SCOTT CITY WILL KEEP ITS OWN E-911 DESPITE VOTE

SCOTT CITY -- The city will continue to operate its own Enhanced 911 emergency telephone system even if Scott County voters in November approve a similar system for the entire county.

Scott County commissioners Thursday approved the arrangement following a meeting with Scott City officials at the courthouse in Benton.

At that meeting, the commission agreed to place a countywide measure on the Nov. 8 ballot. New Madrid County commissioners are expected to follow suit Monday as part of a plan to establish a two-county E-911 system.

A committee, comprising representatives of both counties, had discussed the possibility of establishing a centralized dispatching center, possibly in Sikeston. But Scott City officials immediately objected to the idea.

In Sikeston, the cost would amount to $1.37 a month for the average, residential telephone customer. In the rest of Scott County, the cost would amount to about $1.13 a month, said Durward Dover, presiding commissioner. Dover said the cost difference is due to the fact that the basic telephone bill in rural Scott County is lower than in the city of Sikeston.

Under the new plan, Scott City would keep its own dispatchers and continue operating its E-911 system that went on line last November.

The small towns of Kelso and Commerce are currently a part of the Scott City E-911 system, but could be switched to the county system, officials said.

Scott City's attorney, Francis Siebert, said Friday that a formal agreement will be drawn up with the county commission, which could be presented to the city council as early as Sept. 19.

In both counties, a simple majority is needed for passage. If voters in only one county approve the measure, the system could be established in that one county. But supporters of the ballot measure would prefer to see a system installed that would serve both counties.

If approved by voters, a 15 percent surcharge would be levied on telephone customers to pay for the emergency system.

The funds generated in Scott City would be used to operate the existing E-911 system. The county surcharge would replace the one already in effect in the Scott City area, said Siebert.