June 13, 2005
For more information, contact:
Richard Cavender or Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993

MRPC APPROVES PULASKI COUNTY'S REQUEST TO JOIN;

WILL REQUEST
GOVERNOR TO CHANGE BOUNDARIES

ST. JAMES—After hearing first-hand from city and county representatives from Pulaski
County, the board of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission, during its regular monthly
meeting June 9, unanimously approved Pulaski County's request to join MRPC and authorized the
chairman to sign a resolution to be submitted to Missouri Governor Matt Blunt.
Blunt will be asked to realign the boundaries of the two regional planning commissions
effected, to allow Pulaski County to move from the Lake Ozark Council of Local Governments to
MRPC. Once the boundaries are changed, Pulaski County and its cities could become official members
of MRPC.

In May, the Pulaski County Commission hand-carried its request for membership to the
MRPC board. After an informal discussion, the board asked Executive Director Richard Cavender to
research the impact the additional county would have on MRPC and to make contact with the Lake
Ozark Council of Local Governments, MRPC's counterpart at Camdenton to which Pulaski County
currently is a member. The group agreed to officially consider the request at its June meeting.
On June 6, Chairman Gary Brown of Salem and MRPC staff met with the Pulaski County
Commission along with representatives from St. Robert, Waynesville and Dixon, to answer any
questions and to discuss the expectations of all parties, including the involvement that would be
expected and the services available to Pulaski County and its cities.

One area of concern, on MRPC's part, was the staff's ability to meet Pulaski County's needs
immediately and not negatively impact service to existing local governments.
Prior to voting on June 9 , the MRPC asked that Pulaski County allow staff at least 12
months to learn about the county and its local governments before staff would be expected to be
totally responsive and proactive to local needs. The board also stressed the importance of active
participation. Pulaski County commissioners—Tony Crismon and Dennis Thornsberry—told they
board the had no problem with those requests.

The board then voted to approve Pulaski County's request and authorized the chairman to
contact the governor. The board also agreed to enter into contracts with Pulaski County and its cities
for any services that may be needed prior to the governor's decision.

MRPC Executive Director Richard Cavender told board members that it will be important to
make the region's state senators and representatives aware of the request and seek their support. Rep.
Tom Loehner of the 112 District, who was in attendance at the meeting, volunteered to call the
governor's office to let his staff know the request was coming. He said he would also draft a letter of
support on the issue.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent,
Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps and Washington counties and their respective cities. When
initially formed, MRPC served only six counties. In November 1997, Osage County was added to
the region, after gaining the approval of the MRPC board and then Gov. Mel Carnahan. Osage
County transferred from the Mid-Missouri Council of Governments, which was inactive at the time
of the request.

A professional staff of 27, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and
services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning,
environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities
upon request. The board meets the second Thursday of each month, except in July when no
meeting is held. MRPC's officers are Chairman Gary Brown of Salem, Vice Chairman Bob Reed of
Washington County, Secretary Mary Heywood of Bourbon and Treasurer Laura Cyr of Rolla. For
more information, persons may call (573) 265-2993.
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