Scott County sees year over year decline in sales tax revenue

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County is seeing a big drop in its sales tax revenue received from the Department of Revenue in March.

"It's very obvious the economy is in a shortfall right now," said Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn. Commissioners discussed the receipts during Thursday's regular meeting.

Burger said the revenue was "considerably off" when comparing March 2009 to the same month in 2008. "It was $22,000 less," he said. "For the year, we're $20,000 behind total. So, we were a little ahead the first two months of the year, and then the third month wiped it all out and then some."

Commissioners did say sales tax is driven in large part by new vehicle purchases. "And right now, people are just getting by with what they have," said Burger.

He and other commissioners did, however, encourage residents to try to shop in Scott County whenever possible, to help out the tax base there as well as support local retailers.

In other news on Thursday, Rob Furlow, jail administrator, met with commissioners to discuss some damage to the roof of the building.

Leaky roof

Following the rains Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, Furlow said some sky lights were leaking, which caused damage to the ceiling tiles and walls beneath it, forcing jail administrators to close one pod.

The contractor that installed the roof and skylights came to look at the damage and fix it, as it remains under warranty said Furlow. "The problem was where the roof meets the skylight," he said. "So they patched and fixed it."

The problem now, however, is the damage inside the jail. "They say it's not their fault," said Furlow.

"But if the roof wasn't leaking, we wouldn't have the damage to the inside," pointed out Sheriff Rick Walter. He said that although there is plenty of room in the jail now, the population is rising and inmates may have to be outsourced to other facilities, which will cost the county.

Burger suggested someone with the jail take photos of the rooftop and create a file for insurance purposes and in case there are other problems down the road. They will speak with the contractor about a resolution, while the county will also file an insurance claim for the damage. Furlow said he will solicit telephone bids to repair the damage.

In other news during Thursday's session:

-- Ziegenhorn updated commissioners on what he learned during the Tuesday kickoff meeting held by the Federal Emergency Management Agency at Sikeston City Hall in regards to ice storm damage reimbursements.

"I was very impressed with them," said Ziegenhorn. "They're telling us how to do it, without it being sent back to us. It's refreshing that they're here and willing to sit down with us and make sure we do fill out the right forms."

FEMA officials will begin visiting sites damaged by the storm, said Ziegenhorn.

-- The E-911 Advisory Board met. The main issue at this time, according to Tom Beardslee, director, is staffing.

"We have some openings," he said, noting they are full and part-time positions. Anyone interested in dispatching at the communications center is urged to contact the sheriff's department or stop by to fill out an application.

Commissioners approved two bids for pothole patch mix, from Delta Companies in Cape Girardeau and Anna Quarries in Anna, Ill. Burger said both were approved because the price is fluid "as the market dictates and availability." He noted, however, that Anna Quarries has two types of mix, one of which is about $13 less expensive per ton.

Burger asked Norman Brant, superintendent of the Highway Department, to talk to Anna Quarries about purchasing one truckload of each type. "Then let's bring it back, try it out and document where we used what," suggested Burger.