Short-term fix is found for records storage problem

BENTON -- Scott County commissioners solved the problem of records storage for the moment but need a long-term plan in place.

During the regular County Commission meeting Tuesday, Commissioner ºJamie Burger said the county may need to look into establishing an archive center for the county's records.

"We just haven't had much success with getting that started," he said.

"During the renovation of the courthouse, we shredded roughly 40,000 pounds of paper that wasn't needed," Burger noted.

While this cleared up enough space that they did not have to immediately find storage space outside of the courthouse, commissioners are still concerned about the future of records storage.

"We generate so much paper every day," Burger said. "We need someplace where we could store our records. These records are important to the people they pertain to."

Commissioners are still looking at the possibility for some sort of archive center building not only so there is enough room to store the records but also to make them more readily accessible for the public. Those who are interested in going through county records for historical or genealogical projects really don't have the best access right now, Burger said.

Also, storing the records in the courthouse basement is not a good long-term solution, according to Burger, because some of those areas are not climate controlled.

Commissioners are looking into what other counties that are about the same size as Scott County have in place for records management.

"We need to improve on ours," Burger said.

In other county business Tuesday:

* Commissioners awarded the contract for landscaping at the courthouse to the sole bidder, Billy Reinagel Enterprises of Scott City, which offered to do the job for $1,275.

The bid includes both labor and materials, according to County Clerk Rita Milam.

The job includes bringing in approximately 10 cubic yards of fill dirt to place around the courthouse building; putting in sod around the courthouse where needed; aerating, seeding and fertilizing the entire courthouse lawn; and putting down 400 pounds of lime.

"We have some low spots around the building," said Presiding Commissioner Martin Priggel.

The landscaping project and the drainage project, which is in progress, are to keep water from standing near the base of the courthouse.

Water at the base of the courthouse has been "leeching through and creating mold and mildew problems inside the courthouse," Burger said.

* The county has received a $5,000 state grant to do some cleanup in Scott County.

"It was through our Bootheel Solid Waste Management District," Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn said.

He explained county crews will clean up places around the county where junk and trash have been illegally dumped.

"We're picking them up and hauling them to a landfill," Ziegenhorn "We've already started that in certain areas."

"We're working on three of the worst spots in the county," Priggel said.

The illegal dump sites tend to attract more trash and junk, according to commissioners. "Like a magnet, I guess," Ziegenhorn said.

He said the grant money will primarily be used for landfill fees.

* From 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Nov. 4, county residents may drop off their tires at the county road and bridge department's shop at 497 Charleston St. in Benton, according to Harlan Duncan, road and bridge department supervisor.

"We're going to have a tire roundup," said Duncan. "No wheels, nothing larger than a 16-inch tire."

* Commissioners agreed to continue to accept bids until 10 a.m. Tuesday on a 2004 Crown Victoria used by the Sheriff's Department as a patrol vehicle.

County officials advertised to sell the car "but we got zero bids," Burger said.

Ziegenhorn consulted with Sikeston city officials to see how they sell their surplus vehicles and was advised they accept sealed bids.

"They said they always get bids on theirs," Ziegenhorn said. "They've always sold theirs. ... They were sold to individuals."

Milam suggested putting "for sale" signs on the county's surplus cars and parking them in a high-traffic location.