The Cape Girardeau City Council wants the state and federal governments to pay the entire cost of a flood buyout.

The council said Monday night it will seek an estimated $1.64 million in federal and state funds to buy and demolish up to 65 homes in four flood-prone areas of the city.

The estimated cost includes more than $1 million for the purchase of the properties, $325,000 for demolition and $60,000 to move 10 rental homes.

Ken Eftink, development services coordinator, said the plan would provide for the buyout of 38 homes in the Red Star neighborhood, 15 in the Meadowbrook area, 11 in Smelterville and two along Highway 177.

The area is within the floodplain of the Mississippi River and along Juden, Sloan, Cape LaCroix and Ramsey creeks.

The Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission in Perryville helped the city staff draft the buyout plan.

Eftink said similar buyouts have occurred in recent years in Ste. Genevieve, St. Mary and Park Hills, with the state and federal governments paying the entire cost.

Council members debated whether the city should offer to help pay for a buyout, but decided against it.

Chauncy Buchheit of the regional planning commission said the state doesn't require local matching funds.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has allocated $3 million for buyouts in Missouri in the aftermath of the spring flooding.

Typically, FEMA pays 75 percent of the cost, with the local community or state paying the balance.

The council will vote at its Aug. 21 meeting to officially apply for buyout funds. The application deadline is Aug. 25.

As part of the buyout, however, cities must maintain the properties as open space or parks once the property is cleared.

Eftink said it could cost the city $13,000 a year to mow the 65 lots. The city also would lose about $1,000 a year in real estate tax revenue.

The Mississippi River has flooded in 15 of the past 20 years. In seven of those years, the river went over the 40-foot stage.