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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1083 Utility Tax Chapter 705 BILL NO. 2011-031 ORDINANCE NO. IO S 3 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE, MISSOURI, ENACTING A NEW SECTION 705.020 ENTITLED "NO AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENTS" OF CHAPTER 705 "UTILITY TAX" OF TITLE VII "UTILITIES" OF THE RIVERSIDE CITY CODE WHEREAS, Section 393.275 requires municipalities to either roll back the rate of gross receipts taxes imposed on utilities or pass an ordinance maintaining the existing rates despite the increase in gross receipts to the utility as a result of a tariff increase; and WHEREAS, the City currently imposes a license fee of 5% of the licensee's gross receipts from the sale of gas, electricity, water or telephone service; and WHEREAS, the City Code of the City of Riverside, Missouri does not currently provide for "No Automatic Adjustments" of the city's utility tax and the Board of Aldermen find and the Board of Aldermen find that it is in the best interest of the City to ensure there is no reduction in the revenue received from gross receipts from such utility companies; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE, MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1— ENACTMENT OF SECTION 705.020 OF THE CITY CODE. The City Code of the City of Riverside, Missouri is hereby amended by adding a new section to Title VII "Utilities", in Chapter 705 "Utility Tax", to read as follows: Section 705.020 — No Automatic Adjustments: Pursuant to Section 393.275 I RSMo., and any and all other applicable authority, the City shall maintain the tax rate of its business license taxes on the gross receipts of gas, electric and water utilities without reduction, notwithstanding any periodic fluctuations in the tariffs of such utility corporations or any notice thereof including, but not limited to, notice sent under Section 393.275, RSMo., as amended. SECTION 2— REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. SECTION 3— SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. The provisions of this ordinance are severable and if any provision hereof is declared invalid, unconstitutional or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this ordinance. SECTION 4— EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of its passage and approval. BE IT REMEMBERED that the above was read two times by heading only, passed and approved by a majority of t�e�3oard of AI erm n and app�Qved by the Mayor of the City of Riverside, Missouri, this --� day of !�-1.J , 2011. L��e.�,c��C . a leen L. Rose, Mayor ATT APPR S TO FORM: .�� ���Z`'�.y�,�¢� Robin Littrell, City Clerk a ps , City Attorney CITY OF RIVERSI.�� � �,�--- ,�1�6.m ����� Upstream from ordinary. 2950 NW Vivion Road Riverside, Missouri 64150 AGENDA DATE: September 6, 201 I TO: Mayor and Board of Aldermen FROM: Nancy Thompson, City Attorney RE: City Code Amendment — Utility Tax "No Automatic Adjustment" BACKGROUND: In reviewing the City Code provisions related to utility taxes, it was discovered the code was outdated as it relates to protecting the City from a requirement contained in Section 393.275 RSMo to roll back the gross receipts tax in the event of a rate increase greater than 7%. The state law requirement is that in the event of an increase of more than 7%, the City must determine its current revenue stream from the fee and calculate the average rate of increase over the prior three years to determine the rate going forward. The City has the option of opting out of the roll back requirement by enacting an ordinance. The City currently imposes a utility tax of 5% on gross receipts of gas, electric and water utilities. The proposed ordinance would ensure the City's license fees would not be affected in the event a utility is granted a rate increase in excess of 7%. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like any additional information in advance of the meeting.