COMMISSIONERS GET TRAINING

JEFFERSON CITY -- Last week's training session in Jefferson City for county commissioners was informative for new officials, said several participants.

Bob Kielhofner, Scott County's presiding commissioner since January, said the commissioners were busy attending seminars and discussions from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday noon.

Gerald Jones, presiding commissioner in Cape Girardeau County since Jan. 1., said, "For a new person like me, everything was informative and exciting. Any new idea is helpful."

Jones said it was helpful for the commissioners to meet representatives from several state agencies. He was reminded that county commissions should have contracts with anyone who provides services to the counties.

Dennis Lohmann, a new associate commissioner from Perry County, heard a good idea that his county could use on its roads. He also learned about handling personnel issues, such as overtime pay and sick days. He saw some of the newest bridges that can be built.

Both Kielhofner and Jones were impressed with the discussion by county clerks on good working relationships.

Kielhofner, who held the job of county clerk for 24 years before his new post, said Rodney Miller of Cape Girardeau County did a "wonderful job" as a panel member.

Kielhofner said the county clerks emphasized that they provide administrative support to commissioners, who are the real decision makers in each county.

"The county clerks made a point with the way they acted that county commissions should expect professionalism in those jobs," Jones said.

Both Kielhofner and Jones thought the session with three newspaper people was the best one they attended. Jones, who publishes the Cash-Book Journal in Jackson, said he jokingly told the group he always gets good press.

Kielhofner said it was the most lively session, very enlightening and well attended. The editors didn't give an inch in their stands and there was a lot of discussion with the commissioners, he said.

The commissioners had breakfast with legislators Tuesday morning for an update on current issues, Kielhofner said. Joining the Scott County and Stoddard County commissioners at their table were State Sen. Jerry Howard, D-Dexter, and Democratic state Reps. Joe Heckemeyer of Sikeston, Marilyn Williams of Dexter and Larry Thomason of Kennett.

Jones said state Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, also attended the breakfast. Jones said commissioners didn't like proposals that would grant eminent domain rights to cities to take property in adjoining counties or to make county budgets coincide with the state's fiscal year.

Jones also said commissioners oppose a bill introduced by Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, that would allow cities the right to institute a one-half cent sales tax for law enforcement. He said county commissioners fear the cities would have the additional funds while county jails and sheriff's departments would have to handle increased prisoner loads and demands on their resources.

Kielhofner and Jones said the training, which is required by state law, cost each county about $700. All three commissioners from Perry, Cape Girardeau and Scott counties attended the sessions.

Karl Klaus, Perry County presiding commissioner and a former president of the commissioners' state association, said the training was geared for new officials to learn about their duties. He said 46 percent of the commissioners in the state are in their first terms.