COUNTY APPROVES BUDGET FOR 1994

JACKSON -- With only news media representatives and several county officeholders in attendance, the Cape Girardeau County Commission Monday approved its 1994 budget.

The general operations portion is for $6.09 million, 5.84 percent more than in 1993; the road and bridge budget is for just over $1.7 million, about the same as last year.

Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep, the county's chief budget officer, presented his annual budget message, which is attached to the budget document.

Huckstep said the budget, even with a slight increase, "still leaves the county in sound, healthy condition." He said it is similar to those of previous years, with all items having been carefully scrutinized.

Before Huckstep and Associate Commissioners Larry Bock and E.C. Younghouse could approve the budget, a public hearing had to be held. Huckstep said in his 15 years as presiding commissioner the public has rarely attended the hearings. One exception, he recalled, was several years ago when members of a card club were in the neighborhood and dropped by to see what was going on.

He attributed increases in the county budget primarily to higher costs of insurance, particularly health and workers' compensation coverage, and to a decision to spend about $250,000 to update the county's mainframe computer.

"We can only appreciate the good fortune that Cape Girardeau County's income has been keeping pace with these escalating expenses," said Huckstep in his budget message. "We attempt to hold down expenses, but the county is growing and both state and federal governments are mandating more and more programs on county government but are not sending the funds to support these programs.

"We will still be cautious about spending and encourage all the county family to save where they can. We will also work with our state and federal representatives to stop mandating programs without sending the funds to pay for these programs."

Huckstep expressed concern about the road and bridge budget, which he said is in need of additional revenue.

"If we just maintain the roads and bridges at a minimum level, we will be short of funding the $1.7 million budget," Huckstep said. "We stated in the 1993 budget message that we were gong to take a serious look at the total road and bridge program. That has begun. Commissioner Bock is working on a long-range plan at this time."

Huckstep said that over the years the county has constructed a number of new bridges, some with federal help, and some done exclusively with county funds. He also said the oiling dust-control program has been continued and some limited asphalting done as part of a cost-sharing program between the county and property owners

The presiding commissioner suggested that the need for additional road and bridge revenue be addressed soon.

Said Huckstep: "The problem that exists is not shortage of where to spend, but not enough revenue to even maintain present operation. The county road and bridge tax rate is only 23 cents per hundred and has been that for many years. We also receive some state funds, but with both avenues of income the total can't keep up to the needs of the road and bridge budget. We will attempt to do the best we can with the funds available."

Cape County also has a capital trust account that provides money for emergencies and capital improvements. It has been used over the years to repair flood damage, pay for a county administration building, build bridges and replace major equipment in the highway department, and is the source of funding for the county's participation in an area industrial recruitment group.

The account has a current balance of $3.787 million.

Huckstep commended Auditor H. Weldon Macke, the associate commissioners, County Clerk Rodney Miller and all officeholders for their help in drafting the 1994 budget.

"The officeholders were very conservative in their requests this year," said Huckstep. "We don't want officeholders to make budget requests based on what they think might happen because we have the finances to deal with emergencies that arise, and I think we have a good track record for being willing to deal with unforeseen budget needs.

"The bottom line is Cape Girardeau County is in an enviable position financially compared to other entities. That speaks well for all county employees and officeholders and the jobs they do for the people."