FEBRUARY 18, 2020 - Associated Industries of Missouri testified in support of a bill that would help hold special taxing districts more accountable at a hearing of the House Downsizing State Government Committee last night.
HB 2319, sponsored by Rep. Bill Falkner, would require an annual audit of any special taxing district that levies a tax that does not currently perform an annual audit. Such audit must be performed by an independent certified public accountant.
AIM suggested adding levee districts to the bill. Levee districts levy "assessments" and the statute authorizing the "assessments" states it is not a tax, but it operates like a tax in every way. Also, levee districts are not subject to annual audits and the finances of some levee districts have recently been questioned by taxpayers in those districts.
The Committee took no action on the bill at the hearing.