The southern district of the Missouri Court of Appeals declined to intervene Monday in a squabble between Texas County and City of Houston governments.
The Texas County Commission challenged the approval of a Community Improvement District that was authorized by the Houston City Council on behalf of the county’s hospital, Texas County Memorial Hospital.
The commission last Thursday asked the southern district of the Missouri Court of Appeals in Springfield to halt a recent decision by the 25th Circuit Court after the commission and George Sholtz of Upton opposed it locally in court. Circuit Judge Bill Hickle ruled in favor of the city.
At issue is the formation of a district near the hospital that creates a temporary quarter-cent sales tax with proceeds going to the completion of surgical wing at Texas County Memorial Hospital, which is Houston’s largest employer. The TCMH board of trustees sought permission from the council, as allowed by state law, as a part of strategy to increase surgical revenue following the hiring of a second surgeon.
The commission questioned whether the city performed its duties in state statute to verify property owners who are listed as agreeing to join the district.