Cape County Commission will not allow metal scavenging

The Cape Girardeau County Commission decided Thursday that metal scavengers would not be allowed to scan the county courthouse grounds for items of historical or monetary value.

County Clerk Kara Clark Summers brought a request to the commission on behalf of a local man who said he would turn over any items of historical value to the county.

Commissioner Jay Purcell said he was against setting a precedent that would allow private individuals to dig on county grounds. Presiding Commissioner Clint Tracy and Commissioner Paul Koeper agreed.

In other business:

* Commissioners approved the purchase of 12 metal culverts ranging from 24 to 156 feet in length from Metal Culverts, Inc. of Jefferson City, Mo., at a bid of $16,468.96, which was $425.36 lower than the other bidder, Contech Engineered Solutions, LLC of West Chester, Ohio.

* The Cape Girardeau County Juvenile Detention Center monthly report was reviewed. Daily school services were provided to boys a total of 25 times. The total number for girls was 39. Daily attendance rates ranged from zero to nine students.

* The tentative 2012 budget for the Cape Girardeau County Mental Health Board was examined by the commission. Income and interest from the county mill tax was estimated at $838,379.49. The board had a balance in checking and savings at the end of 2011 of 421,419.58.

The Mental Health Board is responsible for administering public funds to establish, operate or purchase services from community mental health services, mental health clinics or comprehensive mental health providers in Cape Girardeau County.

Local agency expenditures for 2012 were projected at $818,000. Community Counseling Center is slated to receive $575,000, followed by New Vision Counseling at $80,000, Gibson Center at $50,000, Women's Safe House at $40,000, Lutheran Family Services at $33,000, Family Counseling Center at $25,000 and Beacon Health Center (formerly called the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence) at $15,000.

salderman@semissourian.com

388-3648

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Sq., Jackson, MO