HUCKSTEP MAKES PTICH FOR ZONING PLAN; COMMISSIONER SAYS COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN SOLID CONDITION

Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep said he hopes voters will approve a zoning plan for the county in the November general election because it is essential for orderly growth.

"If this county is going to progress, if this county is going to grow, then we must have planning and zoning," said Huckstep at the Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee.

He noted that zoning is important to the future growth of cities in the county because it will insure that potential growth areas are attractive and properly developed.

The zoning issue was placed on the Nov. 3 ballot by a petition process because some citizens were unhappy with the plan drafted by the county planning commission.

Huckstep admits there are no easy solutions to zoning.

"There will never be county zoning that appears fair to everybody. Fair is in the eyes of the beholder," said Huckstep.

He added, "There is a lot of misinformation out there on zoning. Before the election, we want to get the true facts out."

Zoning was just one of several issues the presiding commissioner touched on at the monthly chamber gathering, which Huckstep generally addresses the meeting once a year.

Huckstep also raised doubts about the success of efforts to form a county industrial development committee. The county, cities of Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City and the respective chambers of commerce have been meeting since May trying to form a group. Huckstep is chairing the group's initial meetings.

"I must say, in all honesty, I have questions about the possible success of this organization," said Huckstep. "A lot of egos are involved and some coveted territories. It just will not work without everyone willing to sacrifice for the good of the group."

Huckstep continued to insist that any entity that wanted to be part of the group must contribute toward the costs. "If you don't pay, you don't play," said Huckstep.

"The county is willing to participate, but only on an equal basis."

Huckstep maintained that taking a regional approach to industrial development makes sense because when new industry locates anywhere in an area, everyone will benefit.

Huckstep told the chamber members that Cape Girardeau County government is in sound financial condition, with a $5.5 million general revenue budget, a $1.8 million road and bridge budget and $2.5 million in reserve funds.

Referring to the reserve fund, Huckstep noted, "That seems to be the fund that is the target of a lot of special interests."

Huckstep said many see the reserve fund as a new source of funding for services and programs they can no longer afford. But Huckstep said the commissioners are keeping a close eye on the reserve because they see the need to have a good emergency fund.

A natural disaster like the recent hurricane in the Miami area could force the county to seek a tax increase to fund restoration efforts if there was no reserve, commented Huckstep. He pointed out that a 1986 flood cost the county $750,000 to replace and repair damaged county roads and bridges.

"We need to save money back for a rainy day. That is the purpose of this fund," said Huckstep.

He noted that 10 years ago the county commission was able to set the general revenue property tax rate at zero and has been able to maintain that.

"We can keep it that way if we continue to operate in a careful and austere manner," said Huckstep.

Another key to the county's financial condition is the commission's policy of keeping close tabs on proposed new programs.

Uncertainty over sales tax revenue and a drop in interest rates have threatened the county's financial stability, he said.

In the last three budget messages he has delivered, Huckstep said he has warned about the growth of the criminal justice system.

"The cost of the criminal justice system is going to devour local governments," contended Huckstep.

He said individual judges and law enforcement officers are not to be blamed in Cape Girardeau County, but declared the system out of control and, to an extent, not working. Huckstep contended the juvenile system is particularly dysfunctional.

He added that the solution to criminal justice problems is not to throw all offenders in jail, but admitted it is a complex problem. "If we built a 200-person jail it would be full in six months," noted Huckstep.

"For local governments to get their acts together we need to get a handle on this," he said.

Huckstep said the new Enhanced-911 emergency telephone system is halfway through the process of implementation and going very well under the direction of a special committee appointed by the commission.

"That system should be totally on line next year," remarked Huckstep.

The presiding commissioner cited the county park, Veterans Home and Missouri Department of Conservation Nature Center as examples of positive developments in Cape Girardeau County.

Huckstep also praised associate commissioners E.C. Younghouse and Leonard Sander for their efforts and noted that the county has a strong group of officeholders and employees committed to serving the public.