PACIFICandFRANKLINCOUNTYMO

INITIATIVE PETITION to ELIMINATE your PROPERTY TAX/PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES

2009-10-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

View more information on petition at http://mopropertytaxelimination.blogspot.com/
need volunteers to collect signatures. call BJ Lawrence 636-271-7817 or beejayl@peoplepc.com

also view information on the two faces of the Missouri Municipal League (MML) that interfers with your Constitutional Right to Initiative Petition http://momunicipalleague.blogspot.com/

View presentation by Dr.Basham re: Initiative Petition to Eliminate Property Tax and Personal Property tax........ and BJ Lawrence re: MML abuse of Citizens Rights to Constitutional Right to Initiative Petition...... at www.youtube then type in stlc4l

BJ's RESPONCE TO SUSAN CUNNINGHAM

2009-10-14T07:19:00.000-07:00

Below is Susan Cunninghams(hotflash) bashing of Franklin County Patriots on http://www.showmeprogress.com titled "Tea Party Chutzpah in Union,MO"
my answers to Susan are in bold print

I'm doing a slow burn and need to vent. I just heard that our local tea bagger group has requested that the Union School Board waive the fee for use of the new auditorium at the high school so they can have an "educational" event to teach people how government works !! If they have to be given credit for one thing, it's that they certainly have a lot of nerve. (NO, SUSAN, THE SCHOOL SAID THE SCHOOL BOARD “COULD” WAIVE THE FEE, IT WAS OFFERED TO THE TEA BAGGER’S AS A POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE)($900 IS A LOT FOR A GRASSROOT ORGANIAZTION AND I WOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOU ASKING FOR A WAIVER.)These are the anti-tax folks who are carrying petitions to abolish property taxes. They preach smaller government, fewer taxes and then have their rallies in public parks and their protests on public street corners. Yikes !! (SUSAN, IT IS I, BJ LAWRENCE, 1207 W.CONGRESS, PACIFIC 636-271-7817 BEEJAYL@PEOPLEPC.COM WHO IS CIRCULATING THE CITIZENS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF INITIATIVE PETITION TO “ELIMINATE” PROPERTY TAX & PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF MISSOURI…….THE TEA BAGGERS MIGHT BE SIGNING THIS PETITION, BUT THEY ARE NOT HELPING ME. (I WILL NOT TAKE SPACE HERE TO TALK OF THIS PETITION, HOWEVER, INVITE ANYONE TO CONTACT ME)Look at the website for Franklin County Patriots (arghh......patriots my ass) and you'll see that this is NOT some rinky dink local group. Look at the product line they offer. Where do they get the money to mail invitations to their rallies? Look at the links they provide - Glenn Beck, of course, is right up there with other right wingnuts. (OH, SUSAN, LIKE ANY GRASS ROOT ORGANIZATION, IT IS FUNDED BY CITIZENS, THEY USE (AS I DO) FUNDS OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS, USE OF EMAIL, WEB SITE, AND YES MAKE A FEW BUCKS OFF A FEW PRODUCTS) And there's SO much more to this than anti-tax fever. The gal who arranged for us to watch the President's pep talk to school kids at the coffee house in Pacific the other day told one of our Franklin Co Dems after the rest of us left that she thinks Obama is the anti-christ. She doesn't believe his birth certificate is real. She's convinced that some prophecy is coming to pass. (I saw an ad on TV for some kind of prophecy program coming up. Just what we need. More nonsense.) (OK, SUSAN, I AM THE “GAL” WHO INVITED FOLKS TO THE COFFEE HOUSE TO VIEW THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH. AND HAVE TO SAY, YOU WERE VERY RUDE IN ASKING ALL YOUR DEMO’S TO LEAVE AND HAVE LUNCH ELSEWHERE, AFTER THEIR HOSPITALITY. THE ONLY ONE I SHARED MY THOUGHT ABOUT OBAMA (EVEN WHEN HE WAS JUST A CANDIDATE) REMINDING ME OF AN ANITI CHRIST, WAS THERESA CONNELLY. THINK ABOUT HIM COMING FROM ALMOST NO WHERE IN THE POLITICAL SCENE, HIS KARISMA, APOLOGENTICS TO OUR KNOW ENEMIES, HIS MUSLIN BACKGROUND AND WHY NOT PRODUCE THE DANG PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP AND BE DONE WITH THE CONTROVERSY! I AM NOT “CONVINCED” OF ANYTHING, AS YOU SAY, ESPECIALLY IN THIS DAY AND AGE. THE FRANKLIN COUNTY PATRIOTS “DID NOT SAY THIS” BJ LAWRENCE SAID THIS REALLY NOT THINKING THERESA WOULD REPEAT IT, AS THOUGHT SHE & I WERE BATTING THINGS AROUND IN “FRIENDLY” CHAT. I DO NOT GO AROUND PREACHING OBAMA/ANTI-CHRIST. EVEN SAID TO THERESA, THAT I PROBABLY SHOULDN’T EVEN SAY THIS THOUGHT THAT WAS IN THE PIT OF MY STOMACH. Yes, the money to defeat health care/insurance reform is coming from major vested interests. But this is about more than social policy reforms. These kooks are dangerous, and we're just making jokes about them. We think that, if we don't take them seriously, they'll just go away. No they won't. They hate President Obama enough to destroy our country. (SUSAN, I DO NOT “HATE’ ANYONE, ESPECIALLY THE PRESIDENT. I, BJ LAWRENCE, IS NEITHER A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN.)They have the power to block the president's address to school kids in millions of school districts across the nation. And they have the nerve to want to use the auditorium in a PUBLIC school, paid for by us "socialists" for their anti-government (read anti-Obama) message. THEY ARE NOT PATRIOTS. THEY ARE ANARCHISTS. (SUSAN, I WAS ONE OF THOSE WHO INVESTED IN BLOCKING THE PRESIDENT SPEECH DIRECTLY TO OUR YOUNG MINDS, LARGELY DUE TO HIM BEING A POLITICAL FIGURE(OR ANY POLITICAL ENTITY)AND NOT KNOWING WHAT HIS MESSAGE WOULD BE. I FEEL IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS, AND IF NOT THEM, EACH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS AND PREVIEW MATERIAL , AND FEEL IT IS THE TEACHERS RESPONSIBILITY TO DEVELOP THE CURRICULUM. I FOUND NOTHING OBJECTIONABLE ABOUT HIS WORDS (OTHER THAN THINK HE TOLD THE KIDS ONE WAY TO BE, BUT YET OUR GOVERNMENT POLICIES SAY QUITE THE OPPOSITE. (I THINK WE SHOULD TEACH THEM HOW TO FISH, NOT “GIVE” THEM THE FISH…MAKES MORE SENSE)I'll bet they are getting their funding and marching orders from the same corporate powers that used other social issues in the past to enflame anti-reform passions. People who get their information from hate radio and faux news can easily be convinced of anything, no matter how absurd. But we can't just keep laughing at them. This is not a laughing matter. (SUSAN, INSTEAD OF SAYING “I’LL BET”, INSTEAD DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND PROVE YOUR WORDS. REALLY DO NOT THINK YOU WILL FIND EVIDENCE OF YOUR CLAIM.)Someone with a bigger megaphone than mine will have to rouse those of us who want to protect our country and our president from these extremely dangerous people. I'm very disappointed in what passes for "liberal" media such as MSNBC. They give air time to the kooks which, as George Lakoff keeps telling us, just reinforces their message. While we're doing a "reality check" on today's lies, tomorrow lies are already heading out the door. (SERIOUSLY, DO YOU TRUST ANY MAIN STREAM MEDIA TO GIVE YOU REAL JOURNALISM. AND IT IS JUST NOT PROPER TO NAME CALL, (SUSAN, YOU WERE AN EXCELLENT TEACHER, DON’T THINK YOU WOULD HAVE TAUGHT YOUR CLASS TO NAME CALL) SEE NO GOOD, EITHER SIDE NAME CALLING.) We must go on the offense and "call them out." They want to dismantle the social safety net that keeps millions of us from sleeping under bridges. Where would many of us be without Social Security and Medicare? I remember the national outcry when Bush tried to privatize Social Security. That's the kind of organized effort we need right now. (HUM…I RAISED TWIN DAUGHTERS “TOTALLY” BY MYSELF, I WORKED A FULL TIME JOB, A SECOND JOB (SOMETIMES THREE) TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY. IT WAS NOT EASY, BUT I DID IT, WITHOUT THE HELP OF A HANDOUT. I HAVE WORKED ALL THESE YEARS PAYING INTO SOCIAL SECURITY WHICH MAY NOT BE THERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I REMEMBER MAKING A MISTAKE, AND GIVING MY DAUGHTERS THEIR 1ST CAR, WHICH THEY DID NOT APPRECIATE AND DISTROYED, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT EARN IT. THE NEXT CAR WAS A JUNKER, BUT THEY PAID FOR IT AND RESPECTED IT ALL THE MORE…PRIDE IN YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!!!)Meanwhile, I'll do what I can to keep the local tea baggers from using a public school to preach their anarchist dogma.(OOPS, SUSAN, WHERE IS THIS BEING TAUGHT IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS????? PLEASE, PROVIDE PROOF!!!!!!!!!SO, THIS IS YOUR LOCAL TEABAGGER, ANTI-TAX FOLK, RINKY DINK, KOOK, SIGNING OFF FROM PACIFIC. (I AM NOT AN ANARCHRIST/LIAR OR FILTHY)SUSAN, YOU AND I HAVE WORKED ON LIKE MINDED ISSUES TOGETHER, I HAVE ALWAYS RESPECTED YOUR “RIGHT” TO DISAGREE WITH ME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO INCLUDE ME IN YOUR RIGHT TO DISAGREE. XOXO BJ Susan says she and other Franklin County Dems will be at the school board meeting this Wednesday to protest against allowing "the tea baggers [to use] a public school to spread their filth." Right on, Susan. Let the school board know that if it kept Obama out, the least it can do is keep The Crazy away.
hotflash :: Tea Party chutzpah in Union, MO

REAL ESTATE ASSESSMENTS- ACT NOW

2009-05-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

Real Estate Assessments..You need to ACT NOW

Sure we read in the paper that Assessments WOULD NOT GO UP this year. But, hear from a lot of folks that it did. Should have GONE DOWN!!!

It was in the paper that you have until June 15th to start your appeal on your property taxes in Franklin County. Call 636-583-6348. To start the process. www.franklinmo.org (Check with your own County as to the deadline and process to appeal)

House/Senate Session ends this Friday, and there are a couple of bills HB 888 and SB99 that would give you "a lot" of relief. CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES and tell them to push these bills thru before this Friday.

And here are the Tax Commissioners of Missouri’s phone 573-751-2414 www.stc.mo.gov email: stc@stc.mo.gov Chair: Bruce E. Davis (Columbia), Charles Nordwald (Warrenton), Jennifer Tidwell (Kansas City) commissioners all located in Jefferson City......call them/email them......raise some heck. (just a little tidbit, there are five members on the State Lottery Commission and only three on the State Tax Commission)

And think there are many of us fed up with our elected representatives doing nothing to help the average Joe, especially with our Property Tax Assessments, and a group of us are planning to start the Initiative Petition process to force Reform on to the Ballot FOR YOU TO VOTE ON. If this idea is something you can help work with, please email me & I will keep you posted on the progress and help you can give when signatures need to be collected.

pass this info. on to all your family, friends, neighbors all over the State of Missouri.
BJ Lawrence 636-271-7817 beejayL@peoplepc.com

FRANKLIN COUNTY ASSESSMENTS 2009

2009-05-14T06:51:00.000-07:00

04/17/2009
County Says No Changes in Assessment in 2009
By Evin Fritschle , Missourian Staff Writer

Most Franklin County homeowners' property assessments have not dropped this year, despite declines in average residential values in neighboring St. Louis County of 4 to 12 percent.
Values of residential properties are based on sale prices of comparable homes.

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Some people have told The Missourian they're assessments spiked, as much as 10 percent."There has been no increase in any of the neighborhoods," Chief Deputy Assessor Wayne Overkamp said."The only thing that would have caused values to change were corrections from data errors previously or people who changed the condition of their homes," he said.The judgment of condition changes are made by appraisers, Overkamp said.The county's assessments came out to be 94 percent of the sales figures, meaning that appraisers valued homes, on average, for 6 percent less than the homes sell for on the market."We keep track of the sales and we haven't seen any properties that aren't getting sold," Overkamp said. "They might be on the market for a while, but they're still selling."The number of complaints to the assessor's office has been relatively low, Overkamp said."The assessor's office doesn't control the taxes, the taxpayers do. The thing they can blame us for is the assessed values," he said.Assessed values are set at 19 percent of the appraised value for residential properties. Assessed value is 32 percent for commercial and industrial properties and 12 percent for agricultural properties.If homeowners have an issue with the assessed value, there are steps they can take.People may call the assessor's office to talk with appraisers.If owners are unhappy still, they can file an appeal with the Board of Equalization."The board is well informed. The best thing people can do for an appeal is to bring in documentation," Overkamp said, such as independent assessments of their properties and information on similar properties sold in the area.People who disagree with the board's ruling can appeal to the State Tax Commission.The assessor's office will be mailing out the remaining notices of assessed value in separate mailings over the next several months.The first mailing, for those in the Berger, New Haven, Washington, St. Albans, Labadie and Gerald areas, has already been sent out.The second mailing, which will be sent out in about two weeks, will include Union, St. Clair and surrounding areas.The third mailing will be two weeks later and will include Pacific, Sullivan and surrounding areas.People with questions or concerns about their assessments may call the assessor's office at 636-583-6348.

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©Washington Missouri 2009

EASY WAY TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

2009-01-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is a the state senate website that will get you point-and-click addresses and allow you to send a message directly from the website to all of your reps. The only thing you need is your entire zipcode including the extra four digits (and for those who don't know their entire zip, below is the website to get it.)Find your representatives:
http://www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx
Find your nine-digit zipcode:http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp
For all other representatives http://senate.mo.gov or http://house.mo.gov

"CERTIFICATES of PARTICIPATION - BE CONCERNED

2008-02-03T07:58:00.000-08:00

Certificates of Participation should be everyone in Missouri and the USA's concern. (It's very possible it has already happened in your County and you missed it)

...actually felt a ray of hope when read, City Administrator (Washington,MO) Jim Briggs, said in two articles, that certain projects just could not be afforded. (Downtown TIF project & West Highway 100 proposal.) That ray of hope was quickly erased with his comment, "...the city will look into using Certificates of Participation to FINANCE the project (hwy 100). Mr. Briggs said, prefers pay back of loans over 10 years, well, Mr. Briggs take a look at the payback time on the 2005 COP. Looks like, Mr. Hillhouse, is teaching Cities to follow his unique technique of Franklin County INDEBTEDNESS WITHOUT "VOTER APPROVAL", with the HOPE that sales tax will cover his indiscreet decisions. (Even though unemployment is at all time high, foreclosures are 79% higher, his County Recorder already showing "last years" revenues are "down", but that won't be Commissioner Ed Hillhouse's problem, as he thinks he will "move on" to a state level, where he can teach State Representatives the deceitful ways of Certificates of Participation.

Now we have a huge 19.41-cent road and bridge property tax, why is that not enough to use with careful considerations?? Mr. Briggs, perhaps you should ask Mr. Hillhouse, about the 2007 Certificate of Participation, that allocates $11,245,000 for roads and bridges, perhaps he had you in mind, Mr. Briggs. Mr. Hillhouse does not disclose what roads and bridges he has in mind. This allocation is in addition to the 19.41-cent property tax.

NOTES on existing Certificates of Participation:
2005 $6,900,000 (loan) Total interest $4,829,992 (IF paid by year 2030, but the so called lease has until 6/1/2050 to be repaid, 42 YEARS!!!) This COP applies to capitol improvement projects: New Administration Center, Courthouse Annex, Juvenile Center,and Judicial Center. The Bank of Washington WAS the Trustee. (see COP 2007)

2007 $18,450,000 (loan)( had trouble finding total interest to be paid) This COP applies to $11,245,000 Roads & Bridges non-specific and $7,205,000 Judicial Center. In this COP, The Washington Bank is removed as Trustee from the original 2005 COP, and the amount of $6.9 million is added to this 2007, and The Bank of New York Trust Co, NA is assigned as Trustee for the entire amount of $25.35 million. There are now two payments due per year instead of one. (starting Mar 1, 2008 again in Sep. of each year. the amounts of each payment not found) Found no individual LOCAL Banks involved, just The Bank of New York Trust Co. NA.

This an interesting statement found within the 2005 COP: SEC.5, Assignments and subleases Trustee may assign this base lease and its rights hereunder or lease the leased property without the written consent of the County (i) if the lease is terminated for any reason or (ii) if an Event of Default has occurred. Sounds like, if sales taxes do not become strong in order to make payments with interest, Franklin County has a possibility of some unknown controlling our/your government buildings (and unknown roads & bridges.)

Now, we see musical chairs beginning with our elected officials, as for Mr. Hillhouse and his personal goals, he is leaving quite a footprint for someone else to inherit. That is just this writer’s opinion...........what's yours? (Let your representatives hear from you)

Explains Purpose of Lease Purchase Agreements
By Gregg Jones, Missourian Staff Writer
01/18/2008

Franklin County Presiding Commissioner Ed Hillhouse said issuing certificates of participation (COPs) is the most effective way for the county to build new facilities and renovate the historic courthouse.
Hillhouse said the county commission chose that method of financing as the most viable of three options. He, Hillhouse, one man, appears to chose the method of “financing” LOANS/NO VOTER APPROVAL.

He said other than COPs, commissioners had two options to expand county facilities."You pay for it all up front, which we are not able to do, or you raise taxes," said Hillhouse.
… or RAISE TAXES “WHICH OFCOURSE”THE VOTERS WOULD NOT APPROVE!!! AND WHAT “IS” GOING TO “PAY” THIS BACK “TAXES” …HE PUTS A LOT INTO THE HOPE OF STRONG SALES TAXES/INCLUDING ANY POSIBILITY OF REDUCING YOUR PROPERTY TAXES AS HE HAS ELUDED TO “PENDING STRONG SALES TAXES.” ISN’T HE HEARING THE WORDS RESESSION/WITH ALL THE FORECLOSURES HE WILL HAVE LESS TAXES/LESS SPENDING……..DOES HE INTEND TO LOWER YOUR PROPERTY TAXES BASED OF THE DECREASED VALUE OF YOUR HOMES.The county sold COPs to finance construction of the Franklin County administrative and judicial centers. The administration building is finished and work is progressing on the new courts building. Renovations also are planned for the Franklin County Courthouse which will house a veterans memorial and other county offices. KEY WORD HERE “SOLD”, YOUR GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS!!!Hillhouse said several years ago the commission was presented a petition by circuit judges asking them to go to the voters for a tax increase to fund the projects. He said a facility needs committee was established to ensure the county made "sound decisions" when planning for future growth. DENIED THE REQUEST OF CIRCUIT JUDGES ASKING FOR “VOTER” APPROVAL TO FUND THE PROJECTS. “SOUND DECISIONS”? "They looked at the needs, total cost and if we would be in better shape dragging projects out over the years - or are we better off getting it built now?" he said. "We asked the local banking community to come in and look at lease purchasing and not raising taxes." KEEPS SAYING NOT RAISING TAXES……….WELL, WHAT IS GOING TO MAKE THESES PAYMENTS!!! AND THE BANKS ARE NOT DOING IT INTEREST FREE…. Hillhouse explained that banks purchased certificates of participation, similar to bonds, and the county will pay off the COPs over a 25-year period. SIMILAR TO BONDS……. BONDS ARE VOTED ON BY THE PEOPLE……WHAT THE HECK IS SIMULAR????
The county received over $18 million for capitol improvement projects that will be repaid in annual installments until 2032. The annual payments range from over $800,000 until 2013 to $1.2 after 2013. The total payment will be $31,410,605. (AND ANOTHER 6.9 MILLION IN 2005, THAT’S A TOTAL OF $24.9 MILLION…….THESE FIGURES DO NOT REFLECT THIS.) AND DO THE MATH ON HIS FIGURES…31.4 LESS 18 = 13.4 MILLION IN INTEREST ON 18 MILLION. ON 3-4% LOANS………..?????????The county also will sell COPs to build new roads and renovate the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. YIPES…..NOW SOME OTHER ENTITY WILL “OWN”YOUR ROADS & BRIDGES? BY THE WAY FIND NO WHERE IN RS49 THAT HILLHOUSE COULD DO THAT?????COPs are a form of lease purchase transaction that allows one debt to be sold to multiple investors. In this case the debt is incurred by the county and sold to banks, mostly local, Hillhouse said. He compared the practice to a home mortgage. MOSTLY LOCAL THAT IS CONCERNING, AND HOW ABOUT HILLHOUSE LIST “ALL” THESE BANKS AND THE AMOUNTS!!!!! HAS HE SOLD US OUT TO MAYBE “FOREIGN” BANKS…….THAT DOES SEEM TO BE A NEW FORM OF GREED IN AMERICA, SELLING OUT TO OUR ENEMIES."It is how you decide to pay for it. Do you want to wait until you have enough cash - maybe 30 years to build a house - or do you build what you want now?" said Hillhouse. PLEASE, ED, THIS IN NO WAY CAN BE COMPARED TO AN “INDIVIDUAL” DECIDING TO PURCHASE A HOME. (for more than they can afford, the reason for so many foreclosures) WE IN NO WAY GAVE YOU, AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, THE “RIGHT” TO MAKE DECISIONS WITHOUT “VOTER APPROVAL”. (And this kind of got to have it NOW mentality is exactly what is wrong with America and its citizens)He added that the buildings themselves serve as the collateral against the loans. If the county fails to make payments on its debt, the banks that purchased the COPs could become part owners in the county buildings. THE CORRECT WORD IS WOULD OWN THE COUNTY BUILDINGS,NOT COULD ………….THEN WHAT, MR. HILLHOUSE????? WHAT IF YOUR SALES TAX CANT MAKE THE PAYMENTS, THEN WHAT???? Participating in this type of lease purchase, said Hillhouse, is advantageous for Franklin County due to its retail, industrial and population growth."It works for a growing community. If this was a county losing population, industries or retail, or going that way - especially from a sales tax standpoint - that is not the way we would want to go," said Hillhouse. MR. HILLHOUSE, YOU ARE LIVING BEHOND OUR MEANS. WE, THE PEOPLE, CAN NOT BANK ON THE FUTURE OF OUR JOBS MUCH LESS ANY INCREASE IN OUR PAY,.THE EQUIVELENT OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING, IS INDIVIDUALS USING CREDIT CARDS TO THE EXTREME AND BALLOON NOTES ON HOMES. WE ARE IN A CREDIT CRUNCH IN AMERICAN AND YOU WANT TO BANK ON THE UNKNOWN…OH, BUT OFCOURSE. IT ISN’T YOUR MONEY AND WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOOSE…ESPECIALLY WITH A CUSHIE $90K RETIREMENT FROM MVRIII…AND WHO KNOWS WHAT FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY.He added that in a few years, he believes new sales tax revenue retail growth in the county will cover the debt on the COPs. AND COWS CAN FLY!!!"I'm convinced that within three to five years you will see growth alone be able to pay for the buildings," he said. Hillhouse added that new facilities are key to more growth. "I believe this is an economic tool for the county," he said. "We show outside industries that the county is serious about truly providing the space necessary for a first-class county." SOUNDS LIKE KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES. AND WHEN THE “SALES TAXES” GO SOFT, HOW WILL THIS “DEBT” BE REPAID, AS WE DO NOT THINK MR. HILLHOUSE WILL BE AROUND TO “FIX” THE PROBLEM. (probably accessive reassessments “property taxes” )Hillhouse said he has heard questions raised about the legality of COPs, and stressed that lease purchasing agreements are authorized under state statute. Exactly, how can it be legal to go around taxpayers and put them in debt……WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL. Even when the Circuit Judges tried to do it the right with bonds voted on BY THE PEOPLE.Hillhouse said the county is given the authority under Chapter 49 of the Revised Missouri Statutes, which states that a first-class county "may lease to any person any real property and other facilities under the control of the county commission owned by the county for a term not to exceed 50 years." Leasing to any person, usually means they move in and pay rent in this case to the county for space. Would like for Mr. Hillhouse to specify exactly which of the many sections in Chapter 49 that he is referring to!"It's as plain as can be," said Hillhouse. "A person can disagree with the methodology and I respect that - but there is no question if it is legal or illegal." Franklin County Attorney Mark Vincent agreed that there is no question to the legality of COPs."In my opinion these are absolutely 100 percent legal. Bond holders would not buy these bonds if they were illegal," he said. "I know it's legal and in the opinion of bond counsel they are legal - we did nothing wrong." NOW THIS IS CONFUSING, ARE THE INVESTORS “BOND HOLDERS”, NOT BANKS/MULTIPLE INVESTORS, WHO LOANED MONEY TO FRANKLIN COUNTY?
©Washington Missouri 2008

*** HAS COMMISSION DONE AN END-RUN AROUND THE VOTERS? 12-22-07 ***
Dear editor: With all the furor about concerning assessments, I thoughtthe citizens might wish to ask the Commission just what exactly is aCertificate of Participation. After all, there was a small notice in theWednesday 12 December Missourian that the 2007 budget was being amended toinclude $18.45 million in Certificates of Participation. I had never heardof such a thing so I did a google on same. I came to the Company who proudlyproclaims that they were the first company to offer these certificates., Iquote," lease financing has been among the most popular methods used tofinance capital improvements while complying with OR AVOIDING constitutional debt limits applicable.......". So theycan be used to avoid what? How about the vote of the people as intraditional bond issues which require either a 4/7ths or 2/3rds majoritybefore passage. As explained briefly by the Auditor, a certificate of Participation is alease/purchase agreement. Huh? Someone might wish to ask, "what are weleasing, and what are we purchasing?". A California Grand Jury investigation concluded that "voter reluctance toapprove bonds by the required 2/3 majority has no doubt contributed to theuse of COPs as the primary financing method for capital projects." So, arethese "certificates" used to bypass voters when our supposed "servants"decide that the County needs "improvements"?. And what are theseimprovements? The Judicial Center, courthouse renovations, and road andbridge improvements are what is listed in the budget notice. And since these are lease/purchase agreements, does this mean that we thetaxpayers are leasing the above "improvements"?. If we are, who owns themuntil we finish with the "rent to own" agreement? Also, $6.9 Million of these certificates were "issued" in 2005 to financethe Government Center. Does this mean that the County is leasing thisfacility from some entity? And who purchased these Certificates? Further research concludes that these Certificates of Participation aretreated as a "security" and not a "bond" because technicallythere is noobligation to pay by future Commissions. But if the leases are notappropriated each year, the County relinquishes the right to use thefacilities. So if future Commissions decide not to appropriate the leasepayments, wouldn't we lose the use of the Government Center, "Palace ofJustice" the courthouse and who knows what roads and bridges? One mustconclude that it would be folly to presume that future Commissions wouldn'tcontinue the lease. So the taxpayers are encumbered with future "lease"payments, but not "burdened with debt." You see, with clever words a "bonded indebtedness"[requiring voterapproval] becomes a "pledged revenue stream" requiring only the wave ofthemagic wand by our "public servants." And we think that reassessments are ourbig worry? EricReichert
puzzled nearVillaRidge

Franklin County AFFLUENT GOVERNMENT 12.24.07

2007-12-24T16:24:00.000-08:00

12/24/2007
An Affluent County

There probably are some residents of Franklin County who are unaware of the fact that we live in a county with an affluent government. One only has to look at the 2008 county budget to become aware of that fact.
The county commission adopted a $63.9 million 2008 spending budget last week. When the anticipated revenue is considered, along with the projected spending, Franklin is an affluent county.Few counties and private businesses can give a pay hike to its employees amounting to 5.7 percent. Franklin County has done that. It is called a "cost of living" increase. That amount is higher than most "cost of living" increases we have heard about.The county plans to spend $10,774,000 in 2008 on roads and bridges. That money will go for replacement of four bridges, 30 miles of road surface treatment and 60 more miles of converting gravel roads to hard surface. How many counties can afford to do that? The answer is very few.Franklin County will add more deputies and update equipment in the sheriff's department, including car computer systems, and will have anticipated income of $5.5 million from a half-cent sales tax in 2008.Many county offices are housed in a new Government Center building that cost $8 million. Construction is under way on an $8.4 million Judicial Center building, due to be completed in 2008. In the coming year, work is expected on renovating the old courthouse building at an estimated cost of $2.5 million. Work also is expected to begin on adding space at the county jail-estimated cost $2.6 million.These are the major expenditures in the new budget. How can the county afford all this spending? It is borrowing money guaranteed by voter-approved sales taxes. The new improvements, including road paving, will require considerably more expenses for maintenance. There will be some savings by vacating rental space. The county couldn't do any of this without voter approval of three sales taxes-now all half-cent levies. They are for the general revenue fund, capital improvements (roads and bridges) and law enforcement. In total, they are expected to produce about $16.5 million in 2008.The county also has revenue from its property taxes, which under reassessment usually increases considerably every other year. The budget lists tentative property tax rates of 0.1173 per $100 valuation for general revenue and 0.1941 for the road and bridge fund. In the future, the county should consider reducing those levies even more than is required by the phony state rollback provision. That would bring some relief to taxpayers, realizing that more than 70 percent of the property taxes go to public school districts. The truth is the county can still do very well even with reducing its property tax levies. We remember when the sales taxes were approved, voters were told that it may be possible to eliminate the property taxes altogether. We are not advocating that but there is no doubt here that they can be cut more than what is in the new budget. The county owes it to property taxpayers to give them more relief.The county is in good financial shape now, thanks to the voters who have provided the sales taxes. We remember what a veteran county official told us some years ago. "It's much easier to govern when you have the money." Franklin County has the money now. It also is incurring added operating and maintenance costs in buildings and roads, but the strong belief is that property taxes can be rolled back more and should be. The end of the road has been reached as far as going to taxpayers for more money is concerned.

'

TAX REFORM ACCORDING TO ED HILLHOUSE

2007-12-04T07:03:00.000-08:00

YA KNOW, MR. HILLHOUSE HAD THIS GREAT PLAN (BELOW) AND HAVE HEARD NOTHING MORE ABOUT IT. I N F A C T, MR. HILLHOUSE DID NOT FOLLOW THRU ON HIS MUCH BOASTED 2008 DECLARATION THAT HE WOULD REDUCE YOUR COUNTY TAXES BY 25% IN 2008 AND ANOTHER 25% IN 2009. (WANT TO KNOW WHY... SCROLL TO COP's .....BECAUSE HE RELIES ON YOUR TAX DOLLAR TO REPAY COP's AND THAT ISN'T LOOKING GOOD)
11/30/2007
Commissioner Lays Out Tax Reform Plan
By Sarah Wienke , Missourian Staff Writer

Presiding Commissioner Ed Hillhouse has a plan for tax reform that not only addresses property taxes, but calls for an overhaul of the state's entire taxing system.
He is calling for taxpayers, local government officials and legislators to join him in a "grassroots" movement to change the system. It would take state legislation, a constitutional amendment, and possibly a vote of the people to make the changes.

Hillhouse said he has received many phone calls from county taxpayers who are fed up with property taxes and are calling for a "revolt.""The public is saying 'enough is enough.' I agree with that. We need to look at a plan that lowers property taxes over a period of years."However, reducing or eliminating property taxes won't solve the entire problem."There are inequities with all taxes and we need to look at the big picture," Hillhouse said. "We need to look at what it takes to raise that money and be fair to the taxpayers."Hillhouse's plan is to implement a flat income tax that's fair to all Missourians. People below a certain income level wouldn't have to pay the percentage. Everyone else would pay the same percentage, whether they earn $25,000 a year or $100,000 a year.A sales tax that's competitive with other states also should be implemented, he said.Those taxes would replace the property tax. A minimal property tax still could be assessed if it is needed, he said."The combination of the two would be more equitable and would be a funding tool for the state of Missouri," Hillhouse said.He noted that this would prevent property assessments from consistently going up, providing a break for homeowners and enhancing economic development for the state.Currently, local governments abate property taxes to attract industry because the taxes have increased by so much, Hillhouse said. When the industries get a break, that causes the property taxes to increase for homeowners.Hillhouse said his plan will make the state more attractive to industries, which in turn will create more jobs, more income for workers, which will generate more income tax and sales tax revenue."I know this is controversial, but we need to have a plan and a vision and put it together in a time frame to phase it in," he said.Hillhouse said he will work with legislators to make his plan happen because it "will take leadership and willpower" to get this off the ground.The Missourian asked Hillhouse if he knew about a House Joint Resolution read Feb. 26, and sponsored by Rep. Kevin Threlkeld and cosponsored by Rep. Brian Nieves.It calls for a constitutional amendment to implement an alternative tax structure "designed to replace property tax revenues of the state and its political subdivisions" with a tax based on retail sales, personal income, or a combination of both. Hillhouse said he is aware of the resolution, but noted it's just a resolution."Where's the plan?" he said. "Where's the beef?"He said he "applauds" legislators for recognizing something needs to be done about property taxes and tax increment financing (TIF) reform, but there needs to be a concrete plan for addressing these issues.Legislators need to look at all taxes in the state and determine if they are necessary and if they are fair."In Missouri, we have one of the most convoluted ways to raise funds for our most important resources," Hillhouse said.Hillhouse gave the specific example of education. Schools are funded by the state through the Foundation Formula, through local property taxes, as well as a myriad of ancillary taxes including a gambling tax and a tobacco tax, he said.The revenue from these funding sources isn't divided equitably, and some school districts in the state build multimillion dollar Olympic-sized pools, while others don't have textbooks or adequate facilities, he said.Hillhouse told The Missourian that he knows that implementing a change of this magnitude won't be easy, because if it was, it already would've been done."But don't tell me it's impossible," he said. "It's been done before."He noted that in 1945, the people called for a new Missouri State Constitution. A committee worked together to look at the big picture and "made changes good for the state," Hillhouse said.Hillhouse is calling on Missourians to work together again to make a change."For a grassroots movement to happen, people have to have a plan they like," he said. "I'd be very satisfied if legislators took this idea and put it in a bill."

PROPOSITION LIFESAVERS - MERAMEC AMBULANCE

2006-04-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL.

CALL MERAMEC AMBULANCE DISTRICT PHONE 636-451-0870
MR.JOHN PARINI or CHRISTINE NEAL

PROPOSITION LIFESAFER:

*UPDATE* 3/30/06 CONFIRMATION THAT YOUR GROCERY ITEMS "WILL BE" CHARGED THE ADDITIONAL 1/2% SALES TAX ......CHECK IT OUT YOURSELVES..MO.DEPT.of REV.
SALES/USE TAX GROUP 573-751-2836

1. WHAT CITY PAYS ½% SALES TAX ……..EXACTLY?
The majority of ½% sales tax will impact Pacific, as they have the largest retail base.
The best argument, John Parini, Chief Administrator of Meramec Ambulance District could give, is that St. Albans also has a retail base and mentioned the following: Country Club, Heads Store, La Masion and other businesses that operate out of some homes.
2. EXACTLY WHERE WILL THE NEW STATION BE BUILT?
Told the exact location has not been determined, but did mention the following possibilities:
Fiddle Creek, St.Albans, or just somewhere in the Northern tier of the district.
3. MERAMEC AMBULANCE EXAMPLE: $100,000 PROPERTY VALUE @ .2714 TAX RATE PER $100 VALUE = $27.41
After 2 years, property tax would reduce by 18.75% that is $1.81. In State statute 144.552 It says in #2 & #3 there will be a 50% reduction of the “previous” years revenue collected from the ½% sales tax (which we interpret as, if the sales do not increase each year, neither will your property tax portion decrease any more than $1.81 per year)

MY EXAMPLE: $150 PER WEEK GROCERIES X .005 SALES TAX INCREASE = $39.00 1ST YR. SAME THE SECOND YEAR $39.00
(ESTIMATE FAMILY OF 4) That is a total of $78.00 the first 2 yrs in grocery alone (not to mention “most commonly used every day items” as the ambulance district puts it) less “anticipated” $1.81 decrease
Now Mr. Parini says groceries are not taxed, but in all of their printed material it DOES NOT say this. Mr. Parini told me, I would have to call Mo.Dept. of Revenue if I Needed clarification.

4. We invite you, the voter to visit the Mo.Dept. of Revenue Statutes, Chapter 144, sales and use
Tax section 144.010 thru 144.525 and 321.552 thru 321.556, and see if you can find “anywhere” that the addition of ½% sales tax for the ambulance district is not applied to groceries. www.moga.mo.gov">VISIT