Questions on charter government center on cost of switch

One of the most common questions residents asked at the Cape Girardeau County Commission meeting Thursday night was: How much would charter government cost?

They didn't get a clear answer.

The League of Women Voters of Southeast Missouri presented the findings from its study about charter government during the meeting. The 15-minute presentation touched on background, frequently asked questions and steps for implementation of that form of government.

Like most counties in the state, Cape Girardeau County is governed by a three-person commission. Under a charter form of government, a number of representatives and an executive would pass laws for the county.

Missouri's constitution allows residents or county commissioners to place the issue on the ballot. An equal number of the two parties with the largest vote in the most recent governor's election -- normally Republican and Democrat -- are then appointed to a 14-member board. Within a year the charter must be written and then approved by voters in an election.

Jackson, Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties have charter forms of government. Charter bids have failed in Buchanan, Clay and Greene counties.

During a period set aside for public input, several people asked what changing to a chart government would cost.

League treasurer Jan Miller, who presented the league's report, said she is certain costs would be involved but that she's not an accountant and the league didn't get that in-depth with the report. She said if anyone would be willing to help do some research, the league would be open to finding out the answer.

John Mehner, president and executive director of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, said through his research on the topic he did not find anyone who promoted the charter form of government from a cost-savings standpoint. Mehner said it was important to inform the citizens of the positive and negative aspects of charter government.

"I don't think it's wise to eliminate either side until you're fully versed on looking at the issue," Mehner said.

The league presented findings of its study to a charter subcommittee in November 2008 at the request of the chamber. The league has since made presentations to the Cape Girardeau County Rotary Club, Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Cape class and, most recently, during a public meeting at the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

District 2 Commissioner Jay Purcell said open dialogue between elected officials and citizens on the issue is vital.

"The bottom line is, all we're talking about is allowing our citizens an opportunity to decide what type of government they'll have," Purcell said.

District 1 Commissioner Paul Koeper said the charter form of government should be studied.

"If this charter is developed where have a three- or five- or seven-member commission, with the biggest population based in Cape Girardeau, there's a good chance the majority of the commissioners will be from that area," Koeper said. "... Is that good or bad? I don't know, but that's something to think about."

Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said some people have tried to make a case that since charter government has worked well in the city of Cape Girardeau that it could function the same way in the entire county.

"We don't have staffing like you have in city government," Jones said. "So it's not a good comparison because we're a totally different kind of government.

"I don't have anything to gain or lose in this dogfight," Jones said. "I have one year left, and you can't write a charter fast enough to affect me."

Pat Wissman of Cape Girardeau said his most pressing concern was that a charter government could lead to bigger government.

"We have a good government going now," he said. "If you start getting bigger, you don't necessarily get better."

League vice president Mary Ellen Sharp told the crowd of more than 35 people that the league has not taken a position on the issue but was only presenting its findings from its 11-page study to educate the public.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

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