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Saint Louis CitySide - an overview of the City Government of Saint Louis
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 St. Louis Front Page presents St. Louis CitySide, an overview of the City Government of Saint Louis. From time to time, we will take an indepth look at many of the projects in which the city is involved and how these projects will affect residents and visitors. |
Missouri Governor Holden Signs Bill Which Changes Property Tax Policy ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), June 16, 2002 - A new law, House Bill 1150, changes the way property taxes are assessed and levied by requiring tax rates to be calculated for residential, commercial and agricultural property. "We have moved toward our shared goal: a fair property tax assessment system for the taxpayers of every county in Missouri," Governor Bob Holden said during a ceremony at Creve Coeur City Hall, Friday, June 14. "In addition, if and when legitimate questions arise during the assessment process, or unreasonably large increases in assessed valuation occur upon reassessment, this legislation provides a process by which a taxpayer can get the due process they deserve." "Taxpayers are also protected by a provision that places the burden on the assessor rather than the homeowner to prove that the valuation does not exceed the true market value of the property," Holden said. "Property owners can now be assured that an automatic physical inspection of their property will occur if its assessed valuation increases by more than 15 percent." Holden said HB 1150 complements action taken by St. Louis County Executive Buzz Westfall and the County Council to correct problems that surfaced in the assessment process in the past year. St. Louis County will be the first county to implement the property tax assessment provisions of this legislation. The bill also contains a tax amnesty provision that will allow people who owe outstanding state taxes a 3-month window from August to October, 2002, to pay their back taxes without having to pay any interest or penalties. Those who have not filed a return or are under investigation or litigation over their taxes are not eligible for the amnesty program. Those who do qualify must pay their back taxes within 60 days from the time of approval, waive their right to any appeal, and agree to comply with state tax laws for the next three years. "Other states have had positive experiences with tax amnesty periods," Holden said. "In the current economic and budgetary climate, it's a mechanism that can raise revenues without raising taxes. These revenues are funds the state would probably have never received without the signing of this bill." HB1150 was sponsored by Rep. Joan Bray, D-St. Louis, and Sen. Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood. 
by Bob Moore, SLFP.com The Mayor commented that "We didn't have a completed agreement that was approved by the legislature on the Ballpark and the Ballpark Village, that's something that's important for a lot of reasons because it is getting a lot of publicity." "I think a lot of people are looking at that particular development opportunity as a gage for where the City is heading, a gage for where downtown is headed," stated the Mayor. "It's not about baseball as much as a lot of people want to talk about baseball," he emphasized. "It's about economic development opportunities and taking the momentum that we've already been building downtown to the next level." "That's why I'm still committed to making sure that we keep the Cardinals in downtown and that we create an environment of confidence in downtown and the city in general." Mayor Slay confirmed that every option is being considered. "We're analyzing some options and we have come ideas. At this point, we have nothing to report. I don't want to be showing our hand because we are in a competitive situation, Illinois in particular. I expect that they are going to put together a competitive proposal for the Cardinals. I do know, however, that the Cardinals do still want to be in downtown. They prefer that and it makes a lot of sense economically for them and in terms of their fan base. It doesn't mean that they won't go to Illinois if they don't find an acceptable proposal here in St. Louis," he said. "We're going to be working hard to make sure we do something," said Mayor Slay. "Again, it isn't something that's just going to help the Cardinals out. It's something that's going to make sense to the taxpayers of the City of St. Louis." "We're not dragging our feet," stated the Mayor in response to a question. "We do have a deadline and I would like to get something ready to propose within the next couple of months. We'd like to get the 2006 All-Star game here in St. Louis. As time ticks away, the chances of getting that become slimmer and slimmer. I think that game is important for a lot of reasons. It gives us a chance to showcase our city and brings about $100 million in economic activity to our city in a very short time in the St. Louis region." The Mayor noted that there is a sense of urgency. "I also don't want to be in a situation where we are too late. The Cardinals may make a decision to go someplace else because we didn't have our act together. The sense of urgency is here. We are working very aggressively. Although I'm not ruling it out, there are no plans to go back to the state legislature at this point," stated Mayor Slay. "I'm certainly prepared to do whatever it takes to make sure that we do not let this opportunity to get a $650 million economic development opportunity in downtown St. Louis slip right out from underneath us." Mayor Slay commented that "If the Cardinals would pick up and go someplace else, obviously, it would be important for us to market the stadium to others. There would be more than a big hole in downtown in our budget. The hotels and the restaurants around there in downtown that rely heavily on the 3 million people that come into downtown and go to the 81 home games a year would be suffering also." "It would be a bigger problem than just having a big hole in downtown. It would take us years to recover economically and also from a development point downtown," said the Mayor. ARCHIVED NEWS:  St. Louis Cardinals Say Downtown Is No Longer the Most Likely Site for New BallparkSenate Gives Initial Approval of Funding for Cardinal BallparkSt. Louis Is One of the Best Places in America to Do Business Says Mayor Francis SlayRevitalization of Downtown Begins With $35 Million Renovation of Old Post OfficeSt. Louis Aldermanic Ways and Means Committee Endorses Ballpark Agreement/Summary of Final AgreementBallpark Bill Draws Heated Opposition at Public Forum/House Bill NO. 1889Saint Louis Art Museum Donates $10 Million to 'Heart of the Park' ImprovementsSt. Louis Lands 2004 U.S. Olympic
Women's Marathon TrialsMary Meachum Freedom Crossing Site DedicatedMississippi River Trail DedicatedMayor Slay, Multi-Faith Religious Leaders Encourage Religious ToleranceTaking Stock of Our City and Our RegionMissouri Attorney General Stops Internet Auction FraudSt. Louis/East St. Louis Joint Economic Development Initiative Receives Nearly $3 Million in Funding 
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