Scott County mulls recording calls at jail, sheriff's office

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County may begin recording all phone lines at the Scott County Jail and the sheriff's department.

County commissioners discussed the idea of recording phone calls with Tom Beardslee, the county's new 911 director, during the regular county commission meeting Tuesday.

"We're looking into something of that nature," Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn said. "We're looking at recording all those lines -- sheriff's office, 911, jail."

"I think it's imperative," Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger said. He said some people still call county law enforcement phone lines other than 911 with emergencies because they are used to dialing those numbers. "So we need to treat those lines just like 911 lines," Burger said.

Ziegenhorn said commissioners are now holding weekly meetings with Beardslee.

"He bring us up-to-date on issues related to 911," he said. "Everything is going well over there. Tom Beardslee is doing a great job."

Ziegenhorn said with the stability and efficiency Beardslee is bringing to the Scott County Communication Center, commissioners are hoping other cities will now consider contracting with Scott County to provide 911 services.

Special election

Election results for the upcoming special election will be tallied at the Scott County Courthouse, according to County Clerk Rita Milam.

Polls will open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. The election is being held to break ties for mayor in Oran and Miner and for the third school board member for the Scott Central School District. The school district will have four locations to vote at: Morley, Vanduser, Haywood City and McMullin, according to Milam.

Road meeting

Commissioners discussed their Monday meeting with the Sikeston Special Road District board members.

Ziegenhorn said the meeting was held "to go over what our plans are for roads this summer, listen to them about what they're doing, see where we are, where they are."