Counties to keep status under new law

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Scott and Butler counties won't change their legal classifications next year as previously scheduled thanks to legislation Gov. Bob Holden signed into law on Monday.

The measure affects two other counties that were slated for a status change as of Jan. 1 plus 11 more counties, including Stoddard and St. Francois, in holding patterns to move up in classification by 2009.

Because of increases in local property values, Scott and Butler were to exchange their third-class designations for second-class status -- moves that would have increased their legal obligations and operating expenses.

Butler County Eastern District Commissioner Robbie Myers said the change would have required the creation of the post of county auditor.

"The expense would have been in excess of $100,000, with county residents really getting no benefit for their money," Myers said.

The county has long been meeting other requirements for second-class counties, such as having a juvenile detention facility and a minimum number of sheriff's deputies, Myers said.

The new law sponsored by state Rep. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, raises the assessed valuation thresholds that determine a county's classification.

Cost of higher status

Scott County Presiding Commissioner Martin Priggel said that when adjusted for inflation, the county's property values have remained relatively static since 1988, the last time the assessed valuation thresholds were modified.

The estimated $200,000 in additional cost was the only concern Scott County officials had about moving to second class status, Priggel said.

"That money was going to have to come from somewhere," he said.

Under the new law, the minimum assessed valuation for becoming a first-class county goes to $600 million, up from the previous $450 million. The bar for attaining second-class status was raised from $300 million to $450 million.

All counties with assessed values under $450 million are third class, with the exception of the state's two fourth-class counties. The latter designation is for former second-class counties that experienced declining property values that would have dropped them to third-class status.

To move up in classification, a county must have the assessed valuation of the next highest group for five consecutive years. The change is effective with the start of the calendar year following the next general election after the waiting period is complete.

St. Francois County's classification was to move from second to first class in 2007, while Stoddard County was to switch from third to second class in 2009.

Stoddard County 2nd District Commissioner Ray Coats said the change would have forced the county to abandon its township form of government, under which the county is divided into political subdivisions, each with its own governing board that is primarily responsible for road maintenance.

Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis said Stoddard County would have incurred as much as $150,000 a year in added expenses and faced the loss of the $200,000 in fees it annually collects from the local landfill. State law allows only third-class counties to charge such fees.

The bill is HB 950.

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