Cape, Jackson officeholders take Pachyderm Club members' questions

Cape Girardeau and Jackson elected officials on Thursday night gave members of the Southeast Missouri Pachyderm Club a glimpse of how well the city governments handle taxpayer dollars, which infrastructure improvements they would most like to see and how the community approaches economic development.

Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger, along with city council members Wayne Bowen and Loretta Schnei­der, made up a speakers' panel at the club's meeting that included Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr and Alderman Dave Hitt. The panel took three questions from club members.

The Pachyderm Club is an organization of local Republicans and other conservatives. The club holds monthly meetings at Dexter Bar-B-Que that feature a speaker or panel.

Barbara Lohr

Club members first wanted to know about the current financial situation of the cities.

"Anybody who knows the city of Jackson knows we are very fiscally conservative," Lohr said.

Rediger said Cape Girardeau is in a "very good financial position," pointing out that sales tax revenue in the city has recovered from a low point in 2008 and 2009. The city has built back up its fund balance, and is enjoying a 4.79 percent increase in sales tax revenue at the end of the most recent fiscal year when compared to the previous year, Rediger said. City staff reported in July that the fund has grown to roughly $3 million from $416,000 in 2008. The city council also recently approved the fiscal year 2014 budget to include a $2.4 million reduction in overall spending from the previous year's budget.

The panelists also were asked to share a "wish list" of capital and infrastructure improvement projects for the cities.

Topping the list for Cape Girardeau officials were a new transfer station, city hall and public safety center or police station. The condition of all three facilities -- which are aging and falling into disrepair or don't meet the space and functional needs of the city -- are need for those projects to happen, according to Rediger.

Bowen said while not a unique suggestion -- other city council members have previously made the same one -- that the city should fully explore its options for funding its infrastructure needs through use of a dedicated tax or a percentage of another revenue stream.

Lohr said keeping infrastructure in Jackson up to date and in good shape is currently a priority, which is why replacement of water pipes is on that city's most-needed project list. A recent study of Jackson's water system indicated new pipes were needed throughout the city. Upgrades to the city's wastewater treatment facility also are needed because of state regulations Jackson must follow for its treatment processes.

On economic development, Lohr said Jackson, while continuing to grow in the area of residential home sales, is in need of more retail businesses.

"For one thing, that would help us be able to support those projects I just mentioned," she said.

Hitt said business growth and establishment not just in Jackson, but in other adjacent communities, benefits the city by providing jobs and increasing sales tax revenue. Other panelists also touched on the importance of supporting existing businesses.

On economic development in Cape Girardeau, Rediger said he is disappointed two companies, Integrity Solution Services and PolyOne, recently announced plans to lay off workers and close, but he has not given up on finding replacement businesses for both through the work by economic development organizations that is ongoing.

Bowen suggested during closing statements from the panel that more business growth and success could possibly be found by encouraging businesses to work with resource centers, such as the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Southeast Missouri State University.

eragan@semissourian.com

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