STOVERINK ERA AT CITY HALL ONE OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

As he prepares for his first day at a new job Friday, Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink has fond memories of his tenure in city government.

Since 1988, Stoverink has served as the right-hand man to City Manager J. Ronald Fischer. But on Friday he becomes the physical plant manager at Southeast Missouri State University.

The "era of Stoverink" has been a productive one for the city of Cape Girardeau. Although he declines to take much of the credit, during his tenure the assistant city manager has pursued fiscal responsibility and government efficiency with a doggedness that has yielded a vigorous city budget in often lean years.

But, Stoverink says, that's what he has been paid to do.

"There are all kinds of things I could relate to that I've been a part of," he said Wednesday as he cleared out his office in City Hall. "As far as what's been more important than another, I think you'd probably get a different answer any day you ask me.

"A lot's happened in the past several years, and I've put a lot of my heart and soul into this community."

That's what makes his new opportunity so gratifying. Born and reared here, the position at the university will enable Stoverink to continue to serve Cape Girardeau at Southeast Missouri State University, a "city within a city."

"I'm happy to be able to advance in a new career opportunity right here in Cape Girardeau, because this is home for both my wife and me," he said. "We feel real blessed that God has given us the opportunity to stay here."

Stoverink actually started working for the city in 1975, as an intern from Southeast Missouri State. Upon earning his master's degree from the University of Missouri, he was hired in 1978 as an administrative assistant.

In 1980, he took a job as Perryville's city administrator, where he worked until 1985. Again, he came home to accept the position of finance director for the city of Cape Girardeau.

Then, in 1988, Stoverink and Fischer were the top candidates for the city manager's position here. Some council members aligned with Stoverink, while others favored hiring Fischer.

In the end, a compromise of sorts was reached and Fischer was named to the post, while Stoverink was promoted to assistant city manager, retaining his finance director responsibilities.

Although they both were candidates for the same job, there's been no indication since that Fischer and Stoverink have worked in any way other than complementary.

Fischer assumed the role of coach for a management team comprised of every department head in city government with Stoverink his star quarterback, the skilled technocrat able to bring to fruition the plans drafted by the city administration.

One accomplishment that stands out for Stoverink is last year's negotiations that resulted in new utility franchises and the city's purchase from Union Electric of the Cape Girardeau water system.

"I think the whole utility issue was one of the more significant areas that I felt like I had a lot of personal impact on," Stoverink said. "I think that has been a very important step for this community for the long run."

Stoverink said that not only has the transaction been successful financially, it's fostered city growth by enabling the city to extend utilities to newly annexed areas.

"Quite frankly, it took an effort from day one to convince everyone both internally and externally of the benefits of acquiring the water system," he said.

Stoverink said he's also proud of his role in developing the city administration's "management team" and in refining city finances.

He also pointed to the establishment during his tenure of the city planning division, although the inspections department has been the focus of criticism from some developers, contractors and, more recently, landlords.

"Even though inspections services still has had controversy surrounding its enforcement of building codes from time to time," he said, "when you compare back to where we were in the mid-80s, I think we've come a long way.

"People may disagree about what the building code requirements are, but it's a good operation in comparison to any city inspection program. Of course, it's something that will constantly need improvements."

As finance director, Stoverink has been tied closely to the drafting of the city's budget each year. And with each passing year, Cape Girardeau's financial condition has remained solid -- even during the 1991 and 1992 recession that left sales tax revenues stagnant.

"A big part of that involved taking advantage of the sales tax revenue that was accruing in 1980s and focusing on cost containment so that when sales tax growth stalled, we were still able continue with significant capital improvements," he said.

Stoverink said he still regrets that the city has never been able to adopt a transportation and capital improvements sales tax.

He said he thinks Cape Girardeau residents are "missing the boat" in terms of what the city could accomplish if it had such taxes.

"This community could get out front at a very nominal cost by putting those taxes before the voters," he said. "Spread over a 250,000 population in the retail market that Cape Girardeau serves, that can be done at a very low cost to local residents."

Stoverink said he hopes he can use his experience in City Hall to help foster an attitude of cooperation between the city and the university.