Greetings from the State of the County address at the Holiday Inn Express in
Festus, Mo. We have just completed a tasty breakfast and are eagerly awaiting the address from Presiding Commissioner Mr. Chuck Banks.
Please excuse any typos and grammar mistakes due to the live nature of this blogging experience. This is my first time doing this live so keep your fingers crossed. I will edit for clarity and spelling in post production when I am back at the library later today.
The media is out in force for the address. It is being broadcast on KJFF and also being filmed for television for JCTV .
Troy Hardin, past president of JCGDA has begun his introductions and thanking of sponsors.
The Mayor of Festus, thanked the attendees for visiting his town and then introduced Banks.
Commissioner Banks began his address by thanking Mayor Doyle. He also thanked the sponsors and acknoweldged the media present.
- JCGDA is the voice for business in the county. If you are not a member, you should be. Officers of the JCGDA were acknowledged.
- Elected officials present in the room were acknowledged. (It is very nice to see the wide variety of officials present from both the state, county and local level.)
Update on Goals
- 2007 budget projections were based on a growth rate that did not materialize. But we did finish in the black because we tightened our belt.
- 2008 budget was met by making hard choices. Wage increases have been forgone and open positions will not be filled unless absolute need can be demonstrated.
- Early signs are that 2o08 will meet expectations.
- Promised to deliver on planning documents to maintain effective growth in the county. That document is in the final stages of approval.
- Received a grant for a corridor management plan for scenic byway designation for 21 and M. This scenic byway plan will not impose land use restrictions or it will not be sent to MODOT.
- Goal was to create a one stop shop for permits. Many districts have signed on to the document. Banks asked the commission to approve it so he can then sign it.
- The Park and Recreation master plan goal was also met. New lighting was made available at important facilities. Offerings will be expanded. Access to the outdoors, skateboarding, golfing just to name a few. Stone Bridge in the R7 school district is a unique geologic formation. Developers Price made a gift of that land to the county. We must make the effort to develop this area.
One of the biggest problems facing the county is pollution from failing septic systems due to lack of overall sewer districts. Raintree is now the first customer of the Jefferson County Sewer District. The district has been expanded to cover all previously uncovered areas of the county. Many of the privately owned sewer facilities are polluting. Banks called on local sewer districts to take over the private ones to make sure that all are run effectively.
The EDC administers the HUD entitlement program along with other valuable tools. We are just getting many of these programs off the ground. These programs offer funds to help individuals and small businesses stop polluting and grow in other ways. EDC has administered federal dollars to redo two of the senior centers and used other federal money for important projects. When Banks took office there was no EDC director. We are pleased to have Sam Rauls as the new director and he has made a big difference. (Rauls acknowledged with applause.) The economic development team is here to serve you.
Susan Green, new emergency management director, was also acknowledged. Green formerly worked in Cole County. She plans to fully utilize the assets provided by Homeland Security to keep the county safe and on the right track.
The Sheriff's Department is building a new building which is great. However, if there wasn't special grant money we would be laying off deputies. JCSD is underfunded. Banks encouraged everyone to shop Jefferson County. You fund your local services by shopping in Jefferson County. If you cross the Meramec then you are subsidizing the St. Louis County services and developers. There are many new developments throughout the county. No longer will shopping Jefferson County require sacrifice. Soon we will see St. Louis County people coming here to shop.
The municipal court was a bright star in 2007. Backlog has been lessened and revenues are up. It is not the goal of the court to make money, but being more efficient helps free up law enforcement to be out helping people.
Roads - we are going to be working on many county roads and bridges with local money. We need to continue to fight for federal money for our major highway corridors. 13 million dollars will be spent on safety improvements for Old MM. Most of the improvements on HWY 55 will be funded through developer interest - there is no government funding for them.
Banks is one vote out of 24 on the East West Gateway Board. It is difficult to advance the causes of Jefferson County in that situation. East West is focusing on preservation of highways which is poor policy. We must expand our transportation capacity in order to grow effectively.
The Hwy 21 committee meets last Monday of the month at VFW in DeSoto. They have been fighting for 16 years to expand 21 to Desoto. The committee members and their sacrifices were acknowledged and thanked.
Hwy MM taskforce has met for 8 years to focus on safety improvements on that corridor. This advocacy group is directly responsible for getting things done.
Citizen groups are the backbone of transportation improvements. This is the only way that we will get East West Gateway to acknowledge Jefferson County needs.
It is a tight budget year. No elected officials have balked at the sacrifices needed to keep things going. The County Clerks office was congratulated for continuing to offer a high level of service in trying times.
Charter Commission = Banks was skeptical at first. However, after meeting with the committee members he is more hopeful. The members selected are a good group. Banks is withholding judgement until the document is complete. He warned that county residents are resistant to big government and not to be disappointed if it doesn't pass.
Did you know that JC is home to the nations largest science fair? The Mastodon Fair is held at Jefferson College.
Jefferson College is a very effective community college doing a fantastic job. New branches have opened in High Ridge and Arnold. The director was acknowledged.
JC has great assets with great schools, great people and great amenities. We have low crime because we respect others. Schools succeed because we care. The county is beautiful because we want it that way. As long as the rest of the region continues to fail, we will continue to see people wanting to move to Jefferson County.
All were thanked and Banks concluded with God Bless Jefferson County.
Thanks for joining me in this new experience of blogging a live event. Keep an eye on this blog for future events!
