- Introduced -

SB 715 - This act modifies the classification of counties. The assessed valuation necessary to qualify as a first class county is increased from the current $450 million to $600 million. The assessed valuation necessary to qualify as a second class county is increased from the current $300 million to $450 million. No county will move to a lower classification than its current classification as a result of the changes in the assessed valuation requirement, however, such a county may move to a lower classification after five years at a level below the requisite amount for the counties current classification. (Sections 48.020 & 48.030)

This act allows any county that has the requisite assessed valuation to become a first class county to choose to do so upon an affirmative vote of the counties governing body, even though the county has not had such valuation for five successive years as required under current law (Section 48.030).

This act authorizes Boone County to adopt rules, regulations, or ordinances to impose a civil fine of not more than $250 per violation for certain misdemeanors. The appointed county counselor prosecutes such violations. Fines collected pursuant to this act shall be paid into the county general fund to be used to pay for the cost of enforcement of such offenses (Section 49.272).

This act authorizes county treasurers in counties of the third and fourth classification to issue payroll checks before the filing of the county budget estimates (Section 50.740).

This act creates the Exhibition Center and Recreation Facility District Act. It enables citizens of Buchanan, Camden, Jasper, Jefferson, Miller, Morgan, and Newton counties to petition to create an exhibition center and recreation facility district. At least 50 property owners in a county must sign the petition. Once the petition is filed, the governing body may approve a resolution to create the district. Following a public hearing, the governing body may adopt an order establishing the proposed district. A board of trustees will administer any district created. The governing body of each county within the district will appoint four residents from the portion of the county within the district to serve on the board. The board will have the power to enter into contracts or other agreements affecting the affairs of the district, to borrow money, to issue bonds, to acquire and dispose of real and personal property, to refund bonds without an election, to manage the affairs of the district, to hire agents, to amend and adopt bylaws, and to perform other duties. The district may submit to its voters a sales tax of up to 0.5%. The tax will be reduced automatically to a rate of 0.1% after 25 years unless an extension is voted upon by the voters in the district.

The "Exhibition Center and Recreational Facility District Sales Tax Trust Fund" is created by this act with the Director of the Department of Revenue being the custodian who distributes the money to the district on a monthly basis.

After August 28, 2004, Jasper or Boone County may create a district in an unincorporated area of the county or in an incorporated area of the county upon approval of the governing body of the incorporated area. It is necessary to file a petition, signed by all the property owners in the district, with the governing body of the county. There must be unanimous approval by all the property owners within the district of the order creating the district and the proposed sales tax ballot question. If there are no voters in the area, the question will be submitted to the qualified voters of the county. (Section 67.2000)

This act authorizes the Department of Economic Development to designate an area within Jackson County as a satellite zone. The governing body of the county must submit a plan describing how the zone corresponds to the county's overall enterprise zone strategy. The Department of Economic Development is also required to designate an enterprise zone in Laclede County. The zones must be approved by the Director of Department of Economic Development and meet all statutory requirements (Section 135.207).

This act clarifies that a municipality in Christian County may continue to operate an emergency telephone service in the event the county also establishes a service or has been reclassified into a higher classification (Section 190.306).

This act 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 (Section 304.010).

In addition to amounts authorized prior to August 28, 2005, this act authorizes the Board of Fund Commissioners to issue bonds for grants and loans pursuant to several sections of Article III of the Missouri Constitution. The authorizations are for:

(1) $10 million of bonds for waste water pollution control, drinking water system improvements, and storm water control pursuant to Section 37(e);

(2) $10 million of bonds for rural water and sewer projects pursuant to Section 37(g); and

(3) $20 million of bonds for storm water control plans, studies, and projects in first classification counties and the City of St. Louis pursuant to Section 37(h) (Section 644.581).

SUSAN HENDERSON