CAPE CITY COUNCIL BACKS TRUST FUND FOR TRANSPORTATION MONEY

If voters approve a transportation tax, the money will go into a trust fund to ensure it is used as intended, Cape Girardeau City Council members said Wednesday.

Council members said they plan to formally establish the trust fund next month in advance of the Aug. 8 election on the five-year, half-cent sales tax measure.

Councilman Richard Eggimann said he would oppose the tax without a trust fund.

"It is a must in my book," he said. Without a trust fund, there isn't any certainty the tax money will be spent solely on transportation projects.

The only question is whether all road and bridge money will go into the trust fund or just transportation sales tax dollars. The city currently receives motor fuel tax revenue and other money for road and bridge projects.

The Planning and Zoning Commission wants all the money put in the fund.

But Eggimann said he would prefer to put only the transportation tax money in the trust fund.

"I think the concern is what is going to happen with the money from the tax," Eggimann said.

The tax would generate an estimated $17 million over five years.

Mayor Al Spradling III said the city already spends earmarked money such as motor fuel tax revenue on road and bridge projects.

He said a trust fund would formalize what is already being done.

Councilman Tom Neumeyer said, "There is no controversy on this thing. The concept is a good idea."

Councilman Melvin Gateley said some city residents have questioned if the transportation tax money would be spent on road and bridge projects as the council has promised.

Gateley said a trust fund would be a "safety procedure" to ensure that the projects will be done.