Food ordinance dished up to county commission for second time

A food ordinance first presented nearly a year ago to the Cape Girardeau County Commission made a second trip before commissioners Monday.

The commissioners questioned Amy Morris, environmental public health specialist for the county health department, and department director Charlotte Craig for nearly an hour. The commissioners did not vote on the measure.

The ordinance would give the county health department the authority to close any of the county's 400 food service locations if they cannot comply with laws. The county health department is responsible for food service inspections, but currently must get an order to close an operation from the state.

"It's an albatross. It impedes us," Craig told the commission.

The ability to close a noncompliant restaurant or shop was the cornerstone of the ordinance last year, but business owners strongly objected to annual permit fees that ranged from $270 for grocery stores to $10 for workers' food-handling cards.

A committee with members representing restaurants, county health officials, medical doctors and public schools formed to rework the ordinance.

Pleased with new proposal

After Monday's meeting, Wayne Wallingford and Shannon Davis of McDonald's Restaurants said they were pleased with the new proposal.

Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones also praised the new version of the proposed ordinance and the committee.

Craig said she was so impressed with the committee's work that she hoped its members would continue to meet on a regular basis because "there would be untold benefits."

Among the changes to the proposed ordinance: annual fees for businesses, such as restaurants, bakeries, caterers and convenience stores, would be $120. Grocery stores would pay $30 for each food-related department, with a $300 maximum charge. Public schools, senior centers and not-for-profit food stands would not be charged the annual fee, but food handlers must undergo annual training and obtain a food-handler's card costing $3.

When county treasurer Roger Hudson asked if community organizations or churches would be charged the annual fee for dinners and other annual events, Craig responded emphatically.

"No, no, no. Absolutely not," she said, adding that any group that wants a courtesy inspection could get one.

When Hudson expressed concern that concession stands run by a changing group of adults for such things as school events would be affected, Craig again said no, but added, "That's why I don't buy food from those stands."

Morris said it would be nearly impossible to train such ever-changing groups, but health department officials suggested that, as schools and other strong community organizations send core members for training, better practices could be implemented.

Public hearing to be set

Jones said the commission will set a public hearing date before making a decision. He said most food service establishments wouldn't be seriously affected, because they already comply with or exceed state standards and didn't really need a county ordinance, but "boy, for some of 'em out there, you do."

He also said the process of getting the ordinance approved would likely cause some initial consternation, as did the county's septic tank ordinance some years ago.

"Now we have a pretty model, stalwart septic tank ordinance. After the initial anguish died down, I've not received calls for many years [on it]," he said.

Once approved, any changes would have to be endorsed by both the county health department board and the county commission before going into effect.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127