September Public Affairs Committee Report
By Heath Clarkston
HBA hosts ICC Officials on Possible 2018 Building Code in Cole County
On August 19th, the HBA hosted a meeting for membership to listen to representatives from the International Code Council on the proposed updates to the Cole County Building Codes. The meeting provided an overview of the process to which the ICC develops building codes, why building codes are needed in communities, and allowed members to ask direct questions on the proposed 2018 versions to which are under consideration.
Cole County has not updated their building codes since 1999, and many of today’s current building standards and practices have changed since the time when the 2000 IBC codes were adopted. Further, the ICC no longer publishes the 2000 IBC codes and thus they have become obsolete in the industry.
At this stage, Cole County is proposing updates to the codes as follows:
- 2000 International Building Code to the 2018 International Building Code;
- 2000 International Residential Code to the 2018 International Residential Code;
- 2000 International Plumbing Code to 2018 International Plumbing Code;
- 2002 National Electric Code to the 2017 National Electric Code;
- Adoption of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code;
- Adoption of the 2018 International Mechanical Code;
- Adoption of the 2018 International Existing Building Code;
- Adoption of the 2018 International Fire Code
The HBA will continue to work with the Cole County Public Works Department as this process continues. The Cole County Public Works Department is planning to schedule another public forum soon to ensure that all residential housing contractors and subcontractors are aware of the changes ahead and have ample opportunity to provide input in the process.
In addition, once adopted, the ICC has offered to provide in-person training sessions in Jefferson City for our membership to help our industry better understand the new codes and make themselves a resource.
A copy of the current proposed changes can be found at:
https://colecounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/14316/Title-1-2018-Code-Adoption
JEFFERSON CITY HALF-CENT SALES TAX ON AUGUST BALLOT
On August 4th, Jefferson City voters overwhelmingly supported an extension of the existing ½ cent capital improvements sales tax. The 10-year extension passed with over 75% of voters in support. Cole County voters also approved of a similar measure in April. The HBA continues to support this necessary sales tax that funds key and essential infrastructure projects across the city and county. Per documents provided to the HBA, of the city’s revenue from tax, they currently allocate roughly 60% to their public works department, 10% to public safety, 10% to parks, and the remainder to contingency funds and technology.
MISSOURI PRIMARY ELECTION HELD ON AUGUST 4th
Missouri’s August primary produced significant legislative turnover, several notable incumbent defeats, and decisive statewide votes on four constitutional amendments.
Seventeen of Missouri’s 34 Senate seats were on the ballot. Eleven were open—nine due to term limits, one because Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman chose not to seek reelection, and one following Senator Travis Fitzwater’s departure to become Executive Director of the Missouri Technology Corporation. Of the six incumbent senators on the ballot, only one—Senator Curtis Trent—was defeated.
In addition to substantial membership turnover, the Missouri Senate will also undergo a significant leadership transition. Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin and Senate Majority Leader Tony Luetkemeyer are among the term-limited senators leaving office, requiring the Senate Republican Caucus to elect an entirely new leadership team for the 2027 General Assembly. The unexpected defeat of Senator Curtis Trent, who was widely viewed as an influential member of the caucus, further reshapes the Senate’s future leadership landscape.
Statewide, voters approved Amendments 1 and 2 while overwhelmingly rejecting Amendments 4 and 5. Governor Mike Kehoe indicated his administration intends to continue pursuing both election integrity reforms and tax policy changes through the legislative process. The defeat of Amendment 5, the repeal of the state income tax to be replaced by a broader state sales tax, did not come as a surprise to many. However, the margin of defeat was alarming as only 17% of Missouri voters supported.
In local races:
US Congress District 5 (newly created US Congressional District):
Republican State Senator Rick Brattin easily won the primary and will face US Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II in November in the newly created US House Congressional district.
State Senate District 6 (Mike Bernskoetter term limited from state office):
Republican Jake Vogel garnered 26% of the vote in a six-person race to win the primary and will now face Democrat J. Don Salcedo in the November General Election.
State Representative District 59 (Rudy Viet term limited from State House):
Republican Carrie Tergin received 44% of the vote in a three-way primary and will now face Democrat Becky Kroll in the November General Election.
State Representative District 60 (David Griffith term limited from State House):
Republican Shane Kampeter received 49% of the vote in a three-way primary and will now face Democrat Suzane Luther in the November General Election.
Cole County Presiding Commissioner (Sam Bushman did not seek re-election):
State Senator Mike Bernskoetter won handily and will now face Charles Steck in November. Steck will appear on the ballot as an independent as he qualified by collecting sufficient signatures to be considered.
Cole County Clerk:
State Representative Dave Griffith won the Republican primary election over City Councilman Jeff Ahlers. Griffith will run unopposed on the November ballot.
For complete unofficial election results, including statewide, legislative, congressional, judicial and local contests, a link to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Election Night Reporting website is available here.