Cape city council to hold annual retreat

Budget issues will top the agenda when the Cape Girardeau City Council holds its annual retreat today.

The day-long meeting will be held at Black Forest Villages on County Road 638, four miles north of Cape Girardeau. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. and is open to the public.

Mayor Jay Knudtson said the retreat allows the council to review the proposed fiscal 2004 budget in detail. The new fiscal year starts July 1.

"It's really when we dig into the meat of the budget and identify the shortfalls," he said.

Knudtson said the council asked the city staff to develop a budget that doesn't take into account the proposed tax issues on the April 8 ballot.

If the four tax issues pass, the city won't have to look at reducing services, he said. If not, some services like the curbside pick-up of leaves each fall may have to be cut, Knudtson said.

But the mayor said he remains optimistic that the tax issues will pass. The city has proposed a quarter-cent sales tax for fire department needs, a local use tax or sales tax on out-of-state purchases above $2,000, a storm-water fee and extension of a 10-cent property tax.

The proposed taxes are expected to generate $4.13 million a year in additional revenue for the city.

In addition to discussing the budget, the council will hear from city department heads. The retreat is scheduled to wrap up with council members discussing projects they would like to see the city tackle over the next 18 months.

Michael Miller, city manager, said the retreat provides a chance for city staff and the council to review the budget in detail but in a more relaxed setting than could occur in the council chambers at city hall. The rustic retreat includes scheduled morning and afternoon breaks along with lunch.

"It's a full day," said Miller, adding that the council would be hard-pressed to sit in the council chambers all day.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123