Commissioners look at new ways of doing business

Seeking to improve the way the Cape Girardeau County Commission conducts meetings and records its decisions, Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones proposed meeting guidelines Monday.

The proposed policy would limit the commission to making decisions on agenda items only. Discussion on items not on the agenda would be allowed, but those topics would not be voted on until a later meeting when they are listed as action items on the agenda.

Jones told the two other commissioners, Joe Gambill and Larry Bock, to look over the policy and come back with possible additions or deletions on Thursday when the commission may adopt the policy.

Currently, the commission meets on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until noon. The meetings are as much for availability and information-gathering purposes as they are for conducting business.

The commission office releases agendas to media outlets prior to each of the meetings, but the commission often makes decisions on items not listed on the agendas.

Agenda items

For example, the commission recently voted to put the public defenders' building up for sale. The topic was not listed on that day's agenda, although Gambill said there had been much discussion over the last few months to move the public defenders into vacant space at the sheriff's department.

County officials frequently show up during the commission's regularly scheduled three-hour sessions to ask questions, submit information or seek direction from the commission. Sometimes the commission immediately makes a decision on requests.

Jones' policy would put an end to many of on-the-spot decisions. If an item is not on the agenda but is discussed on a Monday, a vote could be taken on Thursday.

Cape Girardeau and Jackson's city governments operate much the same way. Both councils hold open study sessions and later vote on issues.

Concern over vote

Jones' proposed policy comes in the wake of a vote concerning an emergency provision for the county's 911 board to make a purchase without having to seek bids.

When a local communications business challenged that decision, the commission had nothing in its minutes showing it voted for the emergency designation.

Gambill and Bock said they remember discussing the issue and giving the go-ahead. But apparently no vote was taken.

Jones wants votes on all decisions to be recorded.

"Things escape us so much," Jones said. "Sometimes we talk about it and don't put it in the minutes. From now on, everything will require a vote, no matter what. There have been some things that for the life of me, I don't remember happening. If they're in the minutes, I know it's just me forgetting."

Bock and Gambill did not voice any opposition to Jones' policy suggestions.

County Clerk Rodney Miller, who attends the commission meetings, said the commission might be tying its hands somewhat if it adopts this policy.

He said that with a formal agenda, the commission will need to make a motion to deviate from the agenda when other topics come up. He also said that the commission needs to make administrative assistant Donna Burk, who keeps the minutes, clearly aware of what belongs in the minutes and what should be placed on the agenda.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635