EQUAL PARTNERS?: DEVELOPMENT GROUP HITS THORNY ISSUE

JACKSON - Monday's meeting of a group trying to develop a countywide economic development organization resulted in some frank discussion but no new action toward completing its work.

Discussion focused on the roles of the city of Scott City and the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, where the director's office would be situated, and the authority of a seven-member board that would oversee the organization.

It was the sixth meeting of the group, which met for the first time on May 28.

Scott City Mayor Larry Forhan expressed concern about comments that had been made by some committee members that Scott City was not contributing enough money to the group. Under an earlier tentative agreement, Scott City was given one vote on the seven member board, with an annual contribution of $5,000 toward the overall $150,000 annual budget.

Forhan sought to clarify Scott City's position in the group. "I can't understand why people have said Scott City is not paying enough," said Forhan. "It was my understanding that we were all going to try and work together for the good of the group. We feel like we have got to be equal partners in this."

Forhan said, "Scott City is in a very unique situation" because a portion of its city is in Cape Girardeau County and its residents spend much of their money in Cape Girardeau.

"We're under no misunderstanding," he said. "Our $5,000 is not going to make or break this group."

Forhan said Scott City's location and relationship with Cape County makes it a natural to be part of the group. He pointed out that cooperative agreements are already in place for law enforcement and fire protection between his city and other cities in Cape County.

Before going further with the group, Forhan said he wanted two agreements: that all members of the seven-member board would have to be included in any location tours by industrial prospects so that all areas are shown; and that all contributions to the group should be in cash, with no in-kind contributions.

The first concern was not discussed further. The in-kind contribution issue was aimed toward the possibility that some entity in the group would provide office space as part of its contribution. The group concluded the solution was having all entities pay their agreed amounts, and then have the organization pay them for office space or utilities.

Forhan said the contributing entities should sign contracts verifying their financial commitments.

Forhan asked the group whether anyone felt Scott City should be paying more than $5,000 a year. Cape County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep replied, "I for one believe it should."

Walt Wildman, executive director of the Regional Commerce and Growth Association, said on a per-capita basis Scott City was paying more than anyone else.

But John Mehner, chairman of the board of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, challenged Wildman's assessment. He declared that with 1,100 members and a pending commitment of $25,000 a year, on a per capita basis, "We are paying way more than anybody else involved."

Mehner said in helping decide what a financial commitment would be, the ratio of dollars to people was never taken into consideration.

Huckstep said $5,000 of $150,000 is a "small amount" and perhaps intent needs to be looked at.

Forhan also sought to clarify the contribution issue, saying he wanted it settled Monday. "I don't want to walk out of here and read in the paper tomorrow that we're not paying enough," said the mayor.

"Don't get paranoid," replied Huckstep.

"We're not paranoid," said Forhan.

Wildman said: "I caution you not to let the newspaper set the agenda for this group."

Cape Girardeau Mayor Gene Rhodes agreed with Forhan that residents of Scott City spend a lot of money in Cape Girardeau and that the two cities are closely linked. He said people in the entire area benefit from a new industry regardless of where it is.

"I'd like to keep a positive attitude on this," said Rhodes. "We all need to work together."

Forhan did not get a clear answer to his concern about paying enough. "Either we are paying enough or not paying enough," said the mayor.

Huckstep said action next week by the board of the Cape Girardeau chamber may have an impact on the organization's funding. The board meets Sept. 1, and will decide whether to officially contribute $25,000 a year to the group.

"If we lose one party here, with $25,000, it will be a little more difficult to put this together," said Huckstep.

Mehner said the Cape Girardeau chamber intended to submit a proposal to the board to have the director situated in office space it has available.

Forhan said Scott City would be against having the director's office in the office of the Cape Girardeau chamber and Steve Popp of the Jackson chamber told Mehner "it would be a tough sell."

Mehner said he could not understand the opposition to having it in the chamber office.

"There is a feeling that it would be dominated by the Cape chamber," said Hitt. "That's not necessarily fair, but that is a feeling."

Forhan said he agreed with Hitt's assessment.

But Mehner said that for three years the Cape Girardeau chamber had an economic development director it paid for with its own funds, and two of the three major businesses recruited by the director did not situate in Cape Girardeau. He said the Cape Girardeau chamber has a long record of trying to bring industry to the whole area.

"I can't understand why this is a problem," said Mehner. "If there is that much negativity toward the Cape chamber, maybe we ought to get out and let the cities proceed with it."

Mehner said the Cape Girardeau chamber would make a proposal to provide space for the director, but, "Our making a pitch is not to dominate it. The guy still responds to a seven-member board of which the Cape Chamber has one member."

Wildman said the board would have total control over the person, and agreed with Mehner that it would be unlikely the chamber would have undue control. Its role would be as a landlord.

Huckstep said the county has space available in the basement of the courthouse, but he did not believe the space was conducive to impressing industrial prospects. He added, however, that the county would provide space if necessary.

Hitt said the Jackson chamber might also submit a proposal for office space.

But Jackson City Administrator Carl Talley said discussions over location were premature. "I could care less where anything is if we can get results," Talley said.

"Who the person is and what he will do is the most important," said Popp.

After more discussion, Mehner said he would advise the chamber board that the final seven-member board would make a decision on location. The chamber board, if it agrees to participate, would also appoint a permanent board member.

Forhan said once bylaws are drafted he would like to see consideration given to some kind of veto power by the entities involved.

But Huckstep said he did not think that was proper since each entity would be able to agree to the bylaws before they are enacted and could appoint board members that reflect their views and interests.

Wildman urged the group to not let "extemporaneous comments" impact their decisions. He urged members "not to let things said outside this group affect it."

The next meeting of the committee will be Sept. 14 at 1:30 p.m. in the county commission's chambers in Jackson.