HCS SCS SB 199 -- COUNTY GOVERNMENT

SPONSOR:  Childers (Johnson, 47)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Local
Government by a vote of 15 to 1.

This substitute makes changes related to county government.  The
substitute:

(1)  Increases the required assessed valuation necessary to
qualify as a county of the first classification from $450 million
to $600 million and as a county of the second classification from
$300 million to $450 million.  Any county that has the requisite
assessed valuation to become a county of the first classification
may choose to do so upon an affirmative vote of the county's
governing body, even though the county has not had this valuation
for five successive years as required under current law.  No
county will move to a lower classification than the one it
currently has as a result of the changes in the assessed
valuation requirement made by the substitute;

(2)  Authorizes the governing body of all counties to provide
workers' compensation, health insurance, life insurance, and
retirement plans for all employees;

(3)  Allows any county to acquire, own, erect, operate, manage,
and maintain buildings and property outside the limits of the
established seat of justice;

(4)  Authorizes any county without a charter form of government
to adopt ordinances or resolutions related to its property,
affairs, and local government.  The substitute limits the types
of ordinances that may be passed.  No county may pass an
ordinance which will submit a tax to the voters without
authorization by the General Assembly;

(5)  Authorizes all counties to impose, upon voter approval, a
sales tax of up to 0.025% for community services for children up
to the age 19.  Current law allows St. Charles, St. Louis,
Jefferson, Franklin, Warren, and Lincoln counties to enact this
sales tax.  The moneys collected from the tax will be deposited
into the county's community children's fund and administered by
the board of directors;

(6)  Authorizes Cass County to deposit up to .20% of all ad
valorem property tax collections on newly constructed property
into the assessment fund of the county for collection costs;

(7)  Authorizes the Boone County Commission to impose a civil
fine of not more than $1,000 for misdemeanor county ordinance
violations and requires the county counselor, rather than the
county prosecuting attorney, to prosecute these violations.
Fines collected pursuant to the substitute will be paid into the
county general fund and used to pay for the cost of enforcement
of the ordinances;

(8)  Authorizes county treasurers in counties of the third and
fourth classification to issue payroll checks before the filing
of the county budget estimates;

(9)  Authorizes any county subject to Environmental Protection
Agency rules concerning storm water discharge to adopt ordinances
that are necessary to comply with federal regulations.  These
counties may, upon voter approval, impose a storm water utility
tax in an amount necessary to fund public storm water control
projects;

(10)  Authorizes St. Louis County to impose, by ordinance, a
quarterly fee of $200 on owners of residential property or
commercial housing property if that property is vacant, has been
vacant for six months, and is in violation of the housing code.
A municipal officer must make the initial determination, and the
owner may appeal or improve the property within 30 days.  If
improved, the owner may ask for reinspection.  If the fee is
still imposed, the owner may still appeal.  Delinquent fees
become a lien upon the property.  Currently, only municipalities
may impose the fee;

(11)  Authorizes counties of the second, third, or fourth
classification to set by ordinance countywide speed limits on
roads within the county which are maintained by the county; and

(12)  Establishes requirements for a candidate for the office of
public administrator.  The candidate must be 21 years of age, be
a resident of the county for at least one year, be a registered
voter, and be current in the payment of all personal and business
taxes.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that counties are moving into new
classifications before they are ready.  Moving into a higher
classification increases the cost of running the county.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Childers; Representative
Cooper (120); Missouri Association of Counties; County
Commissioners Association; Boone County; and St. Louis County.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill as it passed the Senate say
that the way it is worded a county may fall into a lower
classification if it does not meet the new assessment
requirements.

Testifying against the bill was City of Fulton.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:13 am