SCOTT COMMISSION GETS ARCHITECTS' PROPOSALS

BENTON -- The Scott County Commission Tuesday received portfolios from five Sikeston architects listing their qualifications and ideas on building a county jail.

Scott County voters will decide April 4 whether to approve a quarter-of-a-cent sales tax. The commission believes that would generate enough to build an 80-to-100-bed jail.

The commission had requested the qualifications as the first step in choosing an architect. Presenting proposals were Ron L. Grojean, John C. Sargent, Thomas Swayne Byrd, Robert Stearnes and Ronald G. Galemore.

Presiding Commissioner Bob Kielhofner said he would like the commission to choose an architect within seven to 10 days. After one is chosen, the commission will negotiate a fee, Kielhofner said.

Included in the proposals were names of consultants they would use with experience in jail construction.

Kielhofner said he wants one of the five to be in charge of the project to assure local control and he likes using a consultant.

The commission also met Tuesday with Karen M. Irwin of St. Louis, vice president of A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. She said her investment banking firm would sell bonds in $5,000 to $10,000 increments to area residents to finance the project.

Irwin represents the fourth company that has met with the commission on financing the jail. The commission has also heard presentations from Stern Brothers & Co. of St. Louis and McLiney & Co. and George K. Baum & Co., both of Kansas City.

Based on an eight-year estimate of sale tax proceeds, the financing proposals have shown that the county would have about $4.3 million for construction of a jail. Interest and other costs associated with the project have been around $1 million.

On April 4 Scott County voters also will decide on a quarter-of-a-cent sales tax for additional law enforcement services. This would increase funding for the jail operation, the sheriff's department and the prosecuting attorney, juvenile and coroner's offices.

The additional tax for both proposals would amount to 25 cents on a $100 purchase. The annual revenue from each proposal is expected to be about $704,000 during the first year of collections.