The 75th General Assembly in 1969 established Senate Bill 40 (SB 40) which enabled voters to approve a tax to pay for services for persons with certain handicaps.
The bill provided local control and support for a variety of community-based programs and services for persons with handicaps. The statute permitted county taxes of up to 40 cents per $100 total assessed valuation to support such programs. It needed only a majority of voters to approve the tax. The amount of the tax was limited to 20 cents per $100 valuation in Jackson and St. Louis Counties and in the City of St. Louis.
The same legislation established a SB 40 Board of Directors to oversee programs for the developmentally disabled. The board was to consist of nine members "who two shall be related by blood or marriage within the third degree to handicapped persons as defined in Section 205.968, and four shall be public members." The term of office was set at three years, though they may be reappointed. The appointments in Stoddard County are made by the County Commission.
Voters in Stoddard County approved a 10 cent per $100 total evaluation in an election held Aug. 3, 1976. The SB 40 Board adopted the name of Stoddard County Sheltered Facilities Board.
The original bill defined a "Sheltered workshop" as an occupation-oriented facility operated by a not-for-profit corporation, which, except for its staff, employs only persons with disabilities and has a minimum enrollment of at least fifteen employable persons with disabilities. The SB Bill has been amended several times since it was passed in 1969.
A 1972 amendment (SB 449) "required ballot language to state exact amount of tax being voted upon."
A 1975 amendment (HBV 240) "permitted establishment of residential facilities other than those associated with sheltered workshop, permitted contracting for services at various locations; expanded eligibility to include persons with developmental disabilities with age exclusion."
A 1977 amendment (SB 359) "clarified that services other then residence and sheltered workshops could be funded."
A 1979 amendment (HB 797) "staggered terms of County SB 40 Board members."
A 1984 amendment (HB 1385) "further clarified that otherwise eligible persons may receive services, regardless of age, gave SB 40 Boards exclusive control of all tax revenues, required bonded SB 40 Board treasurers."
A 1990 amendment (HB 1383) "added a 'functional' definition of "developmental disability regarding eligibility for service; increased maximum amount of levy to four mills except in Jackson and St. Louis Counties and City of St. Louis."
Section 205.968 states, "The board may, in its discretion, impose limitations with respect to individuals to be served and services to be provided. Such limitations shall be reasonable in the light of available funds, needs of the persons and community to be served as assessed by the board, and the appropriateness and efficiency of combining services to persons with various types of handicaps and disabilities."
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, and irrespective of whether or not a county sheltered workshop or residence facility has been established, the board may contract to provide services relating in whole or in part to the services which the board may provide to handicapped persons as defined in this law and for such purpose may expend the tax funds or other funds.
Currently SB 40 provides funding to ARC, residential housing and the Sheltered Workshop. Both the ARC and Sheltered Workshop have their own board of directors. Funding for the county tax goes to the SB 40 Board, which in turn decides which facilities and programs will be funded. Percentages of the distribution of funds as provided by the Sheltered Facilities Board are 36.7 percent to the Sheltered Workshop, 24.8 to Stoddard County ARC, 21 percent to the Mo. Department of Mental Health as part of matching funds, and administrative (legal, accounting, etc) 17.5 percent.
The SB 40 board contracts with Stoddard County Targeted Case Management, Inc. for administration.
Sheltered Facilities Board members are Chairman Joe Weber, Vice Chairman Clay Prough, Secretary/Treasurer Larry McGonigal, Sheila Alsup, Deb McKay, Robin Rickman, Bonnie Blue, Sherri Holifield and Don Rhodes.