COUNTY TO APPOINT NEW SENIOR BOARD

JACKSON - Members of the Cape Girardeau County Commission are reviewing applications from about two dozen people who have expressed an interest in serving on the Senior Services Board.

The board will be appointed to make recommendations to the commission on how to allocate about $220,000 a year that will be generated from a 5-cent property tax levy approved by county voters April 2. By law, the money can be given only to agencies who provide direct services to elderly residents, aged 60 and over.

"There is no big rush on appointing a board, though hopefully we will have one by July 1," said Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep Monday.

The commission is hoping to appoint a seven member board that represents all areas of the county and is not dominated by any particular group that might apply for part of the funds. Huckstep said he anticipates the board having a good range of ages represented as well.

Since the tax will not be collected until later this year when 1991 tax bills are mailed, Huckstep said there is no real urgency to get a board in place. However, the commissioner said it will take some time for the group to get organized and set up a criteria for groups that want to apply for some of the funds.

Although the board will recommend how to allocate the funds, the county commission has the final say on how the money will be used.

During the campaign for approval of the tax earlier this year, supporters of the tax levy suggested that priorities for the funds would be for expanding meals and transportation to parts of the county where services are not currently being provided.

The law requires that the money be used for programs only and it cannot be used for buildings or entertainment.

There are about 20 agencies in Cape County now that provide services to elderly citizens.