CHARLESTON -- Dropping oil prices are slowing down but not halting uranium development plans in Mississippi County, according to Commissioner Martin Lucas.
Lucas said during the regular county commission meeting Thursday that investors backing efforts to set up a uranium recovery operation in the county are using money from oil and natural gas to fund their efforts in Mississippi County.
While dropping oil prices may affect the speed of development, Lucas said the future for uranium looks good as President-elect Barack Obama has spoken in favor of nuclear power.
"Actually uranium prices have gone up," Lucas said.
Lucas said geologists are slated to begin well water testing in the county to determine the location of uranium deposits in the county.
In other business Thursday:
* Commissioners discussed maintenance efforts for the county's blacktop roads.
"The sealing of the roads has started," Lucas said.
"It's a good deal," said Commissioner Homer Oliver. "It's going to buy us some time."
Roads that have been coated with sealing oil so far include County Road 325, Monsanto Road, County Road 215 and portions of County Road 304 and County Road 301, according to commissioners.
The road and bridge department has also put sealing oil down on municipal roads in Bertrand and Wyatt, according to commissioners. The cities will reimburse the county for the oil.
* Commissioners accepted the official results for Tuesday's election and adopted the order making county prosecuting attorney a full-time position effective with the next term.