Cape Girardeau County Commission to discuss holding night budget meetings

When the Cape Girardeau County Commission discusses the 2010 budget it could do so in the evening hours.

During today's commission meeting associate commissioner Jay Purcell proposed placing on the Nov. 16 agenda the idea of holding night-time meetings. Purcell -- who has long advocated meetings during the evening hours -- said the move would allow for more constituents to attend the budget hearings.

"If a lot of citizens attend, we may go to permanent night-time meetings," Purcell said. "If we get more citizen involvement and if it's an idea that makes county government more accessible, why wouldn't we want to do that?"

Presiding commissioner Gerald Jones told Purcell he had no problem with placing the item on the agenda. Jones asked Purcell why Thursday wasn't a good day to discuss the item.

"I don't know why we have to wait another week to discuss it," Jones said.

Purcell said that Thursday's meeting already had several items scheduled for discussion and that more time was needed to talk about the idea.

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO