SB 340 - This act, the Missouri Law Enforcement District Act, allows ten percent of the registered voters within a proposed law enforcement district to file a petition with the circuit court. The proposed district may contain any portion of one or more municipalities within a contiguous area. A copy of the petition shall be served on any owner of real property withing the proposed district who has not signed the petition, and may file objections by answer in the proceeding. A court shall incorporate the district if it determines that the petition is not defective and the district and plan of operation is constitutional. Any party may appeal. Petitioners shall pay for the costs of filing and defending the petition, and, if successful, may be reimbursed out of the revenues received by the district. Once an order to create a district becomes final, property owners shall elect a board of directors.

The district may impose a property tax in an amount not to exceed the annual rate of thirty cents on the hundred dollars assessed valuation, if approved by at least four-sevenths of qualified voters. Taxes shall be collected by the county collector and remitted to the treasurer of the district.

Districts shall also have the power to contract and borrow money, including the power to contract with governmental agencies. The district may obtain insurance to protect itself, its officers and employees from liability, and shall not self- insure unless it has sufficient funds available to cover any anticipated legal claims and still complete its project without interruption, or unless it is not able to obtain coverage at a reasonable rate.
JOAN GUMMELS