County will look at funding options

Scott County commissioners Walter Bizzell, Jamie Burger and martin Priggel (from left) hang one of the new wall maps.

BENTON - Scott County Commissioners will meet with U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development officials at 11 a.m. Oct. 21 to go over funding options for a proposed countywide public water district.

Commissioners said during their regular meeting Tuesday they have invited Terry Luetkemeyer, Rural Development manager for Southeast Missouri; Phyllis Minner, district loan specialist for Rural Development; and John Chittenden of Waters Engineering in Sikeston to attend the meeting and discuss grant and loan options available from USDA's Rural Development.

"We're trying to get some solid numbers that we can present to the public," said Commissioner Jamie Burger.

Commissioners also discussed a water district meeting attended by about 50 people Aug. 24. "It was very positive," recalled County Economic Developer Jim Schwaninger.

Also scheduled for Oct. 21 at the Clinton Building at the Sikeston Sports Complex is the quarterly Scott County leadership meeting.

On the agenda for the leadership meeting is an update by county commissioners; updates from mayors and school superintendents; the proposed countywide public water district; updates on the county's ongoing geographic information system and Web site projects; and a roundtable discussion.

In other Scott County news, County Clerk Rita Milam reported that "the sale of new wall maps and plat books are going well."

"People seem to be real pleased with the layout, design and color," Burger said.

Available at the County Clerk's office, the wall maps are priced at $70 and plat books at $26. Folding maps are also available.