SS SCS HCS HB 833 -- EXHIBITION CENTER AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY
DISTRICTS

This bill creates the Exhibition Center and Recreational Facility
District Act; authorizes St. Charles County to have a theater,
cultural arts, and entertainment district; and repeals the
Community Comeback Act.

EXHIBITION CENTER AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY DISTRICT ACT

The Exhibition Center and Recreational Facility District Act
allows residents of Buchanan, Camden, Cole, Jasper, Jefferson,
Miller, Morgan, Newton, and Wright counties to request, by
petition, the establishment of an exhibition center and
recreational facility district.  At least 50 property owners must
sign the petition which must include the name and address of each
petitioner and the location of their property; a specific
description of the boundaries of the proposed district, including
a map; and the name of the proposed district.

The governing body of each county included in the district can
approve the creation of the district by resolution.  Any county
can decide not to establish the proposed district, thereby
removing itself from the district.  A board of trustees is
created to administer the district and all revenue received by
the district.  The board will consist of four individuals from
each county approving the district.  The bill explains how the
trustees will be selected and the powers of the board.

The district is allowed to submit to voters within the district a
sales tax of up to 0.25% on all sales in the district.  This
sales tax cannot be in effect for more than 25 years, unless it
is extended by the voters.  Any extension of the sales tax cannot
be for more than 20 years.  The revenue from this tax will be
deposited into the Exhibition Center and Recreational Facility
District Sales Tax Trust Fund which the bill establishes to fund
the exhibition center and recreational facilities.  This tax
cannot be abolished or terminated if the district has outstanding
debts or obligations.

ST. CHARLES COUNTY THEATER, CULTURAL ARTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT
DISTRICT

The bill authorizes voters and property owners in St. Charles
County to establish a theater, cultural arts, and entertainment
district to be funded by a sales tax of up to 0.5%.  Minimum
criteria is established for the formation of the district,
including land area and petition requirements.

Registered voters or property owners may file a petition
requesting that the district be established.  This petition can
be filed with the governing body of the city in which the
district is to be established or any circuit court in St. Charles
County.  The bill specifies the requirements of the petition.  A
hearing regarding the formation of the proposed district must be
held before the question can be placed on a ballot at an
election.  Subdistricts within the district can oppose the
creation of the district and be excluded from the sales tax.

The district will be controlled by a board of directors.
Qualifications of the board and the powers possessed and
exercised by the district are specified.

The sales tax will be collected by the district and placed into a
special trust fund for the purposes of the district.  The sales
tax cannot be increased or abolished if the district has
outstanding debts.

COMMUNITY COMEBACK ACT

The bill repeals the Community Comeback Act and defines "economic
development."  The local use tax in St. Louis County, which is
currently used to fund the program, will instead be used for
economic development and enhancing local government in St. Louis
County.  This tax cannot be imposed on the sale of food.

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:13 am