CCS/SCS/HCS/HB 2297 - This act authorizes the establishment of the Kansas City Zoological District which may be composed of the counties of Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte at the option of the voters of each county. Each member county may impose, upon voter approval, a sales tax of up to one-quarter of one percent for the financial support of zoological activities within the district, but such tax will not be effective in Cass, Clay, or Platte County unless Jackson County also imposes and collects the tax. The district will be governed by a commission comprised of one member of the governing body of each county that is part of the district; and one member of the Kansas City, Missouri Board of Parks and Recreation. The governing body of each eligible county may appoint one member to the commission which is selected from a list of three individuals provided by the Friends of the Zoo Inc. The lists of three potential members provided by the Friends of the Zoo Inc, may only contain individuals that are at least twenty-one years of age, and resident registered voter of the eligible county to which the list is provided. Members appointed by each eligible county which are selected from the list provided by the Friends of the Zoo Inc will serve four year terms. Eligible charter counties may appoint a member from the list provided by the Friends of the Zoo by a simple majority vote. Eligible noncharter counties may only appoint a member from the list provided by the Friends of the Zoo upon a unanimous vote of the governing body of such county. 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. Five years after its creation, the commission will be authorized to borrow money for the construction, operation, improvement, and maintenance of zoological facilities. 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 Friends of the Zoo, Incorporated detailing the commission's operations and transactions. This act is similar to Senate Bill 1002 (2010). JASON ZAMKUS
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