Scott County commissioners monitoring high gas prices

BENTON, Mo. -- High gas prices aren't only stretching the budgets of consumers.

The recent jumps in fuel costs are causing concern to Scott County commissioners, who discussed the prices during their regular meeting on Thursday, with reference to highway department duties such as mowing and road work.

"Our main concern is gas prices, which is everyone's main concern, said Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn. "There is not a lot of wiggle room in this budget, so we'll have to really watch our fuel costs."

Highway Department Supervisor Norman Brant reported to the commission blacktopping is set to begin in about two weeks.

Ziegenhorn said that commissioners aren't planning any cuts in services due to fuel costs. "We're just going to watch it very closely," he said.

In other news, Tom Beardslee, chief deputy with the Sheriff's Department who is also the 911 director, gave the department's report to commissioners.

"We're getting some bids for the communications center to record all phone lines and radio lines," said Commissioner Ron McCormick. He serves as a liaison between the commission and the 911 department.

A new server will also be needed for the center. The purchase was on the list, but not a priority until it recently started causing some problems, the commissioners said.

"The problem that we have has all of a sudden been bumped to the front of the line," said Ziegenhorn.

McCormick agreed: "We didn't expect to have to do it this soon."

In other business, the commissioners talked about their upcoming Monday meeting with the Sikeston Special Road District, which maintains some highways in the southern half of the county.

"We're just going to go over their plans for the summer and see if there is anything we can do to help them in any way," said Ziegenhorn.

In the meeting, discussion will also address damaged roads, particularly as a result of recent flooding as well as the ice storms earlier this year.