Cape county commission in agreement on purchasing policy, employee handbook

After devoting nearly an hour to close to 20 residents concerned about a rumored quarry, Cape Girardeau's county commissioners heard some good news before making a series of unanimous agreements.

Cape Girardeau County's treasurer, Roger Hudson, told the commission that county sales tax receipts for May are nearly 46 percent higher than the same month last year and 5 percent ahead of projections for 2008.

He said reasons for the surge could range from people paying delinquent taxes or the rise in the prices for gas and goods. Receipts for Proposition 1 taxes were up by 55 percent over last year, he said, cautioning the commissioners not to get too excited over the figure because 2007 was the first year collections were made.

The commissioners approved a purchasing policy. The policy adheres to state limits, which require any purchases more than $6,000 to put let out for formal bids; those costing $500 to $6,000 can be let through an informal bidding process, which does not require advertising, but does require three written proposals or quotes.

Offices supplies priced under $500 can be purchased directly, but "should always reflect the best price possible" the policy states.

The policy requires any technology purchases to be reviewed by the county's information technology department and indicates purchases should be made within the county, so long as the price is within 5 percent of a supplier outside the county.

The commission also agreed to have the county employee handbook updated to include a simplified computer-use policy.

Commissioners opened bids, referring all of them back to county directors for review. Mike's Inc. of South Roxanna, Ill., bid $220,222 and an eight-week delivery for a massive generator.

The commission took delivery on three proposals for the 911 radio dispatch system upgrade and move: Warner Communications Corp., JCS/Telelink (a Motorola franchise dealer) and E.F. Johnson Velocity Electronics.

Bids were also opened for road grading and improvement. On County Road 361 the following were received: Eagle Excavating, $146,100; Burke Trucking, $134,138; Nip Kelley Equipment Company, $252,579.40; A.E. Simpson, $174,310; Tom Buessink Excavating, $158,530; Apex Paving, $267,575; and Jokerst Paving & Contracting, $166,626. For County Road 383 work, bids were: Nip Kelley Equipment Company, $154,330; and A.E. Simpson, $110,075; Apex Paving, $156,552.50; and Jokerst Paving & Contracting, $105,825.

After only one bid was received for the county's May 20 scrap tire collection, Jones instructed Robb McClary, assistant to the commissioners, to research other possibilities.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127