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2020
Citizen’s Guide to County Finances
Boone County, Missouri
For the year ended December 31, 2020
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I am pleased to present the 2020 Boone County Citizens’ Guide to County Finances. This is the sixth year for publication of this condensed report. The County submitted last year’s report for independent review by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and received an Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting.
As your elected County Auditor, I am responsible for the County’s accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting activities. I am pleased to provide this additional information source for the people of Boone County which presents financial and demographic information in an easy-to-read format. The financial information in this report is taken from the County’s Fund Financial Statements presented within the 2020 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). However, because this report presents financial information in a summarized and less comprehensive manner, it does not conform to generally accepted accounting principles and reporting requirements for governmental entities and should not be used as a substitute for the ACFR.
The County’s financial activities are guided by formally-adopted fiscal and budget policies which are published in the annual budget document. Additionally, the County is committed to the highest standards of financial reporting and disclosure, preparing its financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to governmental entities. The County obtains an annual independent financial audit and receives an unmodified, or “clean”, audit opinion each year. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded Certificates of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the County each year since 1987. The ACFR, including the independent auditors’ report, is available on the County’s website at www.showmeboone.com/auditor/financial-reports/.
County operations have significantly expanded as a result of two voter-approved permanent sales tax levies: a one-fourth cent sales tax for Community Children’s Services (effective April 1, 2013) and a three-eighths cent sales tax for 911 and Emergency Management Services (effective October 1, 2013). The Community Children’s Services sales tax provides local funding for counseling,
family support, and temporary residential services. The 911 and Emergency Management sales tax led to the transfer of 911 and Emergency Management operations from the City of Columbia to Boone County coupled with expanded and improved services. The newly constructed Emergency Communications Center (ECC) was dedicated on September 11, 2016 with all operations relocated by mid-2017. County staff have turned their attention to the next phase of capital planning which encompasses improvements to the county-wide radio infrastructure network.
The County is primarily dependent on sales tax revenue to pay for day-to-day operations, but this important tax base continues to erode with the expansive growth of untaxed e-commerce activity. On June 21, 2018, in the South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc case, the United States Supreme Court ruled that physical presence is no longer required for a state to impose sales and use tax on a remote seller. The Missouri General Assembly passed legislation in May 2021 requiring out-of-state retailers to collect and remit state and local sales taxes for out-of-state purchases (i.e., a “use tax”); if signed by the governor, the new law would take effect January 2023, and Missouri would become the last state to impose this requirement on out-of-state retailers. Missouri law, however, requires voter approval of a “use tax” in order for locally-enacted sales taxes to be collected and remitted by out-of-state retailers. Therefore, if the legislation is signed into law, County officials will need to present a ballot measure to Boone County voters for approval.
I value the opportunity to serve as your County Auditor and hope that you find this report informative and useful in enhancing your understanding of Boone County’s finances.
Sincerely,
June E. Pitchford, CPABoone County Auditor
To the Citizens of Boone County
Table of Contents
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has given an Award for Outstanding
Achievement in Popular Annual Financial reporting to BOONE COUNTY GOVERNMENT for its Popular Annual Financial
Report (i.e., Citizen’s Guide to County Finances) for the fiscal year ended DECEMBER 31, 2019. The Award for
Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial reporting is a prestigious national award recognizing
conformance with the highest standards for preparation of state and local government popular reports.
In order to receive an Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting, a
government unit must publish a Popular Annual Financial Report, whose contents conform to program
standards of creativity, presentation, understandability, and reader appeal.
An Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting is valid for a period
of one year only. BOONE COUNTY GOVERNMENT received a Popular Award for 2019. We
believe our current report continues to conform to the Popular Annual Financial Reporting
requirements, and we are submitting it to GFOA to determine its eligibility for another
Award.
County Governance Structure............................4
Boone County Demographics................................6
How Do We Compare?..................................................8
Where the Money Comes From.....................................10
Where the Money Goes.........................................................12
Revenues & Expenditures............................................................14
Fund Balances.....................................................................................15
Sales Tax...................................................................................................16
County Workforce..........................................................................................18
Long-Term Debt...................................................................................................19
Special thanks to Wildys World (cover photo Boone County Bicentennial painting), Sean Mearidy (p9, p11, p19), and Jennifer Market (p9, p13, p17) for contributing photos for this year’s guide.
Citizen’s Guide to County Finances designed byL. Parks, Studio5Nine, LLC
June Pitchford
This report is published by the Boone County Auditor’s Office and is available on the County’s website at www.showmeboone.com/auditor. Other reports also available from this webpage include the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and the Annual Budget.
Questions or Comments? Contact the Boone County Auditor’s Office:
Roger B. Wilson Government Center801 E. Walnut, Room 304 Columbia, MO 65201 | Office phone: 573.886.4275 | FAX: 573.886.4280email: Boone_County_Auditor@boonecountymo.org
December 31, 2019
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County
Governance
Structure
13th JudicialCircuit Court Clerk
Christy Blakemore
County Clerk
Brianna Lennon
County Assessor
Tom Schauwecker
Prosecuting Attorney
Daniel Knight
Recorder of Deeds
Nora Dietzel
County Treasurer
Tom Darrough13th JudicialCircuit Court Judges
Court Administrator
Mary Epping
Director of Road & Bridge Maintenance Operations
Greg Edington
Director of HumanResources& Risk Management
Jennifer Redel
Director of Community Services
Joanne Nelson
County Counselor
CJ Dykhouse
Director of Purchasing
Melinda Bobbitt
Director of Facilities Maintenance& Housekeeping
Doug Coley
Director of Boone CountyEmergency Communications
Chad Martin
County Commission
Dan Atwill
Justin Aldred
Janet Thompson
County Auditor
June Pitchford
Public Administrator
Sonja Boone
Collector of Revenue
Brian McCollum
Sheriff
Dwayne Carey
The Court Administrator is appointed by the
Circuit Court Judges
All positions listed below are appointed by the County Commission.All positions listed below are appointed by the County Commission.
Officials listed below are elected by the Citizens of Boone County
Citizens of Boone County
Established in 1821, the County’s operational structure is
governed by state law. Elected to four-year terms, County
officials serve full-time. With the exception of the District
I and District II Commissioners, all are elected county-
wide. Circuit Court elected officials and most of their
staff are state-paid employees with additional positions
voluntarily funded by the County. For all other county
offices, elected officials and employees are paid by the
County. The County Commission appoints department
directors to oversee the day-to-day operations of various
county departments as well as the County Counselor who
serves as general counsel for the County. The County
Commission also appoints the Medical Examiner, services
obtained on a contractual basis from the University of
Missouri. The day-to-day operations of the 13th Judicial
Circuit Court are administered by a full-time elected
Circuit Court Clerk and a full-time Court Administrator
appointed by the Presiding Judge, with the consent of
the court en banc. For all other county offices, the full-
time elected official oversees the day-to-day operations.
Detailed organization charts for each department and
office are presented within the County’s annual budget
document.
The County Commission has limited ordinance-making
authority and is responsible for all County property as well
as approving the annual budget. The County Commission
is the appropriating authority for the County’s major
operating funds and certain other funds; however,
individual elected officials exercise appropriating
authority over a variety of special revenue funds, as
specified by state law. A description of all County funds is
included in the County’s annual budget document.
Director of Information Technology, GIS &Mail Services
Aron Gish
Director ofResource Management: Planning,Inspection& Engineering
Bill Florea
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Boone County
Demographics
SELECTED DEMOGRAPHICS 2018 2019 2020
County Population 180,005 180,463 183,610
Population Growth 0.97%0.25%1.71%
Median Household Income 54,043 55,328 *
Housing Units (Estimated) 78,940 79,354 *
School Enrollment (K-12) 20,950 22,845 23,798
County Unemployment Rate 2.3%2.4%4.2%
Number of Full-time Equivalent (FTE) County Employees 522.03 527.31 526.11
*Information Not Availabe At This Time
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
8,480 EMPLOYEES
University of Missouri
BOONE COUNTY PRINCIPAL EMPLOYERSBOONE COUNTYPOPULATION GROWTH
TOTAL COUNTY EMPLOYMENT 95,937
TOTAL PRINCIPALEMPLOYER EMPLOYMENT
25,951
University Hospital & Clinics
ColumbiaPublicSchools Veterans United Home Loans
Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital
City of Columbia
Boone Hospital Center
Shelter Insurance Companies
Joe Machens Dealership
Hubbell Power Systems, Inc.
5,304 EMPLOYEES
2,672 EMPLOYEES
2,360 EMPLOYEES
1,602 EMPLOYEES
1,371 EMPLOYEES
1,357 EMPLOYEES
1,277 EMPLOYEES
778 EMPLOYEES
750 EMPLOYEES
This chart displays 2019 information as 2020 information was not available.(27.05% OF TOTAL
COUNTY EMPLOYMENT)
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How Do We
Compare?
TAXABLE SALES PER CAPITA POPULATION GROWTH
SINCE 2010
A LOOK ACROSS THE STATE
JasperCounty BooneCounty JeffersonCounty ClayCounty GreeneCounty
County Seat Carthage Columbia Hillsboro Liberty Springfield
Land area in square miles 638 685 657 397 675
Population, 2020 estimate 122,761 183,610 226,739 253,335 298,915
Persons per square
mile 192 268 345 638 443
Population growth
since 2010 4.6%12.9%3.7%14.1%8.6%
High school graduate or higher 86.7%94.5%89.1%93.3%91.8%
Bachelor's degree or
higher 23.6%46.1%20.4%33.2%30.5%
Median household
income,
2015-2019
$48,357 $55,328 $65,454 $70,510 $46,086
Unemployment rate,
as of April 2020 5.7%4.2%6.1%6.1%5.3%
Taxable sales, 2020 (in billions)$2.04 $2.80 $2.44 $4.16 $5.91
Taxable sales per capita $16,618 $15,250 $10,761 $16,421 $19,772
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Texas
Pike
Dent
Linn
Bates
Ray
Polk
Barry
Iron
Cass
Howell
Saline
Macon
Pettis
Henry
Holt
Ozark
Franklin
Butler
Vernon
Adair
Miller
Shannon
Carroll
Boone
Wayne
Benton
Knox
Wright
Clark
OregonTaney
Ralls
Johnson
Nodaway
Ripley
Phelps
Laclede
Douglas
St Clair
Callaway
Clay
Osage
Chariton
Jasper
Lewis
Dade
Audrain
Lincoln
Monroe
Harrison
Perry
Barton
Greene
Stoddard
Cole
Sullivan
Dallas
Reynolds
Stone
Camden Crawford
Scott
Morgan
Cedar
Newton Carter
Maries
Cooper
Platte
Gentry
Jackson
Shelby
Pulaski
Daviess
Jefferson
Putnam
Lafayette
Dunklin
BollingerWebster
Mercer
Marion
Atchison
Washington
Clinton
Howard
Grundy
Christian
Lawrence
Warren
Andrew
Madison
St Charles
New Madrid
De Kalb
Livingston
Hickory
Mcdonald
Pemiscot
Scotland
Caldwell
Randolph
Worth
Gasconade
Moniteau
Montgomery
Buchanan
St Francois
Mississippi
Schuyler
Cape Girardeau
Ste Genevieve
St Louis County
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Where the Money
Comes From
Sales Taxes
47.8%
Investment Income& Other2.6%
Hospital Lease
1.9%
Interfund Services Provided4.3%Charges for Services10.4%
Intergovernmental Revenues26.5%
Licenses and Permits1%
Property and Franchise Taxes
5.5%SALES TAXES: County services are primarily funded with
locally generated sales tax revenues. The total voter-
approved sales tax rate for County purposes amounts
to 1.75%. Included in this total is a .50% rate for general
use with the remainder (1.25%) restricted to the specific
purposes of road infrastructure, law enforcement
services, community children’s services, and 911/
Emergency Management. Sales tax is inherently more
volatile than other sources of revenue. Boone County
mitigates the risk of this volatility through fiscal and
budget policies and the consistent application of sound,
conservative budgeting principles. Additional sales tax
information is presented later in this report.
Sales tax revenues increased by approximately 1.87% in
2020 after 2 successive years of declines, -0.71% in 2018
and -0.28%. County officials expected a decline in local
sales tax revenue; however, actual revenues exceeded
expectations for the year. Primary contributing factors
included exceptionally high vehicle sales volume and
higher construction costs which generated unexpected
increased sales tax revenues.
CHARGES FOR SERVICES: The County Commission
has limited authority to enact or change County fees
because most fees are established by state law. Such
fees include real estate recording fees, marriage license
fees, court-related fees, and property tax collection fees.
PROPERTY TAXES: The County is authorized to levy
a property tax for general purposes and for road and
bridge maintenance. The 2020 property tax rates (per
$100 of assessed valuation) were $0.12 for the General
Fund and $0.05 for the Road and Bridge Fund. For
comparison purposes, the 2020 property tax rates (per
$100 of assessed valuation) for Columbia Public Schools,
Southern Boone County Schools, City of Columbia, and
City of Centralia were $6.0988, $5.7918, $0.4075, and
$0.9529, respectively.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE: Revenue
received from other governments consists primarily
of state reimbursements and grant revenues. State
reimbursements are received for jail housing costs,
juvenile detention, property assessment, and child
support enforcement activities. These reimbursements
are subject to appropriation at the state level and have
been significantly reduced in recent years. The County
also receives distributions from state-wide motor fuel
taxes, state motor vehicle sales tax, state motor vehicle
licensing fees, as well as various law enforcement and
judicial grants.
HOSPITAL LEASE: Since September 1988, the county-
owned hospital, Boone Hospital Center, has been leased
to CH Allied Services, Inc. Pursuant to the terms of lease
(which has been amended and re-stated), the County
receives two payments: an unrestricted payment ($1.9
M) and a payment restricted for community medical and
health needs ($0.5 M). Both payments are indexed to
increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The current
lease agreement will terminate in December 31, 2021. It
is unknown at this time if additional agreements will be
entered into and what the impact to County revenue will
be.
REVENUES % 2020
Sales Taxes 47.8% $50,187,990
Property and Franchise Taxes 5.5% $5,811,824
Licenses and Permits 1.0% $1,097,922
Intergovernmental Revenues 26.5% $27,806,465
Charges for Services 10.4% $10,920,654
Interfund Services Provided 4.3% $4,477,004
Hospital Lease 1.9% $1,996,687
Investment Income & Other 2.6% $2,712,938
Total Revenues 100% $76,578,422
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Where the
Money Goes
Public Safetyand Judicial Services32.7%
Economic Vitality1.3%
Interfund Services Used
4.7%Debt Service(Principal & Interest)1.2%
Public Health and Community Services
19.2%
Capital Outlay
6.3%
General Government19.5%
Environmental, Protective Inspection, and Infrastructure
15.1%
The majority of county resources are directed to statutory functions of public safety & judicial services, to maintaining and improving the County’s transportation network, and to providing public health and community children’s services.
PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUDICIAL: The County provides funding for the Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff and Corrections, 911 and Emergency Management, the Public Administrator, the 13th Judicial Circuit Court, the Juvenile Detention Center, and various alternative sentencing programs. The County provides medical examiner services through contract with the University of Missouri and is required to provide office space for the state Public Defender. With voter approval of a new dedicated sales tax in 2013, 911 and Emergency Management operations transferred from the City of Columbia to Boone County. A newly constructed Emergency Communications Center was dedicated in September 2016 and relocation of operations was completed mid-year 2017.
ENVIRONMENT, PROTECTIVE INSPECTION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE: The County maintains approximately 800 miles of roadway infrastructure consisting of concrete, asphalt, and gravel surface types along with a variety of bridges and other drainage structures. Routine and preventative maintenance includes gravel application, asphalt and concrete patching/sealing, asphalt and concrete preservation and rehabilitation, ditching, vegetation control, and bridge
maintenance repair. Routine traffic services include street signing, regulatory signing, dust control, and snow and ice control. The County also provides planning and zoning, building inspection, building code enforcement, and storm water administration services.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT: The County provides various services including: record preservation (real estate transactions and marriage licenses); parcel mapping; assessment of real estate and personal property for taxing purposes; property tax collection, distribution, and reporting for all taxing entities within the County; voter registration and elections; information technology support; human resources and risk management; purchasing; accounting and financial reporting; budgeting; treasury and investment management; and County Commission operations.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES: The County provides contractual funding for the Boone County/City of Columbia Health Department, a city-administered department. In addition, voters approved a dedicated sales tax for community children’s services which became effective mid-year 2013. A nine-member Commission-appointed governing board is responsible for establishing annual funding allocations consistent with the eligible services allowed under state law which include counseling, family support, and temporary residential services to persons nineteen years of age or less. These services are administered through the County’s Community Services Department.
EXPENDITURES %2020
Public Safety & Judicial Services 32.7% $31,160,836
Environment, Protective Inspection, and
Infrastructure 15.1% $14,373,369
General Government 19.5% $18,639,248
Capital Outlay 6.3% $6,021,606
Public Health and Community Services 19.2% $18,359,382
Debt Service (Principal & Interest)1.2% $1,185,248
Interfund Services Used 4.7% $4,474,317
Economic Vitality 1.3% $1,222,957
Total Expenditures 100.00% $95,436,963
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Revenue &
Expenditure
by Fund
for the year ending 2020
Fund
Balances
as of December 31, 2020
Governmental funds are used to account for the revenues and expenditures associated with the County’s
governmental functions and activities. Revenues available for any governmental purpose are accounted for within
the General Fund whereas revenues restricted as to use are accounted for within separate funds. Over 60% of the
County’s revenues are restricted as to use.
Governmental funds are classified as “major” or “nonmajor”, according to established standards. The chart above shows the relationship between aggregate
revenues and expenditures for each major fund and for all nonmajor funds combined as well as total revenues and
expenditures for all funds combined. Detailed financial information for each individual fund is presented in the
County’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), which is available at www.showmeboone.com/auditor/
financial-reports/.
GENERAL FUND— revenue exceeded expenditures due to unexpected increases in sales tax revenue and catch-
up state reimbursements for inmate costs. In addition, expenditures were lower than expected due to extended
staff turnover and extended vacancies along with reduced travel costs resulting from the pandemic.
ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND— revenues exceeded expenditures primarily because expenses were lower than
expected; these reductions resulted primarily from delays in various road projects; the delays were attributable to
various pandemic-related factors.
COMMUNITY CHILDREN’S SERVICES FUND— expenditures exceeded revenues due to payments on
prior year open encumbrances made throughout the year.
911/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FUND AND ECC DEBT SERVICE FUND (COMBINED)— revenue exceeded expenditures primarily due to unexpected increases
in sales tax revenue, high staff turnover and extended vacancies, and several large infrastructure improvement
projects being delayed. The unspent revenues will be used for future improvements to the technology and radio
infrastructure network.
LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUND— revenues exceeded expenditures slightly, primarily due to staff
vacancies and turnover.
NONMAJOR FUNDS— expenditures exceeded revenues primarily because of planned spending in capital project
funds.
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Revenues Expenditures
REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES BY FUND
FUND BALANCE is the net difference between the assets and liabilities of a governmental fund. Throughout the
year, significant portions of fund balance consist of receivables associated with property taxes, sales taxes, and
reimbursement revenues. Therefore, fund balance should NOT be confused with cash on hand. To ensure
adequate cash flow throughout the year, County policy requires a minimum fund balance equal to two month’s
expenditures (17%) within each of the major funds. Fund balance amounts that exceed minimum requirements are available for appropriation through the budgeting process.
COMMUNITY CHILDREN’S SERVICES FUND*
$4.7M
Fund balance available for future budget needs
• $6.3 million budgeted in fiscal year 2021
• $0.2 million encumbered on contracts
• $2.3 million required minimum fund balance
Total fund balance at December 31, 2020: $13.5M
GENERAL FUND 911 AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FUND*
$15.7M
Fund Balance available for future budget needs
$13.2M
Fund Balance available for future budget needs
• $2.3 million budgeted in fiscal year 2021• $0.8 million encumbered on contracts• $0.3 million designated to specific purposes/project• $5.4 million required minimum fund balance
Total fund balance at December 31, 2020: $24.5M
• $0.8 million encumbered on
contracts• $10.3 million designated for
technologiy/radio infrastructure improvements
• $1 million required minimum fund balance
Total fund balance at
December 31, 2020: $26.5M
LAW ENFORCEMENTSERVICES FUND*
$0.8M
Fund balance available for future budget needs
• $0.3 million budgeted in fiscal year
2021 • $1.3 million designated for future
out-of-facility inmate housing costs• $0.7 million required minimum fund
balance
Total fund balance at December 31, 2020: $3.1M
ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND ECC CAPITAL PROJECT FUND & NONMAJOR FUNDS*
$4.8M
Fund balance available for future budget needs
$6.9M
Fund balance available for future budget needs
• $1.9 million budgeted in fiscal year
2021 • $2.2 million encumbered on
contracts • $5.0 million designated for future
infrastructure projects • $3.4 million required minimum fund
balance
Total fund balance at December 31, 2020: $17.3M
• $2.1 million budgeted in fiscal year
2021 • $0.1 million encumbered on
contracts • $5.0 million designated for capital
projects • $0.6 million restricted to debt service
Total fund balance at December 31, 2020: $14.7M
*The resources of this fund may only be used for specific purposes, such as those allowed by state law or ballot language. Because of this, the revenues, expenditures, and fund balance are accounted for within a separate and distinct fund and not co-mingled with general revenues or the resources of any other fund. For many of the nonmajor funds, an elected official other than the County Commission is the appropriating authority.
FUND BALANCE
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Sales Tax
SALES TAX County sales tax levies are authorized by
state law and subject to voter approval. The sales tax
levy for roads (0.500%) was initially approved by voters
in 1993 for five years and has been renewed three times
for ten-year periods, expiring September 30, 2028. This
tax levy is accompanied by a voluntary property tax
rollback and the County intends to seek voter approval
for renewal. All other County sales tax levies are
permanent.
The municipal sales tax rates shown above are intended
to provide a rate comparison of Boone County’s various
municipalities with those of nearby communities. All
rates are effective as of January 1, 2021.
SALES TAX RATESCITIES IN BOONE COUNTYSTATE, COUNTY AND CITY RATES COMBINED
McBaine, Midway,
Prathersville, Wilton 5.975%
Hartsburg, Huntsdale,
& Village of Pierpont 6.475%
Harrisburg 6.975%
Hallsville 7.600%
Rocheport 7.475%
Columbia & Sturgeon 7.975%
Ashland & Centralia 8.475%
SALES TAX COMPARISON
Columbia 7.975%
Boonville 9.100%
Fayette 7.975%
Jefferson City 7.725%
Fulton 9.225%
Sedalia 8.225%
Moberly 8.475%
Macon 8.600%
Warrensburg 8.850%
Kirksville 8.350%
Mexico 8.850%
Springfield 8.100%
Lee's Summit 8.100%
TAXABLE SALES PER CAPITA Taxable Sales is the
County’s primary tax base and Boone County’s ability
to fund services over time is significantly impacted by
its stability and growth. Historically, population growth
has been a key factor influencing local taxable sales and
sales tax revenue was strongly correlated to population
growth. In the chart on the facing page, the decline in
taxable sales per capita reflects the on-going erosion
of this tax base through untaxed e-commerce. The
County’s population continues to grow at a steady and
strong rate; however, the County’s primary operating
revenue has been largely flat (and sometimes shrinking)
in recent years.
Boone County’s taxable sales per capita compares
favorably to that for the state of Missouri as a whole;
however, it reflects a declining trend.
COUNTYWIDE SALES TAXRATE BREAKDOWN
State 4.225%
County General Revenue 0.500%Permanent
County Maintenance-Roads 0.500%Renewable
County Law Enforcement Services 0.125%Permanent
Community Children’s Services 0.250%Permanent
911/Emergency Management 0.375%Permanent
Combined State & County Sales Tax Rate 5.975%
TAXABLE SALES PER CAPITA
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w
Boone County
Workforce
For fiscal year 2020, Boone County’s
work force totaled approximately
533 budgeted full-time equivalent
(FTE) positions, a slight increase
over the prior year. The overall size
of Boone County’s employee work
force has remained stable relative to
population over the last 10 years, as
shown in the chart above. There are
approximately 3 County employees
for each 1,000 residents.
Approximately 60% of the workforce
is concentrated in public safety,
which has grown significantly since
2013, a result of the transfer of Joint
Communications and Emergency
Management activities from the City
FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT (FTE)POSITIONS BY FUNCTION
NUMBER OF BUDGETED FTE POSITIONSPER 1000 RESIDENTS
of Columbia to Boone County.
The State of Missouri provides
funding for 38 FTEs for the Circuit
Court Clerk’s office and 23.5 FTEs
for the Circuit Court. The County-
paid court positions supplement the
workforce provided by the state.
Long-Term Debt
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONSAS OF DECEMBER 31, 2020
The County’s long-term debt consists of employee benefit obligations and bonds payable. Overall, the amount of
long-term debt is very low.
COMPENSATED ABSENCES AND OTHER DEBT: amounts
owed to county employees for vacation leave accrued according to county personnel policies, unamortized
amounts associated with bonded debt, and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) associated with the County’s self-insured health plan.
SPECIAL OBLIGATION BONDS: issued to construct and/or improve various county-owned facilities and are
being retired through annual appropriations from county revenues. The debt will be fully retired in 2034. The
County issued approximately $13.3 million in additional
debt during 2015 to construct the new Emergency Communications Center (ECC); at December 31st, $10.5
million was still outstanding. This debt is being retired
with proceeds from the 911/Emergency Management sales tax.
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS: issued to construct road and sewer neighborhood improvement district
(NID) projects and are being retired through special assessments billed to property owners. No property taxes are levied nor are County resources used to retire this
debt; it will be fully retired in 2036. The County expects to
CHANGES IN OUTSTANDING BONDED DEBT
General Obligation Bonds SpecialObligation Bonds Compensated Absences & Other
In 2015, the County issued $13.3 million in Special Obligation Bonds to design and construct the Emergency Communications Center. The new facility houses the operations of Boone County Joint Communications (911 call-taking and dispatching) and Boone County Emergency Management. At December 31st, $10.5 million remained outstanding and it will be fully retired in 2034.
$2.97M
$1.05M
$9.94M
issue additional debt associated with the NID program, all of which will be retired through special assessments.
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