Purcell settling into new duties at parks department

More than a month after announcing that he would assume many of the duties of Cape Girardeau County's park superintendent, Commissioner Jay Purcell says he has identified $3,000 worth of savings.

But Purcell said his drive to make the parks department leaner and more cost-effective is just the beginning of his pursuit to trim the expense of county government.

"You'll be surprised how many things can work in a more efficient way," he said.

In late February, Purcell, the commissioner who oversees the parks department, said he would not fill the vacancy of superintendent Bruce Watkins.

Purcell said that by taking on the responsibilities and distributing other duties to park staff, the county will be able to eliminate the superintendent's position, resulting in a savings to taxpayers of more than $50,000.

Purcell is in the "test phase" of a two-month trial, and he plans to propose making the changes permanent in the coming weeks.

The changes include new defined job classifications with the county park system.

Purcell said he would handle about 75 percent of the leadership duties, and three employees would take on more responsibilities and receive raises, costing the county about $12,000 to $13,000. But it still would be a considerable cost savings, Purcell said, through the elimination of a superintendent position with a salary of $56,000 per year.

Purcell contends the change has worked out well so far.

He is presiding over the construction of a $22,000 park shelter at Cape County Park North that will replace the 36-year-old shelter No. 3, slumping from water damage and wood rot. Crews started tearing down the old shelter last week, and the new facility should be standing by the end of May, Purcell said.

The money to fund the construction will be taken from the department's 2011 budget, but Purcell asserts the shelter will be paid for through the savings in the open superintendent position.

Other than his role in commission oversight, Purcell doesn't have a parks management pedigree, so to speak.

Cape Girardeau, in looking to fill its parks and recreation director vacancy, seeks an applicant with parks management experience.

Purcell said he is using his experience and background in industry and his knowledge of the department to more efficiently operate the system. And he said by the end of the year he will demonstrate the success of the change. He said he already has successfully negotiated $2,500 in savings in trash costs, identifying a total of $3,000 worth of savings.

How his fellow commissioners feel about it all is unclear. Commissioner Paul Koeper did not return phone calls from the Southeast Missourian Tuesday, and Presiding Commissioner Clint Tracy could not be reached for comment.

mkittle@semissourian.com

388-3627