PORT OKs BUDGET, WELCOMES WHITAKER

SCOTT CITY -- Ronnie Whitaker of Chaffee, the newest commissioner of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority, said he was pleased to be part of the port's continued development.

"There's quite a bit involved," Whitaker said as he attended his first regular monthly meeting Monday. "It will take a while to get my land legs under me."

Whitaker, owner of Whitaker Hardware in Chaffee for 40 years, was complimentary of the progress that previous commissioners have achieved in the past 10 to 15 years.

"The board has several ongoing projects," he said. "They have set out on a good path. There's a lot of positive things going on."

Whitaker specifically mentioned the port authority's purchase of a railroad line and engine last year. He also said the extension of Nash Road under way by the highway department will immensely help port development.

During the meeting, the board of commissioners approved a budget for the port and railroad, a wholly owned subsidiary, for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

The board expects to end this fiscal year with net revenues from the port operation of $51,253. A loss of $29,144 is expected in the operation of the railroad, meaning a combined net for this year of $22,109.

For the new fiscal year, operating revenues from the port are expected to be $210,900. Operating expenses are estimated at $170,700, leaving net revenues from the port of $40,200.

The board expects to continue its subsidy of the railroad operation for the next fiscal year. About $12,000 in revenues are expected from the railroad while expenditures are estimated at $44,000 for a loss of $32,000.

Dan Overbey, the port's executive director, told the board that the railroad, which was purchased last October, moved two revenue carloads during February.

Several projects are planned this year to increase the economic viability of the railroad, including a 1.5-mile railroad line to the harbor, a 1,200-foot siding east of Scott City as a railroad interchange track and a railroad industry spur to the general cargo dock.

The board approved one change to the railroad construction contract, increasing the cost by $104,000 to $1.081 million. This construction work is being funded through federal and state grants for economic development.

The board found positive news in the tonnage report for the year. More than 59,000 tons, an all-time monthly high, were moved through the port in February. That followed a record of more than 57,000 tons in January.

The 116,621 tons for the first two months of 1995 was significantly higher than the 48,774 tons moved during the same period last year, Overbey said.