SB 0482 - Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note - SB 0482 - Salary Increase For Certain County Clerks

L.R. NO.  1964-03
BILL NO.  Perfected SCS for SB 482
SUBJECT:  Circuit Clerk Salaries
TYPE:     Original
DATE:     April 25, 1996



                              FISCAL SUMMARY
                    ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS


FUND AFFECTED              FY 1997             FY 1998           FY 1999

General Revenue         ($375,878)          ($770,549)        ($789,812)

Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
State Funds             ($375,878)          ($770,549)        ($789,812)



                   ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS


FUND AFFECTED              FY 1997             FY 1998           FY 1999

Federal Funds              $52,180            $107,480          $110,693

Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
Federal Funds              $52,180            $107,480          $110,693


                    ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS


FUND AFFECTED              FY 1997             FY 1998           FY 1999

Local Government                $0                  $0                $0


                              FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION

Officials from the Office of State Courts Administrator (CTS) assume the
proposed legislation would provide for a $5,000 increase in the statutory
salary of circuit clerks, except in the City of St. Louis, and impose a duty
requiring circuit clerks to assist prosecutors and the Division of Child
Support Enforcement in criminal non-support cases.  There are 115 circuit
clerks who would be affected by this proposal.  CTS officials report the
initial full-year direct costs would be $575,000 plus fringe benefits.

Officials from the Department of Social Services - Child Support Enforcement
(DOS) estimate that this proposal would result in an increase in funds paid
by DOS to CTS for child support activities in the approximate amount of
$162,848 per full fiscal year.  DOS assumes this proposal would also have a
fiscal impact on the transaction-based methodology that has been federally
approved for determining reimbursement to the state for the circuit clerks'
IV-D activities.  DOS officials estimate that their federal fund
reimbursement would be increased by approximately $107,480 per fiscal year as
a result of this proposal.

DOS anticipates that this proposal would result in little or no increase in
state funds resulting from increased collections of child support payments.

Officials from the Office of Prosecution Services assume the proposed
legislation would not have a fiscal impact on county prosecutors.

Officials from the Office of Administration - Division of Accounting and the
Department of Revenue assume the proposed legislation would have no fiscal
impact on their agencies.

FISCAL IMPACT - State Government          FY 1997      FY 1998     FY 1999
                                          (6 Mo.)
GENERAL REVENUE FUND

Income - State Courts Administrator (CTS)
   Incremental Increase in Reimbursement
   for Child Support Activities from DOS  $ 79,061    $162,848    $167,716

Cost - CTS
   Salary Increase (115 FTE)            $(287,500)  $(589,375)  $(604,109)
   Fringe Benefits                       ( 88,378)   (181,174)   (185,703)
   Total Cost - CTS                     ($375,878)  ($770,549)  ($789,812)

Cost - Department of Social Services (DOS)
   Incremental Increase in Reimbursement
   for Child Support Activities to CTS  ($ 79,061)  ($162,848)  ($167,716)

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON
GENERAL REVENUE FUND                    ($375,878)  ($770,549)  ($789,812)


FEDERAL FUND

Income - DOS
   Federal Reimbursement                   $52,180    $107,480    $110,693

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT
ON FEDERAL FUND                            $52,180    $107,480    $110,693


FISCAL IMPACT  - Local Government          FY 1997     FY 1998     FY 1999
                                           (6 Mo.)

                                                $0          $0          $0


DESCRIPTION

The proposed legislation would raise the annual salary for circuit clerks by
$5,000, except for the City of St. Louis.  The increase would be considered
compensation for the added duty of cooperating with Child Support
Enforcement.

The effective date for the proposed legislation would be January 1, 1997.

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

Office of State Courts Administrator
Department of Social Services - Child Support Enforcement
Office of Prosecution Services
Office of Administration - Division of Accounting
Department of Revenue