all professionals in Newton and McDonald counties.

"You think of what she's done working at the county, state and federal level, and not everybody can do that," Jackson said.

Ruestman said that though times have changed since she was a young woman in politics, she is still always available to offer advice to young women who are considering joining the political world but need guidance on their first steps.

"It's different than most people think it is," she said. "And it's better if you know the steps to proceed and start out, like anything else."

Background
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Annie Baxter Award recipient Marilyn Ruestman is also co-owner of Ruestman Real Estate Development Co., attended school in Neosho and Noel, and holds associate, bachelor's and master's degrees.
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Marilyn Ruestman, Southwest Missouri's first female politician, is retiring

12/28/2018

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State of the County - 2010-2018

12/28/2018

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You elected me to serve as your watchdog over the expenditures of your hard earned tax dollars and I have remained vigilant to that priority. You now deserve a report on results of my 8 year term as Presiding Commissioner.
 
Because of an economic downturn, the reserve fund for the County ending 2010 was $863,505.81. I am extremely pleased to exit 2018 with a reserve fund of $3,693,700.72. This reserve serves as a type of county savings account in case of an economic emergency for any county and should contain operating expenses for 6 months up to one year. The total budget for 2018 is $25,668,974.10
 
The operating expenses for 2010 were $9,819,156.57.
 
In 2018 an operating budget of $10,536,723.20 was anticipated.
 
County growth toward First Class County status based on assessed evaluation of the county was $697,266,246.00 in 2010. It is now $ 877,944,445.00 in 2018.
 
  • Cost of living salary increases have seen a total increase including this year’s offer of 12.5% during the previous 8 years as well as a reduction to a 37.5 hour work week for several positions.  
 
  • Newton County continues to offer 12 paid holiday days per year.
 
  • Full time employees receive paid health insurance coverage with supplemental plans available. Newton County also provides a retirement plan, vacation accrual and other benefits. And beginning 2019 the full time hourly base rate following any probation period will be $12.00 per hour.
 
Many sophisticated software programs have been implemented including a Tyler Bookkeeping system and a Superion System, for law enforcement, 911 and emergency management, to provide state of the art communication throughout the County and State. This process has been slow, it’s been painful, but is necessary to remain relevant in Government today.
 
We have made an effort to keep our county investments consistent and proportional for both personnel as well as capital needs.
 
Based on increased security requirements in today’s society and because space became a critical issue, we made the financial and social decision to relocate our judicial system to a historical building of 17,000 square feet, located just across the street from the Courthouse and to continue to remain located on our Historical Square at an amazing per foot cost. We can now boast of a more secure and efficient delivery of our county judicial services to our staff and our citizens, as well as meeting our increasing criminal justice needs.
 
The County has added an expanded employee policy manual that meets the requirements of federal, state and insurance regulations. It is continually reviewed and updated to meet personnel standards.
 
Since 2011 the County has developed a flag and a county seal, and is making an effort to clearly mark all county vehicles in the county fleet.
 
Every County audit has been clean and transparent and our financial rating remains solid.
 
In 2011 the voters approved an earmarked ¼ cent sales tax dedicated to county roads and bridges. As of 2018 we had collected $12,198,444.39 thus enabling us to improve 480 miles of county roads. This tax money is accounted for separately and dispensed to each road district based on the miles in that district.
 
We are presently in the process of renovating the Courthouse and restoring our old historical courtroom for public tours and use during business hours by reservation.
 
Our Sheriff’s department, 911 and emergency management department continue to implement updates in their facilities and radio systems in order to meet the highest standards of the State. Expansion plans for additional bed space are presently underway at the jail facility.
 
We have continued to remain diligent with money expenditures but we recognize the need to remain progressive as the County moves toward First Class Status. I am personally proud of the progress we have accomplished.
 
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being a part of this “decade of growth” for the County that my family has chosen to make our home since 1970.
 
Marilyn Ruestman – Presiding Commissioner, 2011- 2018
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