No. 282

July 2009

AT&T LANDLINE TAX SETTLEMENT … The court has given preliminary approval of the settlement on the AT&T landlines lawsuit that dealt with the revenue base of the local gross receipts tax on landline telephone companies. Under the settlement, AT&T will pay approximately $65 million in back taxes and, in the future, pay approximately 35 percent more in local gross receipts taxes. Each affected city will have to adopt an ordinance accepting the settlement and file a form agreeing to the claim amount. The approximate amount that each city will receive is already posted on the MML Web site along with other information on the settlement agreement. Checks for back taxes could be sent by the end of the year.

MML ANNUAL CONFERENCE NOTES … You will find enclosed program and registration material for the MML Annual Conference on October 4-7, at Tan-Tar-A. The program includes topics of interest to all municipal officials. In addition to more than 26 sessions on municipal issues, we are planning enjoyable evening events: the Sunday night opening reception in Exhibition Hall, the Tuesday night reception, annual banquet and entertainment (Comedian David Naster has been booked). Spouses are encouraged to attend (no registration fee). We hope you and a large delegation from your municipality will join us at Tan-Tar-A for this informative and enjoyable event. The MML room block will open for reservations on July 10.

COMMITTEE CHAIRS APPOINTED … The following Policy Committee chairs have been appointed for 2009-2010: Mayor Bill Kolas of Higginsville, Natural Resources and Urban Development; Mayor Pam Fogarty, Dardenne Prairie, Economic Development and Human Resources; Alderman Scott McCaulley of Hollister, Municipal Administration and Intergovernmental Relations; and Mayor Norman McCourt of Black Jack, Finance and Taxation.

SHARPE TO CHAIR RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE … Councilman Arthur Sharpe, Jr., of University City will chair the 2009 MML Resolutions Committee, which will meet on August 20 to draft the proposed Municipal Policy Statement for approval by the general membership at the Business Meeting during the Annual Conference. If you have an issue or policy you wish the Committee to consider, please send it to League headquarters by August 14.

MML ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM … The MML Board of Directors has authorized up to four Annual Conference scholarships this year. Scholarships are awarded to an elected or appointed official of a municipality that has not sent a delegate to the Annual Conference within the last four years. The scholarship will pay for the Conference registration fee, meal functions, and hotel accommodations for three nights. To be considered for one of the four scholarships, the governing body of an eligible municipality should nominate one person, either an elected or appointed official, to receive the scholarship. All nominations must be received by August 21 at League headquarters, 1727 Southridge Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Those selected to receive a scholarship will be notified by September 1.

MML DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD … The Board of Directors has selected the five-member MML Distinguished Service Award Selection Committee. This award is presented to a current or former Missouri municipal official (elected or appointed) who has made outstanding contributions to the Missouri Municipal League. The Committee will consider length of service, enthusiasm and dedication, participation in MML activities and outstanding leadership in the Association. If you would like to recommend any current or former Missouri municipal official for this award, please request a nomination form from League headquarters.

PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO FILE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORTS … H.B. 191, the huge economic development bill, included penalty provisions for failure to file required annual TIF reports (prohibition on new TIFs for a five year period) and annual transportation development district newly required financial statements (a fine up to $500 per day). Please be certain that your required TIF reports have been filed with the Dept. of Economic Development and that the new annual financial statement for each municipal transportation development district is filed with the state auditor. Also, you might notify any developer created transportation development districts of this requirement.

CCFOA SCHOLARSHIPS … The Missouri City Clerk and Finance Officers Association will award up to 26 scholarships for 2009-2010, ten for the Annual Spring Institute on March 8-11 at the Lodge of Four Seasons, ten for the New Clerks Conference on March 8 at the Lodge of Four Seasons, and two each for the three Regional Conferences.  The applicant must be a member in good standing of the MoCCFOA and must be a city clerk, city treasurer, city collector, finance officer, or hold a similar position.  The scholarships encompass the registration fee, one-half of a single/double occupancy room, and $40 for mileage and other expenses.  Applications are available from any Scholarship Committee members and are available on the MoCCFOA Web site at www.moccfoa.org.  The scholarship chairman must receive applications no later than August 15 for the Spring Institute and Regional Conferences and December 31 for the New Clerks Conference.  Applications should be mailed to Sharon Kakouris, 202 S. Third Street #118, Louisiana, MO  63353.

NEW ST. LOUIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL LEAGUE OFFICIALS … The St. Louis County Municipal League elected the following new officers: President, Mayor Richard Lahr of Des Peres; Vice President, Mayor Richard Magee of Glendale; and Finance Chair, Mayor Paul Marti of Oakland.

EOT CONFERENCE HANDOUTS AVAILABLE … Handouts from the recent MML Elected Officials Training Conference are now available for download from the League’s Web site at www.mocities.com or from League headquarters.

A.G. OPINION ON LABOR NEGOTIATIONS … Attorney General Chris Koster issued opinion 83-2009 that states that meetings between a city and a union to negotiate a memorandum of understanding can be closed under the open meetings law. However, when the written proposals are subject to adoption, modification, or rejection by the governing body, the meeting can no longer be closed. You may obtain a copy of the opinion from League headquarters.