CITY TO HOLD BUYOUT MEETING THURSDAY

Cape Girardeau city officials Thursday will explain the 1995 flood buyout program to affected property owners and tenants from the Red Star and Smelterville neighborhoods.

The public meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Red Star Baptist Church at 1301 N. Main.

Officials from the city, the State Emergency Management Agency and the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission will answer questions and take applications.

Officials will discuss buyout eligibility requirements, buyout priorities, relocation assistance and the program schedule.

About 100 letters will be sent to property owners and tenants of houses that are at the lowest elevation and were the most seriously flooded in 1993 and 1995.

The city plans to contract with Brian Balsman of the planning commission in Perryville to administer the buyout and relocation program at a maximum cost of $25,735.

The cost is included in the $742,000 the city received in state and federal funds for the program, said Ken Eftink, development services coordinator for the city.

Eftink said Thursday's meeting will be the only public session with the property owners and tenants.