Two Cape County commissioners argue loudly about charter government after meeting

Two commissioners' discussion of charter government turned so heated Thursday that as it ended near the second floor stairwell it could be heard from inside the commission meeting room on the third floor.

Second District Commissioner Jay Purcell hinted at the formation of charter government during Thursday's Cape Girardeau County Commission meeting. He asked what it would cost to place a charter government measure on a ballot.

County Clerk Kara Clark-Summers said placing the issue on a ballot for a special election would be much more costly than if the measure appeared on a ballot with a general election, when the cost would be shared among the other issues up for a vote.

Under a charter form of government, a three-person county commission would be replaced with a county council of seven to nine members and an elected executive.

Purcell and 1st District Commissioner Paul Koeper discussed the issue after the meeting, which is when the argument became heated.

Purcell said he believes he didn't say anything wrong in the argument.

Koeper said the current system is functioning properly.

"I firmly believe the county is in good shape and isn't hurting in the financial shape like a lot of other counties in the state," Koeper said.

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO