COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION



FISCAL NOTE



L.R. NO.: 2312-04

BILL NO.: SCS for SB 542

SUBJECT: Counties: Public Administrators, Salaries

TYPE: Original

DATE: February 29, 2000




FISCAL SUMMARY



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

State Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

Federal Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
Local Government (Unknown) (Unknown) (Unknown)

Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.

This fiscal note contains 3 pages.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION



City of St. Louis officials assume that this proposal would add salary and benefit costs to the city ranging between an estimated $140,000 to $170,000 per year. This estimate is based on an annual compensation of $65,000 for the Public Administrator and salary ranges as specified by the Public Administrator for two office employees. The amount of fees offsetting this new and additional salary expense is unknown to the City.



Callaway County officials stated that they currently supplement the salary of the Public Administrator by approximately $14,000 annually. Officials assume under the proposed legislation that if the Public Administrator would elect to remain on the fee system there would be no fiscal impact, however, officials stated that the current assessed value of the county in approximately $500,000,000 which would result in a salary of $47,000 annually. Officials stated that this would be a substantial increase in salary even when fees are considered for offsetting the new salary.



Cole County officials stated that the Public Administrators current salary is $49,050. Officials assume if the Public Administrator would elect to stay on the current system of fees there would be now fiscal impact however, if the Public Administrator would elect to receive a salary under this proposal the salary would increase to $53,000 annually. Officials do not consider this proposal to be permissive.



Oversight assumes that under this proposal that Public Administrators would elect to be compensated by the system which would allow the greatest income. Oversight assumes cost to counties for salaries and in certain counties for staff salaries and fringe benefits.



FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 2001

(10 Mo.)

FY 2002 FY 2003
$0 $0 $0



FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 2001

(6 Mo.)

FY 2002

FY 2003
COUNTIES

Cost

Public Administrator and

staff salaries (Unknown) (Unknown) (Unknown)



FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business



No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.

DESCRIPTION



This act allows Public Administrators in second, third and fourth classification counties and the City of St. Louis to choose whether the method of compensation will remain based on fees or will go to a salary which is determined by the number of cases handled by the office. In the event the Public Administrator for St. Louis elects to be a salaried employee, the salary will be $65,000.



The compensation paid to a salaried Public Administrator is determined by the average number of cases handled over a 2 year period up to 39 cases. A Public Administrator with 40 or more cases is considered a full time employee of the county and is paid a salary based on the assessed valuation of the county. Fees collected by a salaried Public Administrator are deposited in the County Treasury. In St. Louis City such fees are deposited in the City Treasury.



Any full-time staff people in the Office of the Public Administrator are considered county employees after January 1, 2001. The County must provide full time staff to a Public Administrator with 50 or more cases.



This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



City of St. Louis

Cole County Clerk

Callaway County Commission









Jeanne Jarrett, CPA

Director

February 29, 2000