CVR Municipal Issue Report No. 2019-01

March 2019                                                        Municipal Issue Report No. 2019-01

State-wide vote could revoke local control and decide existence of St. Louis-area municipalities - On January 28, 2019, Better Together, a project of private nonprofit group Missouri Council for a Better Economy, released their much-anticipated St. Louis City-County Unification report, recommendations, and proposed constitutional amendment. Although the Missouri Constitution currently provides a mechanism for the unification of St. Louis City and County, which gives the power of consolidation to the “people of the city of St. Louis and the people of the county of St. Louis,” Better Together has proposed to revoke this local control and authorize a state-wide vote on the issue.  Read More 
(Image from NextSTL, 2001)

Missouri Supreme Court rules transgender student may sue political subdivisions for discrimination - In an opinion last month, R.A.M. v. Blue Springs R-IV School District, the Missouri Supreme Court reversed the dismissal of a transgender student’s case claiming discrimination under the Missouri Human Rights Act. The student was denied access to the boys' locker rooms and restrooms at school and filed a charge with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. The student later filed suit against the school district, arguing the school district discriminated against him by refusing him access to the boys’ facilities. Read More

Medical marijuana legalization may necessitate code changes for cities - In November 2018, Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the Missouri Constitution that creates Article XIV, Section 1, “Right to Access Medical Marijuana.” This legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes has created an incredibly competitive industry as scores of entrepreneurs compete for limited State licenses and attempt to enter the “marijuana industry.” Local governments must also prepare for this new industry. While Cities are limited in doing so, they can enact ordinances... Read More

Presentations by CVR Attorneys
 
The following recent and upcoming educational presentations and resources from CVR attorneys are available for your review:
 
- Resolve to Solve: Effective Identification and Abatement of Nuisance/Problem Property Issues (Municipal Officials Training Academy) - Justin Harmon
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- Upcoming: Small Cell Wireless & Telecommunications (Municipal Official Training Academy) - Erin Seele & Joe Bond
 
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Feedback - Your comments are greatly appreciated. If you have suggestions for improving these Municipal Issue Reports, please let us know by contacting jordan@municipalfirm.com.
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To access previous Municipal Issue Report articles on our website: Click here

Upcoming Dates & Deadlines for Missouri Municipalities*
 
April 2 – Municipal Election Day
 
First April Meeting – Collector prepares and governing body approves delinquent tax list
 
May 1 – Applications for renewal of liquor licenses due from licensees
 
May 1 – Financial disclosure reports due to Ethics Comm’n (Cities with $1M+ annual operating budget, if City does not adopt its own biennial financial disclosure policy)
 
June 1 – City Clerk deliver to collector special tax bills for weed and trash removal for inclusion on current year’s tax bill
 
Mid June (on or before June 17) – Notify Dept. of Revenue of ordinance opting out of “Back to School” Sales Tax Holiday (at option of City)
 
*This list is not exhaustive. For the complete Calendar of Procedural Deadlines for Missouri Municipalities, click below:
Jan. 1–Dec. 31 Fiscal Year
July 1–June 30 Fiscal Year
 
Also see CVR’s Annual Requirements for Missouri Municipal Special Purpose Entities and the CVR Resources Page