Scott County mulls recording phone calls at jail, sheriff's office

BENTON, Mo. — Scott County may begin recording all phone lines at the Scott County Jail and Sheriff's Department offices.

County Commissioners discussed the idea of recording phone calls with Tom Beardslee, the county's new 911 director, during the regular county commission meeting Tuesday.

"We're looking into something of that nature," said Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn. "We're looking at recording all those lines — sheriff's office, 911, jail."

"I think its imperative," said Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger. He explained some people still call county law enforcement phone lines other than 911 with emergencies as they are used to dialing those numbers. "So we need to treat those lines just like 911 lines," Burger said.

Ziegenhorn said commissioners are now holding weekly meetings with Beardslee.

"He bring us up to date on issues related to 911," he said. "Everything is going well over there. Tom Beardslee is doing a great job. We're glad to have him as a director. He's working diligently."

Ziegenhorn said with the stability and efficiency Beardslee is bringing to the Scott County Communication Center, commissioners are hoping other cities will now consider contracting with Scott County to provide their 911 services.

In other business Tuesday:

• Election results for the May 6 election will be tallied at the Scott County Courthouse, according to County Clerk Rita Milam.

Polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

The election is being held to break ties for mayor in Oran and Miner and for the third school board member for the Scott Central R-5 School District.

The school district will have four locations to vote at: Morley, Vanduser, Haywood City and McMullin, according to Milam.

• Commissioners discussed their Monday meeting with the Sikeston Special Road District board members.

Ziegenhorn said the meeting was held "to go over what our plans are for roads this summer, listen to them about what they're doing, see where we are, where they are."

"I think the meeting went really well with the Sikeston Special Road District. We have the same problems, same concerns," Burger said. "I think those kinds of meetings are beneficial to all involved."

Burger said officials often learn things from each other during these types of meetings.

"We have certain ways we do things; they have certain ways they do things," he said.

The Sikeston Special Road District "really responds to their roads well," Ziegenhorn said. Ziegenhorn said he thinks the road district has already finished their blacktopping program for the year. "All indications from them are they got their's done early," he said.

• County Developer Joel Evans advised commissioners he would like to attend one of the Small Business Emergency Preparedness seminars scheduled May 19-21.

The seminars will cover information about "how to respond, how to protect business and their data," Evans said.

• Commissioners will not meet May 8 as it is President Truman's birthday, a state holiday.