CHARLESTON - After nearly three years of being back in service, the future of the Dorena-Hickman Ferry is in jeopardy.
Commissioner Martin Lucas informed the Mississippi County Commission during Thursday's meeting that Gov. Bob Holden has eliminated the ferry's funding for the current fiscal year as part of his budget cuts.
As Kentucky's contribution is made on a match basis, the net loss of revenue may be twice the amount eliminated by Holden.
"Without the $75,000 Missouri subsidy we lose the Kentucky $75,000 subsidy," said Junior DeLay, county clerk. "So that's $150,000."
DeLay said Holden's budget cuts eliminated all port authority funding.
"(Port authorities) will have to justify their funding," said DeLay. "If there are any allocations, they will be based on those justifications."
DeLay said there are several reasons in addition to tourism to keep the ferry open including homeland security. "If a major bridge is disabled, we still have a means of transportation across the river with the ferry," said DeLay.
Along those same lines, DeLay added the ferry would be vital to the area following a major earthquake.
"And in addition to that, the federal government has a substantial investment in the ferry," said DeLay.
A new tug boat was recently purchased with a $500,000 federal grant.
Commissioners agreed to take the issue up with Holden and send copies of the letter to state Sen. Peter Kinder, state representatives Lanie Black and Peter Myers, as well as U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and U.S. Senators Jeanne Carnahan and Christopher Bond.
Black, however, is already aware of the problem and is in contact with officials regarding the ferry's funding.
"It's not a done deal," said Black. "I don't know what's going to happen yet. People need to be patient - we're working very hard to work this out."
Although he does not know if he can save the ferry's funding, Black said he understands the ferry is "very, very important to people in Kentucky and Missouri."
Black said he knew things would be tight in the state budget, but things are much worse than he anticipated. State legislators are "all struggling...with what needs to be done," Black said. "And it's not going to get any better next year or the year after."
Since going back into service in May 1999, the ferry has completed over 22,000 trips across the Mississippi River for a total of over 29,000 miles.
Over 31,000 vehicles and 74,000 people have been carried during this time.
"I don't want to see the boat parked," said Black. "Very few people in this part of the state want to see the boat parked."
In other Mississippi County commission business:
* Commissioners were recently informed that the Missouri Department of Transportation requires a $500 permit before the county may enter onto the state right-of-way to clear brush from around the base of the port authority billboard.
County officials are looking to "provide a better sight line to the billboard," according to DeLay.
As the work would benefit the state, commissioners believe no permit should be required, or at least should be provided at no cost. "The commission is really doing the state a favor by clearing that brush," said DeLay. "It's going to benefit both parties."
Commissioners agreed to contact MoDOT regarding the cost of the permit.
* Joe Plenmon of Egyptian Concrete Products in Southern Illinois presented information on prefabricated concrete bridge structures offered by his company.
* Commissioners approved a written request from W.R. "Bill" Thompson, assessor, to attend a land valuation conference sponsored by the Missouri Assessors Association.