HB 257 -- RECLASSIFICATION OF COUNTIES

SPONSOR:  Schieffer

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Local Government by a vote of 12 to 0.

Currently, counties can change classification only after their
assessed valuation qualifies for the new classification for five
successive years, except that any county may become a first
classification county at any time after it reaches the required
assessed valuation and the county governing body elects to change
classification.  This bill allows a county to become a second
classification county upon reaching the required assessed
valuation and approval from the governing body.

The effective date for the classification is changed from the
beginning of the county's fiscal year following the next general
election after certification of the new assessed valuation to the
beginning of the county's fiscal year following the election by
the governing body.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2010, FY 2011, and
FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that Lincoln County has the assessed
valuation to become a first classification county, but the
process requires too many changes too quickly.  They want to go
to a second classification for a while before considering
changing to a first classification county.  Changing from a third
to a second classification will require the county to have a
county auditor, and the county is fully prepared to pay the
salary for an auditor.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Schieffer; and Matt
Bass, Lincoln County Commission.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:24 am