CHARTER COMMITTEE CONSIDERS CHANGES IN CITY GOVERNMENT

More pronounced fiscal responsibility, rainy day funds, mayoral elections at-large or by the city council, the ward system and a proposed retention vote for the city manager became issues put before the Cape Girardeau Charter Review Committee Tuesday night.

Tuesday's public forum, which took place at the Cape Public Library, became the second of two meetings designed to elicit public input before the Charter Review Committee takes its recommendations to the city council.

The Cape City Council will then put its recommendations before a vote of the citizens if changes in the current charter are deemed necessary.

Mayor Al Spradling III would like the city charter to abolish the very system by which he was elected.

"When I ran for mayor four years ago, it was the public perception that the mayor had a mightier role than the rest of the city council," said Spradling. "I have no administrative functions and take no greater active role other than to lead the council during the meetings.

"Some people think I've resigned from the law firm to work full-time as mayor of this city. Since the mayor does not assume a position greater than what he is given, he should be elected by the council."

Spradling would also like to see the city charter provide for a rainy day fund that could keep the city operating for a period of six months.

"Right now we don't have a provision in the charter to set aside a certain amount of money in reserve," he said. "We have enough money right now to cover the cost of the city to run itself for two months. I would like to see that increased. Of course there would have to be some provision to account for the growth of the city."

Added Spradling,"We are too heavily dependent on sales tax as a means for revenue."

Spradling also called for a fee increase limitation. "Any fee increases over 5 percent should be voted on by the people," said Spradling.

The mayor cited Kennett as an example of a city that operates efficiently with ward representation as well as at-large council members. "Although it looks like it works there, I think we should give the ward system here some time before we decide to make some kind of change," he said.

Loretta Schneider, who is a member of the City Charter Review Committee, asked Spradling why the city council couldn't limit itself, in terms of fee increases, by way of ordinance.

"The ordinances would change from year to year, but something in the city charter would stay the same, so I'm in favor of putting it in the charter," said Spradling.

Paul Stehr, chairman of the Charter Review Committee, asked Spradling if he would like to see a rainy day fun provide for emergency use only.

"Would you like to keep this money available only for catastrophe use only, such as floods or overtime expenses from the city employees working on sandbagging?" said Stehr. "I think something along those lines," said Spradling.

Ward 6 Councilman Richard Eggimann said he would like to see the city charter place more restrictive measures on the city budget. "If money is being shifted from one place to another, I want to be aware of that to make an educated decision," said Eggimann. "I would like to see stronger fiscal controls."

Eggimann also called for the city charter to provide for a longer period in which the city council is able to study the budget.

Brenda Dohogne raised several issues, some of which came up at the first public forum.

"I addressed your committee at the first meeting about my objections to adding two additional city council seats, and reverting to pre-1981 laws when the mayor is elected by the council," said Dohogne.

"Another issue raised at that meeting was that our city manager should face a retention vote every two years. Department heads, who are appointed by the city manager, should also face a retention vote."

Added Dohogne, "Let the city manager be appointed by our council and department heads be appointed by the city manager, just as the city charter dictates. However, for job security, let these city personnel look to the voters. If they do their job well and are responsive to the needs of the citizens of Cape Girardeau, they can be virtually assured of their positions."