SCOTT CITY FINANCIAL REPORT DISCUSSED

SCOTT CITY -- The type of semiannual financial report published by Scott City in a local newspaper drew comments from council members this week.

Councilman Bud Bader said the six-month report published in Sunday's edition of the Scott County Signal for the period July 1-Dec. 31 didn't have enough detail.

He said city ordinances require more than the summary information that was published by major categories of expenditures.

The report also showed assets, liabilities, cash on hand, invested funds and the balance, receipts and expenditures in the city's seven funds.

Bader said it would be more meaningful if the city printed what Scott County publishes once a year, which includes all recipients of county funds and the amounts received.

"It's important for the citizens to know where the money is being spent," said council member Brenda Moyers about Bader's proposal.

Mayor Larry Forhan suggested publishing the check register. He said that would be easy to do and provide more detailed information.

Bader said he knew that would be more expensive to publish, "but the right of citizens to know overweighs the cost."

The council agreed that the finance committee, headed by Moyers, should discuss a more detailed report.

During reports at Monday's meeting, Councilman John Rogers, chairman of the riverboat committee, said he expected a representative of Lady Luck to update the city on its proposals in the near future.

Bader said he expects wiring on an emergency generator to be completed within a week for the city's Enhanced-911 system.

Forhan said several letters were being sent to state and federal legislators asking that Route AB, the Nash Road extension to provide access to the Southeast Missouri Regional Port, be completed as quickly as possible.

Forhan recommended Scott City pay $5,500, a 10 percent increase over last year, to the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association for another year of service. The council instructed the city attorney to draw up a contract.

City Administrator John Saxton received council approval to apply for a records-preservation grant of $17,523. He said the city would have to match 10 percent if it is approved.

The council approved an ordinance placing two park department employees on the public service salary grid. Phyllis Spinks, park director, said it would mean about a $2,000-per-year increase for her and Paul Steagall, park superintendent.