Special district leaders from across Missouri virtually met May 29 to kickoff efforts to develop an organization to network, educate, and advocate for all types of district services.
Elected and appointed board members, district administrators, and stakeholders from fire protection, ambulance, 911 communications, public water supply, and library districts began discussing foundational issues that many of Missouri’s 1,900+ special districts face for governance and advocacy perspective. The purpose of collaborative effort is to move the state’s districts forward as an organized voice for advocacy in Jefferson City and to pool resources to meet the daily needs of districts’ services.
This grassroots effort has been dubbed the “Missouri Special Districts Steering Committee.”
Early Steering Committee Priorities
The Committee’s initial conversation was focused on identifying common unmet needs that special districts face across the state and regardless of district type. Over the course of the discussion, district leaders homed in on seven early priorities for focused efforts to unite, strengthen, and advance the Show-Me-State’s special districts:
- Educating state policymakers in Jefferson City on the importance of special districts services and advocating on issues that bind many districts together such as property tax legislation.
- Fostering governance education and resources for special districts on major topics such as the Missouri Sunshine Law, levy calculation, and more.
- Developing tools and guidance to help special districts navigate intergovernmental partnerships (or the lack thereof).
- Exploring the viability of a statewide insurance and benefits pool for special districts and their employees.
- Creating a stronger network for special districts’ communications in all corners of the state – rural, suburban, and urban alike – to better message on important trends impacting districts and alert more district leaders on important issues for advocacy.
- Identifying means for strategic and operations planning for districts.
- Assisting special districts with identification and pursuit of grant and finance opportunities.
More About the Committee & Getting Involved
The May 29 conversation was the first of several planned in the coming months. Additional district leaders are welcome to be part of the effort to advise and lead development of the special districts organization.
The American Association of Special Districts (AASD) is proudly coordinating this grassroots effort and will assist with the state organization’s development, as led by Missouri’s leaders.
District leaders and stakeholders interested in joining the Missouri Special Districts Steering Committee are encouraged to read more here and to share their interest with completion of this Microsoft Form.The Steering Committee is slated to meet again via Zoom on Thursday, June 26, at 10 a.m. Central Time.
AASD will also coordinate an issues roundtable for special district leaders on Wednesday, June 4, at the Camden County Library District’s Osage Beach Branch. Learn more about the roundtable and register here.
More about Missouri’s Special Districts
More than 1,900 special districts provide local public services in all of Missouri’s 114 counties and St. Louis City – covering all 6.2 million Missourians. Special districts are by far the most common form of local government in the state, altogether providing emergency services and public safety, water utilities, library, flood control, soil and water conservation, hospital, healthcare, road, park, transit, and more. Under Missouri law, this even includes University of Missouri Extensions and “SB 40 Boards” that provide employment opportunities for developmentally disabled Missourians. Contact Cole Arreola-Karr, AASD Executive Director, for questions about the Steering Committee at contact@americasdistricts.org.