County classification bill sent to governor's desk

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Senate sent the governor legislation Tuesday that would restructure county classifications, generally allowing counties to maintain the status quo. The measure allows dozens of counties to maintain their current classifications even if their total property values increase. County officials care about the issue because moving into a higher classification gives a county more authority over its governance but also adds costs, in part by requiring that some positions be made full-time. The bill sent to Gov. Bob Holden on a 33-0 vote raises the upper limits of total assessed property valuations for the three highest classifications to account for inflation since the classes were last revised in 1998.

There is also a fourth class, which is based on other factors and includes just two of Missouri's 114 counties.

Current law designates counties with at least $450 million assessed valuation as first class; those with $300 million to $450 million as second class; and those with less than $300 million assessed valuation as third class.

Under the bill, those limits would be raised to at least $600 million for first-class counties; $450 million to $600 million for second-class counties; and up to $450 million for third-class counties.

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County classification bill is HB950.

On the Net:

Missouri Legislature: http://www.moga.state.mo.us