One Scott County township may shift commission districts

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County's second district commissioner may hand off a township to the first district's representative.

County commissioners looked at their redistricting options during their regular meeting Tuesday.

Due to population changes as found by the 2010 census, county commission district lines must be redrawn. State statutes require districts to be contiguous and have populations as close to equal as possible without splitting existing political townships.

The first district, which currently includes the Richland and Rootwad townships located at the southern end of the county, are represented by Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn.

The second district, which includes the Moreland, Commerce, Kelso, Sandywoods, Tywappity, Sylvania and Morley townships, is represented by Commissioner Donnie Kiefer.

According to the 2010 census, the county now has a total of 39,191 residents, down slightly from the 2000 Census figure of 40,422.

"Richland, which is Sikeston and Miner, lost some people," Ziegenhorn said.

With the Richland township having 2,412 people fewer people, Kiefer said, the second district now has 3,105 more people than the first district has.

Commissioners are considering moving the Morley Township into the first district which would result in the first district having only 323 more people than the second district.

"We're just going to make sure it's the best option," Kiefer said.

The change must be in place for the next election cycle which begins in February.

In other business during Tuesday's meeting:

* Commissioners are hoping Scott County will be added to the list of Missouri counties included in the Presidential disaster declaration.

Amber Scudder, emergency management director and Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger plan to tour the county with Mark Winkler, coordinator for State Emergency Management Agency's Area E; and a Federal Emergency Management Agency representative Friday for an initial assessment of the flood damage.

"It should ease a lot of people's concerns to know our assessment hasn't been done yet," Ziegenhorn said. He said that he may also go on the tour Friday.

* Kiefer noted sales tax receipts for May are up $28,831.87 as compared with May 2010.