1714 Bill No. 719 Business Licensing Fee on Public Utilities

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RICH HILL, MISSOURI CALLING AN ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2020 FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING THE IMPOSITION AND COLLECTION OF A BUSINESS LICENSING FEE ON PUBLIC UTILITIES.

            WHEREAS, the City of Rich Hill is authorized to impose a license fee on public utilities pursuant to Section 94.270, RSMo; and

            WHEREAS, the City has imposed said fees since its incorporation; and

            WHEREAS, the City wishes to impose and collect a business license fee on public utilities, which include telephone service, gas service, water service, and electric service; and

            WHEREAS, the Board of Aldermen believes it is in the best interests of the City of Rich Hill and its residents to take all steps necessary to impose and collect a business license fee on public utilities, if approved and authorized by the qualified voters.

            NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF RICH HILL, MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1.  An election is hereby ordered to be held in the City of Rich Hill, Missouri, on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of the City the following proposition:

Shall the City of Rich Hill, Missouri impose a license or occupation tax in a sum equal to seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the gross receipts derived from business within the City on every person, firm or corporation now or hereafter engaged in the business of supplying or furnishing telephone service, gas service, water service, and electric service?

Section 2. If a majority of the votes cast on the question by the qualified voters voting thereon are in favor of the question, then the City Clerk upon receipt of the election certificate from the Election Authority shall certify the results of such election.

Section 3. The City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to notify the Bates County Clerk, as the election authority of Bates County, Missouri, of the adoption of this ordinance and include in that notification all of the terms and provisions required by Chapter 115, RSMo, as amended, including a certified copy of the legal notice of election.  This election shall be held and conducted and the result thereof shall be canvassed in all respects in conformity with the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, and in accordance with appropriate ordinances adopted by the Board of Aldermen of Rich Hill, Missouri.  The Notice of Election and ballot to be used at this election shall be in substantially the same form as is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Section 4. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of its passage and approval.

            PASSED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF RICH HILL, MISSOURI THIS 12TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2020.

                                                                        ___________________________________

                                                                        Jason Rich, Mayor

ATTEST:

____________________________

Casey Crews, City Clerk

Ayes: Tourtillott, Robb, Humble

Nays: None

Absent: Kassner