Perryville voters to decide on chief selection process Nov. 5

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Perryville Board of Aldermen on Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance providing for a ballot measure to change the way the city chooses its police chief.

Under state law, Perryville -- which is incorporated as a fourth-class city -- must elect a city marshal to serve as chief unless residents vote to let city leaders appoint a chief instead.

Last month, the board accepted an advisory committee's recommendation to ask voters to change the chief selection process in the wake of former chief Keith Tarrillion's resignation. Tarrillion stepped down in March after an investigation into multiple allegations by subordinates.

Because he was an elected official, had Tarrillion chosen not to resign, the only way to remove him from office would have been through formal impeachment proceedings.

If voters approve the ballot measure, the board could begin its search for a new chief immediately after the Nov. 5 election, Gahan has said.

If they reject it, Lt. Direk Hunt will continue to serve as interim chief until April.

Also on Tuesday, the board:

* Discussed the possibility of creating a downtown festival district designed to increase revenue to local businesses during concerts and festivals.

* Approved a request from the Downtown Revitalization Committee to host a "Rocktoberfest" on Sept. 26 and 27.

* Approved a joint resolution with Perry County asking the state and federal agriculture departments to expand an anticipated firewood quarantine to the entire state. Local business owners have expressed concern that county-by-county quarantines could put them out of business while doing little to confine the spread of the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle.

* Passed a pair of emergency ordinances establishing the 2013-2014 property tax rate. City administrator Brent Buerck said the rate isn't changing, but impending deadlines necessitated quick passage of the ordinances.

* Passed an emergency ordinance entering into a grant agreement with federal, state and county agencies to build an industrial park bypass. Looming deadlines and the number of government entities involved in the agreement made it necessary to fast-track the measure, Buerck told the board.

* Reviewed a notice that will be sent to local water customers, informing them two water samples tested positive for coliform bacteria in July. Buerck said coliforms are used to warn of other possible contaminants. He said subsequent tests came up negative, and water customers never were in any danger. But the Missouri Department of Natural Resources requires the city to notify them of the positive tests.

epriddy@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

215 N. West St., Perryville, MO