IT'S OFFICIAL: CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY REALLY IS FIRST CLASS

Cape Girardeau County's transition from second- to first-class status will be an effortless one, thanks to years of preparation by previous and current county commissions and county officials.

Although no drastic changes took place when the move became official on Wednesday, being first class gives the county a lot of leeway in running county government. The most noticeable changes to Cape Girardeau countians will be adoption of enforceable county ordinances as they are needed. With second-class status, the county had no statutory authority to adopt and enforce ordinances.

The shift to first class became mandatory under state statutes. A county must move up when it maintains a total assessed valuation of $450 million or more for five consecutive years. Cape Girardeau County's assessed valuation last year topped $572 million.

The smooth transition came about largely because of the foresight and planning of longtime County Auditor H. Weldon Macke. Macke, who has been preparing county budgets for many years, saw the class shift coming more than two decades ago. He has offered valuable advice to previous county commissions that have prepared the county for the move.

The county is growing, and with the growth have come problems that the county could do little about as a second-class county. One of the problems is that of stray dogs in the increasing number of residential areas.

With that, it also should consider including provisions that prohibit indiscriminate dumping of trash on both public and private property, another problem that comes from county growth.

The county also will be able to adopt speed limits on both county and state highways, which it can't now do. Speed limits already are needed along some county roads where homes have been built. As more homes continue to go up, the need for speed limits will increase.

The sheriff has more control over his department now. The sheriff, with approval of the county commission, can decide the number of deputies in his department and have discretion concerning their salaries. Such matters were decided by the circuit court judges before.

But the most beneficial part of becoming first class is that Cape Girardeau County now has more authority to govern. That means matters that need addressed can be done so on the local level, and that is where government can best be administered.