City fuel tax money may go to airport upgrades

Cape Girardeau should use some of its motor fuel tax money to help fund airport improvements designed to boost boardings and secure more federal dollars, Mayor Jay Knudtson suggested Thursday.

The city, he said, needs to look to make the best use of the $1.4 million in motor fuel tax money it receives annually.

Knudtson questioned the city staff's plan to spend $656,000 in motor fuel tax money to improve a curve on Kingsway Drive near Lexington Avenue. As part of the project, the Cape LaCroix Trail parking lot bordering Kingsway would be expanded and a foot path built to allow people to more easily reach the trail.

"Is that at this time the best use of $600,000?" Knudtson asked as the city council reviewed a five-year plan of capital improvement projects at a special study session Thursday night at the Osage Community Centre. "That's a big number for a parking lot."

Knudtson said it might be better for the city to use some of that motor fuel tax money to fund the $125,000 match needed to tap into a half-million-dollar federal grant to further subsidize commuter airline service.

The city wants a fourth round-trip commuter flight to St. Louis in an effort to boost boardings at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

Councilman Matt Hopkins suggested the city could look at improving the trail parking lot while holding off on reconstructing the road.

The city traditionally has used motor fuel tax money strictly for road projects. But when questioned by the mayor, city finance director John Richbourg said such tax money probably can be used for airport projects.

About $800,000 is used annually for street department operations. That leaves about $600,000 that is set aside for transportation projects, city planner Kent Bratton said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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