Area officials tell of accomplishments, challenges at forum

Members of the public had a chance to hear updates from area school and government officials Wednesday night at a town-hall meeting hosted by the League of Women Voters of Southeast Missouri and the Cape Girardeau and Jackson chambers of commerce.

Cape Girardeau School District superintendent Dr. James Welker, Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr, Cape Girardeau councilman and mayor pro tem Mark Lanzotti and Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Clint Tracy were the featured guest speakers. They spoke on the biggest accomplishments in 2014 by their respective municipalities and issues facing them this year. Those attending were invited to ask the speakers questions at the end of the event.

Jackson

The city of Jackson had plenty to celebrate in 2014, its bicentennial. Lohr commended the residents and businesses who made the monthly celebrations possible and noted plenty of work took place in the midst of the festivities. Much was focused on maintenance and future improvements.

"If you're 200 years old, think about the upgrades you're going to need," Lohr said.

One of the biggest issues still to be addressed in Jackson is traffic. Congestion at the intersection of Main Street and U.S. 61 has been a problem for many years, Lohr said, but a plan is in the works to address it. The city entered a cost-sharing agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation about four years ago to find a solution. Last month, MoDOT officials brought the results of traffic studies to the Jackson Board of Aldermen and told it they believe the best solution is a roundabout.

Lohr said the board agreed with the recommendation and is "ready to proceed with the roundabout." The project is estimated to cost about $1.5 million.

Lohr said the city is trying to be cognizant of traffic issues that could crop up in the future. That's why a new stoplight will be placed near the new East Elementary School. The stoplight at East Main and Lacey streets should be operating before the school opens, she said.

In the past, Lohr said new schools were built and traffic issues were handled after the fact. That's why the city took steps to be more proactive with East Elementary, she said.

Cape Girardeau schools

Like Jackson, Welker said Cape Girardeau public schools have experienced growth over the years. A swelling student body and ongoing maintenance and security concerns with existing facilities prompted officials to look at some of the biggest needs. In 2008, a facility planning committee analyzed facilities to make a long-range plan. As a result, a $40 million bond issue was taken to voters in 2010 to fund projects such as the replacement of Franklin Elementary School and Kinder Performance Hall.

The bond issue was approved and Welker said those projects -- all Phase I of the overall plan -- were finished by 2013.

The most recent bond issue approved by the school board will appear on the April ballot as Proposition 1 and asks voters to approve a $20 million bond issue. The measure, which is Phase II of the plan, will pay for roof replacements, parking improvements and other needs.

The biggest project would be removing the old gymnasium at Central Junior High to replace it with a facility that would house administration and student services offices, science labs and a practice gym. Another key project is an extension at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center to house classes for health-care services and more space for the Cape College Center, a partnership of Mineral Area College, Southeast Missouri State University and Three Rivers College.

City of Cape Girardeau

Lanzotti said 2014 was a busy year for Cape Girardeau. It was the year the city celebrated switchover to its new wastewater plant, announced Pepsi MidAmerica as the first tenant at the Greater Cape Girardeau Business Park and voter renewal of the fire sales tax that will help make funds available for equipment upgrades, replace a fire station and build a new police station.

This year, Lanzotti said the theme is "renovation, renewal and rehabilitation." The city is in its second round of the Neighborhood Development Initiative, which he said is helping the city build stronger connections with neighborhoods and point them to the resources to improve and unite their community.

Neighborhood needs also are playing a large role in the upcoming renewal of the Transportation Trust Fund. The half-cent, pay-as-you-go sales tax comes up for voter approval in August. While TTF has historically funded expansions and new projects, the focus of the newest round is maintaining the existing system.

Cape Girardeau County

Presiding Commissioner Clint Tracy said it was no coincidence each speaker of the night took time to discuss facility needs. The county is looking at consolidating court services in Jackson in a new courthouse that would be built near the jail. While the county takes pride in the historical Common Pleas and Jackson courthouses it uses, Tracy said it's difficult to ignore safety and accessibility issues in both buildings.

To build a new courthouse -- and complete other components of the plan, such as razing of the administration building and constructing a parking garage -- the county must identify a funding source. The county had the options of a sales tax, property tax or use tax, and Tracy said county officials identified sales tax as more preferable to the public than a property tax.

County commissioners ultimately chose to pursue a use tax, which is charged on certain out-of-state purchases. Tracy said it was "the least impactful because most people don't even pay it."

Voters will decide in April whether they want to approve the 1 percent use tax.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

711 N. Clark St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.