HCS HB 950 & 948 -- CLASSIFICATION OF COUNTIES

SPONSOR:  Johnson, 47 (Mayer)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Local Government by a vote of 18 to 0.

This substitute increases the assessed valuation a county must
maintain in order to move into a higher classification.  The
assessed valuation for counties of the first classification is
increased from $450 million to $600 million.  The assessed
valuation for counties of the second classification is increased
from $300 million to $450 million.  All counties with an assessed
valuation of less than $450 million will be counties of the third
classification.  Any county that has the requisite assessed
valuation to become a county of the first classification may
choose to do so upon an affirmative vote of the county's
governing body, even though the county has not had this valuation
for five successive years as required under current law.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the assessed valuation of
counties is often increased due to one development or industry.
Populations often are not increased with assessed valuation.
Changing county classification could cost counties as much as
$400,000 annually.  Counties are forced to add offices and staff
such as a county auditor, but county revenues do not increase
enough to pay for reclassification.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Lipke (157) and
Mayer; Callaway County Commission; and Southeast Communities
United for Regional Advancement.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:14 am