§ 137.030 RSMo — Levy for library purposes

1. Any county, or other political subdivision otherwise authorized by law to support and conduct a library, may levy for library purposes in addition to the limits prescribed in Article X of the Constitution a rate of taxation on all property subject to its taxing powers in an amount as now or hereafter prescribed by law; provided, that political subdivisions now having or hereafter having a population of not less than two hundred thousand inhabitants nor more than six hundred thousand inhabitants according to the last federal decennial census are authorized to levy for library purposes a rate which shall not exceed ten cents on the hundred dollars assessed valuation, annually, on all taxable property in such subdivision and may, upon compliance with the provisions of subsection 2 of this section, levy an additional tax, annually, on all taxable property in such subdivision.

2. In political subdivisions now having or hereafter having a population of not less than two hundred thousand inhabitants nor more than six hundred thousand inhabitants according to the last federal decennial census and levying the full tax of ten cents for library purposes provided for in subsection 1, the governing board or other governing body of the political subdivision may submit the question to the voters.

3. The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form:

4. If a majority of all of the votes cast on the question is for the proposed grant of additional authority to levy tax, the governing board or other governing body of the political subdivision may thereafter annually levy a tax within the limitation of the authority granted, the tax to be collected in like manner with other taxes for the political subdivision.

5. Nothing contained in this section or done pursuant to its provisions shall be construed to waive or satisfy the duty of the general assembly, under Section 10 of Article IX of the Constitution of this state, to grant aid to any free public library supported by the political subdivision, in such manner and in such amounts as may be provided by law. Any tax rate authorized hereunder may, pursuant to Section 11(c) of Article X of the Constitution of this state, be levied in excess of the rates of taxation authorized by law for general municipal, county or school purposes of the political subdivision.