Cape plan calls for casino revenue to be shared with other communities

Some of the proceeds generated by a casino in Cape Girardeau would be used to help pay for capital projects and equipment purchases in the county, Jackson and Scott City, according to a revenue-sharing plan adopted by city leaders.

The Cape Girardeau City Council on Monday adopted a plan to be sent to the Missouri Gaming Commission by Oct. 1. Part of that plan includes a section on revenue-sharing, which calls for 3 percent of the city's net gaming tax revenue to be used in those communities. That would add up to about $90,000 a year

The gaming commission requires that revenue-sharing be included in a city's plan, said LeAnn McCarthy, commission spokesman.

"It's one of the components we look at when granting a license," she said.

While plans haven't been finalized, Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger said he envisions putting together a city advisory board made up of representatives from Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City to hear grant proposals from those communities for capital projects and equipment. The board would make recommendations to the council, which would have the final say.

"We really haven't gotten into the logistics of it yet," he said. "But we want it to be a grant-type program. Those communities could submit simple requests with an outline of the project."

Isle of Capri is looking to bring a $125 million casino to Cape Girardeau and operates a similar casino in Boonville. Boonville city administrator Irl Tessendorf said that city has been sharing revenue with other entities inside and outside its community a few years after the casino opened.

In its current fiscal year, Boonville is giving $260,000 to other governmental bodies, primarily law enforcement.

"There was some concern about the impact of a casino on law enforcement and traffic," he said. "None of it proved to be warranted, but we still are giving money to those agencies."

For example, in fiscal 2009, Boonville gave the Cooper County Sheriff's Department $43,750 and the county prosecuting attorney's office $25,000, he said. In nearby Howard County, Boonville gave the sheriff's department $31,250 and the prosecutor's office $18,750.

In New Franklin, a small town close to Boonville, the city gave the police department $12,500. Nearby Moniteau County got $5,000, and the Mid-Missouri Unified Strike team and Narcotics Group got $25,0000.

Six smaller towns in Boonville's Cooper County got $1,000 grants each.

"So we've tried to be really involved with revenue sharing," he said.

Meanwhile, leaders from the local communities that stand to see some of the proceeds from a Cape Girardeau casino said they're interested in learning more.

Cape Girardeau County Commissioner Paul Koeper said there has been little talk with the county about the revenue-sharing proposal.

"I need to look at the whole picture and see what other counties are doing," he said. "I will definitely make it a point to find out more."

smoyers@semissourian.com

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