Cape's scrap tire program over budget

Cape Girardeau County's first-ever scrap tire collection is being called "a tremendous success" by one county official. It's going to cost the county more than the $6,000 budgeted, but it's not clear by how much.

"I don't have a number yet because we still have to calculate the equipment and the manpower costs for Saturday," Robb McClary, assistant to the county commissioners, said Thursday. He made the report during the county commission meeting to Associate Commissioners Jay Purcell and Larry Bock. Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones was absent.

The program, funded by a Department of Natural Resources grant of $21,000 and the county's $6,000 match, was intended to collect as many as 8,000 scrap tires. McClary's report to the county commissioners indicates costs so far have totaled $22,157 after 6,252 tires were taken in May 20 and June 21 by county workers, a Teen Challenge team and a Marble Hill, Mo., contractor, McCormick Tire Brokers Inc.

He said Teen Challenge would likely charge about $700. McCormick had requested an extra $710, and overtime for country workers' Saturday shift had not yet been calculated.

Purcell and Bock rejected McCormick's request. Company owner David McCormick said he would appeal.

The contractor said he needed the extra money after the May 20 cleanup netted an overwhelming 20 tons of tractor tires; he had to hire a recycling subcontractor. McCormick also helped the county dispose of an unexpected 1-ton tire during the May 20 collection, which cost him $250 to dispose, "not including transportation, fuel and manpower."

Still, he said he's glad he took the job.

"I wouldn't be disappointed if they didn't give me the 700 or so dollars we discussed. I'll learn my lesson and go on."

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127