Perryville voters will decide whether to eliminate city collector

A special election will be held in Perryville, Missouri, in November, with a single question on the ballot.

The question posed to voters asks whether the city shall contract with the Perry County collector to collect property taxes payable to the city, thereby eliminating the position of city collector.

Longtime city collector Lori Carroll, last re-elected in April 2014, informed the city this would be her last term. City documents show there have been a few discussions over the years with County Collector Rodney Richardet about his office possibly assuming the duties of the city's collector.

Perry County Clerk Jared Kutz said November was the best time for the city to put the question up to a vote.

"If they waited until April to ask this question, at that time they would have to elect a new collector, because current elector is retiring," he said. "So it wouldn't make sense to wait until next year."

Agenda notes for the Aug. 18 Board of Aldermen meeting show elimination of the position would "allow for many operational efficiencies currently unrealized, eliminate some customer confusion regarding which bill is paid where and also provide more customer convenience," since an individual could write one check for property taxes.

Perryville's code of ordinances set the collector's annual pay at 4 percent of the gross collections made, though it specifies the salary should not fall below a certain minimum nor exceed a certain maximum amount. Ordinances required the salary for the 2014-2015 fiscal year be no lower than $23,423 and not exceed $26,319. The minimum for 2015-2016 is $23,657, and the maximum is $26,582.

Kutz said countywide, the issue is the only one on the ballot for the Nov. 3 election, so only three precincts will be voting.

Absentee voting began Tuesday.

srinehart@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

Perryville, Mo.