Scott City office workers going to four-day work week

Beginning next month, Scott City's city hall will be operating under new hours.

After seeing the success with the Public Works department using a four-day, 10-hour work-week system, clerks at city hall asked the council at Monday night's meeting to implement a system in which two of three employees will work from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. This would give two of the clerks who work at city hall four-day work weeks.

"Not only does it benefit the ladies, it helps out those who want to stop by before work or after. For those who work the same hours as the city, it's hard for them to pay their water bills or taxes," city administrator Ron Eskew said.

The council agreed to change the ordinance on city hall hours, which will be approved next meeting. Eskew said he hoped the hours would change in September.

The council also approved selling outdated recycling equipment to the current lessee, Inter-Rail Systems. The city will sell trucks, trailers, a bailer and a binder it no longer can use.

The Scott City Fire Department's primary engine still is undergoing repairs after breaking down in mid-July, so the department is operating itself carefully, chief Jay Cassout reported. Cape Girardeau Fire Department is on standby if the department needs assistance. Cassout hopes in the next few weeks, repairs will be completed.

Police chief David Leeman said Monday night the department is taking bids for new flooring in the police station at a cost of about $5,000. Officers hope to cut costs by removing the old flooring themselves.

Councilors also discussed the possibility of forming a regional 911 call center between Scott County and Sikeston, Missouri. Mayor Tim Porch discussed with the council what would be needed and said he would like Sikeston to come forward with a business plan.

Call centers are funded by a fee from land lines. But with the number of those decreasing, 911 funding is suffering. Porch urged council members to write to state legislators asking for support from cellphone companies.

Without a different source of funding, Porch said funding would have to be done privately, and he is unsure of what would happen to 911 call centers if this occurs.

Two dilapidated sheds at 1515 Mary St. were discussed during a public hearing, and it was decided the owner has 90 days to repair or demolish the structures before they are condemned.

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