Perry County sales-tax extension would fund courthouse, park repairs

Perry County’s historic courthouse needs some major repairs. So too does the Perry Park Center.

Both facilities would get major upgrades if voters agree April 5 to extend an existing three-eighth-cent sales tax for another 20 years.

Approved in 1996, the tax generated the revenue necessary to build the Park Center. The county government built the park center and owns it. The city of Perryville operates the center.

The tax is set to expire March 31, 2017, unless voters extend it.

In addition to funding several million dollars of major upgrades to the courthouse and park center, the tax money would be used for improvements to public parks and the county administration building.

The Perry Park Center is seen Friday in Perryville, Missouri.Glenn Landberg

The courthouse is one of the most visible landmarks in Perryville, county and city officials said. County Clerk Jared Kutz said the courthouse, built in 1904, has been nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. Kutz said county officials expect a final decision on the nomination soon.

"It is one of the most beautiful courthouses in the state of Missouri," Presiding Commissioner Carl Lueckel Jr. said,

But the structure needs a lot of repairs, structurally and cosmetically, he said. Improvements could cost $1.5 million.

The county commission wants to replace the windows, improve courtroom security and lighting, restore painted surfaces, install new air conditioning, upgrade the electrical system and replace the roof. Security improvements would include metal detectors and cameras.

The administration building, a former bank that houses county offices, also needs repairs, Lueckel said.

As for the Park Center, city administrator Brent Buerck said an engineering firm has estimated the center needs as much as $4.5 million in upgrades, including heating and air-conditioning improvements and replacement of a dehumidifying system for the indoor pool. Buerck said the system is "shot," and the pool decking has deteriorated.

"Pools are expensive," he said.

The dehumidifier equipment is essential to preventing mold in the building. Replacing it could cost as much as $900,000, the city administrator said. Replacing the HVAC system could cost another $2.5 million. In addition, the Park Center's tile floor is cracked and needs replacing.

A number of other park improvements are planned if voters approve the tax measure.

"The neighborhood parks need attention," Buerck said.

Planned improvements include redevelopment of the Chamber of Commerce (Feltz Street) Park, lighting for soccer and baseball fields, redevelopment of School Street Park and playground, installation of an outdoor splash pad, addition of lights along hiking/biking trails, redevelopment of Northdale and French Lane parks, rehabilitation of baseball fields including infield surfaces, fences and backstops, as well as development of a baseball/softball complex, a dog park and a walking trail.

Lueckel said the tax generates about $864,000 annually.

Lueckel and Buerck said more than 50 percent of the sales tax revenue would be generated by visitors.

Lueckel said the county commission wanted to include a sunset clause that would have the tax again expire after 20 years unless there is another extension. The presiding commissioner said that will allow the commission to re-evaluate the tax at that time.

If voters don't extend the sales tax next week, the county government would be hard-pressed to address all the needed repairs.

"The buildings are getting old, old, old. It would be a stress on our general revenue," Lueckel said.

Officials said Perry County residents have a good quality of life. Extending the tax will help keep it that way, they said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

800 City Park Ln., Perryville, Mo.

15 W. Ste. Maries St., Perryville, Mo.

321 N. Main St., Perryville, Mo.