Scott County considers relocating public administrator offices

BENTON, Mo. -- The Scott County Public Administrator's office may have a different address in the coming months.

On Thursday, Pam Dirnberger, public administrator, informed commissioners that since 2005, her caseload has more than doubled. Her office is located at a storage facility in Sikeston, and there is quite a bit of wear and tear on the building.

While Dirnberger currently receives $4,000 annually for office expenses such as telephone, postage and more, Dirnberger said that doesn't cover all the expenses and other incidentals.

"My door has been broken three times," she said. The county does pay for any equipment or furniture replacements, the commission noted.

Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn said he has concerns with using the county's funds to pay for outside rent and utilities, and other expenses. Any offices outside of the courthouse for other officials are paid for using discretionary funds, and Coroner Scott Amick also has a $4,000 expense account.

"Personally, I think the answer is to move your office up here and close the office in Sikeston," he said.

While an office space isn't currently available, Ziegenhorn and the other commissioners said they could find the space.

They questioned, however, if the clients will still be able to access the services provided as easily at the courthouse as they do at the Sikeston office.

"They'll still come," assured Dirnberger. She said that, if she were to move to the courthouse, she would need a private office for herself as she speaks with clients about health and personal information, and room for her two employees, the many files, and a small storage area.

None of the officials could recall the last time the public administrator was housed in the courthouse -- however, both of Dirnberger's predecessors also maintained their own offices in the southern part of the county, they said. That's been done, in part, because a majority of other services those individuals served by the public administrator, such as the Division of Family Services, are also located in Sikeston, they said.

Another concern commissioners have with providing additional funds to the office is the increase in expenses. Since 2005, the expense-to-revenue ratio has gone up about $10,000, said Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger. "That's our biggest concern," he said.

Dirnberger again pointed out that she is guardian to more people -- largely due to the economy. Her caseload has risen from about 80 in 2005 to just over 170 now.

"And as the number of people increases, my overtime increases," she said.

Commissioners said they will need more information before making a decision. They asked Dirnberger to round up copies of some utility bills from over the years, and other expenses, and bring them back.

In other business on Thursday, Collector Mark Hensley said that county taxpayers should receive their tax bills in the mail in the next two weeks.

"If you don't receive one, call our office," he said.

While the Sikeston satellite office, located at 516 S. Main, is open from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays year-round, it will also be open the same time on Thursdays beginning in mid-November. Satellite hours will also be from 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays at the City Hall in Scott City and Wednesdays at Chaffee City Hall beginning mid-month.