PORT AUTHORITY TONNAGE OFF TO BIG START IN '93 SHOULD SURPASS LAST YEAR

SCOTT CITY - The Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority in 1992 set a record for net tonnage handled with about 75,000 tons. Based on the first month of 1993, that record is likely going to be surpassed well before this year is over.

In January, 14,440 net tons were handled - about a fifth of last year's record mark.

Mysie Keene, chairman of the port's board of commissioners, explained that the tonnage figures include six barges of petroleum coke that will pass through every month, and a new product, pine bark mulch.

"We are very pleased with these tonnage figures," said Keene.

Executive Director Allan Maki asked the board whether it wanted to consider endorsing a quarter-cent sales tax for non-highway transportation needs in the state that would include more funding for Missouri's port authorities.

Maki explained that he served on a special state task force last year that reviewed other transportation needs in the state. The sales tax proposal will be introduced by Sen. Jet Banks, D-St. Louis, today to provide a way of funding those needs.

The tax would generate about $96 million a year. Maki acknowledged that much of the money would go for mass transit in urban areas, but stressed there would still be funds available for rural transit systems, for short line railroads, airports and for ports.

Implementation of this program would lead to the doubling of administrative grants for ports and would provide a pool of low- or no-interest loan funds for port capital improvement projects. Maki said the SEMO Port would also benefit from railroad funds that would be available.

The tax plan is being supported by the Missouri Port Authority Association, which is chaired by Maki.

Members of the local board declined to take a position on the issue. Several expressed reservations about it. Commissioner Morty Potashnick of Sikeston criticized Maki for working on the funding plan and said he should devote his full attention to bringing industry to the SEMO Port, not working on statewide issues.

"Our priority is to focus 110 percent on getting industry to this port," said Potashnick. "This board, and particularly our executive director, should focus on this port not the big picture. Let's concentrate at home right now."

Commissioner Bill Bess of Sikeston and Keene said they had reservations about supporting a sales tax that would primarily benefit mass transit in urban areas.

"It's a lot of money and another quarter-cent sales tax. I don't see the benefits we would get in the outstate," said Bess. "I don't think our port needs this kind of legislation right now ... later on we will."

Keene said she had serious doubts citizens in outstate Missouri would support this kind of tax plan.

Commissioner W.K. Dillon of Cape Girardeau said it was his understanding that the tax increase for education would be the only tax bill that has a chance of passing this year. He suggested the transportation tax plan was premature.

In another matter, Commissioner Irvin Garms, chairman of the construction committee, reported that his committee had met with engineers and staff of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department to discuss the extension of Nash Road into the port.

Garms said a public hearing was planned for Feb. 24 from 5-8 p.m. at the port office in Scott City. "Anyone with comments or concerns can come by the port office," he said.

One issue Garms said they need public comment about is whether to build an overpass at the railroad crossing. Garms said his preference is to have the overpass, but the highway department has not agreed to that.

"It is important to have public input about that issue in particular," said Garms.

Maki added that the overpass was necessary for both safety and to enable trucks to move in and out of the port quickly.

Nash Road is scheduled for completion in 1995; construction could get under way this fall.

James P. Limbaugh, a port commissioner for eight years, advised the board by letter that he was resigning due to a lack of time. Limbaugh provided the board with a copy of the letter he had sent to Cape County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep, who first appointed him.

The Cape County Commission is expected to appoint a replacement soon.