Cape Girardeau County Commission renews credit for transit authority

Cape Girardeau County commissioners unanimously agreed to sign a renewal for a loan and line of credit for the Cape County Transit Authority at Monday's meeting. The loan and line of credit are with the Bank of Missouri and were established in September 2007. To date, 27 percent of the $582,673 beginning balance has been repaid by the transit authority.

Tom Mogelnicki, transit authority director, said the agency continues to look for additional partners and contributors. He said the agency is experiencing significant growth and will need to expand soon. The transit authority would like to move to a new building and offer additional routes, including one to Procter & Gamble.

Among the ideas to offset the cost of the expansion is a one-eighth-cent sales tax. He said the agency will never be self-sufficient and the state's most successful transit authorities have a dedicated sales tax.

Also at Monday's meeting, commissioners voted to accept the 2009 audit. The report was produced by Stanley, Dirnberger, Hopper and Associates LLC of Cape Girardeau and showed the county was in compliance with its federal programs. There was one recommendation for the county regarding accounting for the technology fund. Activity on the fund is recorded at the end of the year. The report recommends account activity be monitored monthly.

All first-class counties in Missouri are required to receive an outside audit annually.

Other items

• The commission approved a request to send Charles Hutson and Patti Wibbenmeyer to a circuit clerk's convention in Branson, Mo. The total cost will be $1,893.50, and includes registration, accommodations and travel expenses.
• The commission approved a request from prosecuting attorney Morley Swingle to hire Brittney Halter as a legal secretary in his office. Halter will replace Mira Baranovic, who resigned in July.
• The commission passed a motion to enter into contract negotiations with Koehler Engineering for bridge replacement on County Road 233.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

243-8600

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO