Purcell asks commission to commit to paving plan

A Cape Girardeau County commissioner has presented a list of road-paving proposals aimed at gaining support for a half-cent sales tax increase.

On Monday, Commissioner Jay Purcell discussed his proposals for using the money if Proposition 1 wins approval on Aug. 8.

Purcell suggested the commission approve an accelerated paving plan previously presented by the county's highway administrator. He urged moving up County Road 315 accordingly based on earlier dated easements.

"If approved, this would pave all of the county roads that are currently turned in," Purcell stated.

He also proposed appointing a citizens advisory board that would help formulate a new written road-paving policy and look at future commitments related to dust control and paving roads. The advisory board would eventually become involved in creating policy and the road selection process.

Purcell asked the other two commissioners to commit to the proposals by July 10.

Several of the 20 residents -- most whom live on county roads -- who attended the open session meeting liked the idea of the advisory board.

"I think there is a perception the citizens aren't involved as much as they'd like to be," Purcell said.

Commissioner Larry Bock and Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones did not have a formal response following Purcell's presentation.

Tuesday evening, Bock said he had looked at the proposals somewhat but hadn't made any firm decisions.

But he did say he felt the biggest hurdle was convincing voters that the property tax would be rolled back to zero and effectively replaced by the sales tax.

Proposition 1 is expected to raise $5.9 million in the first year. The money will be used to accelerate the paving of county roads and expand the sheriff's department. Proposition 1 would eliminate road and bridge property taxes and the Cape Special Road District property tax for every resident living in Cape Girardeau County.

After replacing the property-tax revenue, commissioners anticipate the county will have about $3.1 million extra to split between the sheriff and highway departments.

Several residents at Monday's meeting believe the public isn't aware the road and bridge property tax -- simply listed as ROAD on statements -- will be eliminated.

"I don't think people in Cape and Jackson realize they're paying this property tax," said Darryl Morgan. The Cape Girardeau resident attended the meeting to have commissioners answer several questions regarding Proposition 1.

Residents living inside Cape Girardeau city limits pay a portion of their property tax to the Cape Special Road District. The district has the responsibility of paving approximately 100 miles of road near the city limits of Cape Girardeau.

Former county auditor Weldon Macke said 25 percent of tax money the special road district collects is also distributed to projects inside the city limits of Cape Girardeau. A section of Cape Rock Drive -- known as "Snake Hill" -- was re-aligned by the special road district. And it constructed a portion of Mount Auburn Road, Macke said.

"The residents in Cape Girardeau don't know they're paying this tax, and they don't know what they're getting from it," Macke said.

When first proposed, commissioners didn't anticipate spending money from the half-cent sales tax on dust control. But during a June 19 public hearing, dust control was a major concern.

Purcell proposed using any money left from the sheriff's portion of the tax for either dust control or paving roads.

Sheriff John Jordan anticipates he won't need about $500,000 of his department's allocation in the first few years of the tax. Jordan would use his portion of the sales tax revenue to increase salaries and benefits as well as hire additional employees.

One county resident at the meeting on Monday said the increased revenue for the sheriff's department is what the commissioners should focus on to gain support for Proposition 1.

"A lot of people don't really care too much about the roads being paved. If you propose a tax bill on safety, you may get more citizens to support that rather than paving county roads," said Tom Shreiner.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246