Law creates more oversight and accountablity of local taxing districts

Gov. Jay Nixon signed Senate Bill 1002 Wednesday, a measure that will increase oversight, transparency and accountability of local taxing districts.

The law will give State Auditor Nicole Galloway more authority to conduct audits of community improvement districts (CID), such as the Business LOOP CID in Columbia or the Walmart area CID in Jefferson City.

Galloway will now be able to audit without a petition from residents.

“When residents vote to improve their community through local taxing districts, they expect these districts to be held accountable and follow the law, ” said Gov. Nixon. “This legislation will provide taxpayers additional protection by strengthening the State Auditor’s ability to root out wrongdoing and mismanagement.”

There are more than 300 CIDs in the state.