CCS SCS HCS HB 2297 -- KANSAS CITY ZOOLOGICAL DISTRICT

This bill authorizes the establishment of the Kansas City
Zoological District.  The voters of the counties of Cass, Clay,
Jackson, and Platte may choose to have their county be a part of
the district.  Each member county may impose, upon voter
approval, a sales tax of up to 0.25% for the financial support of
zoological activities within the district.  However, the tax will
not be effective in the counties of Cass, Clay, or Platte unless
Jackson County also collects the tax.

The district will be governed by a commission of up to 10 members
including:

(1)  One member of the governing body of each eligible county
that is a part of the district;

(2)  One member of the Kansas City, Missouri Board of Parks and
Recreation;

(3)  The Executive Director of the Kansas City Zoo; and

(4)  One member appointed by the governing body of each eligible
county from a list of candidates provided by the Friends of the
Zoo, Inc.  The Friends of the Zoo, Inc., will provide a list of
three names to the governing body of each eligible county.  Each
candidate must be at least 21 years of age and a resident and
registered voter of the county which will be appointing him or
her.  Jackson County must appoint its member by a simple majority
vote.  The counties of Cass, Clay, and Platte must appoint a
member with a unanimous vote.

The administrative expenses of the district incurred during the
first six months after its creation must be appropriated to the
commission by the member counties; thereafter, the district will
be financed by the sales tax revenues collected and deposited
into the newly created Kansas City Zoological District Sales Tax
Trust Fund.  At any time after five years from its creation, the
commission is authorized to borrow money for the planning,
construction, equipping, operation, improvement, and maintenance
of any zoological facility.  The commission must submit an annual
report to the governing body of each member county; the Kansas
City, Missouri Board of Parks and Recreation; and the executive
board of the Friends of the Zoo, Inc., detailing the commission's
operations and transactions and must publish the report in the
county newspaper of each member county.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:13 pm