1989 deed transfer still has loose ends

Nobody disagrees that Cape Girardeau County owns valuable industrial property housing VIP Industries, a sheltered workshop for the developmentally disabled with operations in Cape Girardeau and Fruitland.

VIP borrowed the money to purchased the properties. But the loans were paid with property tax proceeds by the county Sheltered Workshop/Handicapped Facility Board, commonly called the SB40 Board.

But questions remain why the deeds were signed over to the county in 1989 but never recorded and, if new documents must be prepared to transfer the property correctly, whether the ownership should be with the county generally or the SB40 Board directly.

When the issue of ownership was first raised recently, the signed deeds were found tucked inside a file in the County Administration Building. Hilary Schmittzehe, chief executive of VIP, said he's not to blame if the county didn't act on the deeds. "It was in a folder, but nobody ever recorded it," he said.

By law, the SB40 Board is allowed to own property. Dory Johnson, vice chairwoman of the board, said the board is seeking legal advice but that putting the property into public hands is imperative. "It should be done as soon as possible," she said.

Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones wants the property in the county's name with a restriction that, if sold, the money would be used only for helping the developmentally disabled. "It is going to be in the name of Cape Girardeau County. We have no properties assigned to any of our appointed boards," he said.

Associate Commissioner Jay Purcell, who began looking at the issues between the SB40 Board and VIP Industries at the board's request, said the property should be in the board's name. In addition, Purcell said a thorough audit should be done to determine if any other property now in the hands of VIP Industries or a related entity rightfully belong, in whole or in part, to the county. Schmittzehe said all real estate, including two apartment buildings and a group home, as well as almost all fixtures and equipment, is owned by VIP or its affiliated not-for-profits and that the county has no claim.

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