- House Committee Substitute -

HCS/SCS/SB 199 - 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.

The act modifies Section 48.030, RSMo, to allow 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.

The act authorizes the Boone County Counselor to prosecute certain misdemeanors in order to seek a civil fine of not more than $1,000 per violation. 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 misdemeanors.

The act authorizes the governing body of all counties to provide workers' compensation, health insurance, life insurance, and retirement plans for all employees.

The act allows any county to acquire, own, erect, operate, manage, and maintain buildings and property outside the limits of the established seat of justice.

The act authorizes any county without a charter form of government to adopt ordinances or resolutions related to its property, affairs, and local government if no other law exists on point.

The act authorizes a county counselor to prosecute cases brought pursuant to Section 49.272, RSMo, where a civil fine may be imposed, rather than the prosecuting attorney. Further in counties of the first classification a county counselor may be agreement with the prosecuting attorney may prosecute or defend any civil action the other officer is authorized by law to act upon.

The act 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.

The act 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.

The act authorizes the City of St. Louis 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.

The act 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.

The 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.

The act 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.

RICHARD MOORE