COUNTY SET FOR MOVE TO FIRST CLASS; CHANGES WILL BE SUBTLE BUT YIELDS BENEFICIAL

When Cape Girardeau countians wake up Wednesday, they will be starting the new year in a brand new first-class county.

But hardly anyone will notice the difference.

Members of the Cape Girardeau County Commission said changes resulting from the move from second- to first-class status will be largely administrative. However, shifts in responsibilities and increased powers will result.

The shift to first class is mandatory under state statutes when a county maintains a total assessed valuation of $450 million or more for five consecutive years. Cape Girardeau County's assessed valuation for 1996 exceeded $572 million.

While the change in class status will be barely noticeable to county residents -- and even some county officials and employees -- Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said the move will yield a number of benefits. Jones said he doesn't believe going first class carries a downside.

Many of the provisions in state statutes that allow first-class counties to add positions or operate differently than second-class counties will not be implemented by the commission. However, the provisions provide the county with mechanisms to make changes to keep up with growth and increased demand for services.

"Down the road as the county grows our capability to serve will be better," said Jones. "People in Cape County are used to good services now, and they will continue to get good services when we go first class."

The primary advantage of being first class is the commission will have more say concerning county matters.

"There is a lot more local authority for first-class counties," Jones said.

That authority includes the power to pass ordinances to deal with local issues.

"The way county government works, a small city has more authority than we have," Jones said. "We don't even have authority over dogs running loose."

Commissioner Larry Bock said a nuisance abatement ordinance, which would include the animal-control issue, could be the first ordinance the commission passes. Another major item likely to be addressed by a nuisance abatement ordinance would also be illegal dumping in the county.

Local authority would also be increased concerning speed limits in unincorporated areas. The commission will be allowed to set limits on state highways as well local roads as it sees fit, providing that proposed limits do not exceed maximums set in state law.

Sheriff John Jordan will have more control over his department in regard to personnel and vehicles.

In second-class counties, sheriffs' departments are limited to one patrol car per every 5,000 residents; first-class counties are allowed as many vehicles as deemed necessary.

Also, the sheriff, with the approval of the county commission, will decide the number of deputies in his department and have discretion concerning their salaries. Currently such matters are decided by the circuit court judges for the county.

A number of duties for county officials will be shifted or eliminated.

The offices of highway engineer and county surveyor will be abolished. The duties of both offices will be assumed by the new position of highway administrator. The person holding the position will be appointed by the county commission and serve at its pleasure.

The county also has the option of appointing a county counselor to represent the county in civil matters and to write its ordinances.

However, Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle's office will continue to handle the county's legal matters. An additional assistant prosecutor was added to Swingle's staff last year to offset any increase in work for the office. Jones said the additional workload shouldn't be great.

"They don't get that much business from us," Jones said.

The county also pushed for a change in state law earlier this year to avoid having to hire a medical examiner to replace its coroner.

First-class counties are required to have medical examiners, which could cost Cape Girardeau County in excess of $150,000 annually, compared to the $8,000 salary paid to current County Coroner John Carpenter. The new law passed by the state legislature exempts Cape Girardeau County from that requirement.

Not having to hire a medical examiner and a county counselor saved the county considerably. "Between the two we'll save about a quarter of a million dollars," Bock said.

In the other major duty shift, County Auditor Weldon Macke will become the county's chief budget officer. Previously, the presiding commissioner held that post, although in Cape Girardeau County's case the change is in name only as the auditor has always prepared the county budget.

"That's the way we've been doing it so we will not see any changes take place," Jones said. "Our method of operation will be the same."