January 5, 2010
Rep. Day Files Legislation Allowing Commissioners to Change Appointment Process of Sewer District Trustees
Jefferson City –Rep. David Day (R-Dixon), filed a bill for consideration during the 2010 legislative session that would allow customers of a sewer district to vote on who sits on their local Sewer Boards. The bill proposes to give the governing body of the county the authority to establish the elections of a sewer districts trustees. The proposed legislation has 3 main provisions, they are:
· Allows County Commissions to do a one-time change from the current appointed process of trustees to making it an elected position.
· If the County Commissioners change to the elected process, they are charged with drawing the district lines and there are provisions in the bill allowing them to change those lines as population changes or new areas of service are added.
· The board must have a minimum of 5 members as they currently do, the majority of the districts drawn must represent areas that currently receive service. The number of board members can be expanded if the commission feels it is needed now or in the future.
“Currently, sewer district trustees are appointed by the county’s governing body. I think the county commissioners should be able to allow citizens to choose their trustees if they want to,” said Rep. Day. “This legislation does not mandate a change be made, I am a firm believer in local control and that is what this bill is about, allowing the governing body of each county in our state the ability to make this change only if they want to. Should they make the change, there are very few restrictions from the state. Most counties are very unique and have different challenges; this legislation will allow each county to address their situations as they need to while still allowing the citizens the ability to decide who represents them on their Sewer Board.
Rep. Day’s legislation is House Bill 1505. This year’s session began at noon on January 6th, 2010.