251.030. Functions of department.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

251.030. Functions of department.

Functions of department.

251.030. The department shall assist the politicalsubdivisions and communities of this state, administer programsprovided by sections 251.010 to 251.440, encourage localinitiative, provide coordination of and liaison with applicablefederal and state programs and services, and shall:

(1) Gather and disseminate information and material that maybe helpful in the improvement of political subdivisions andcommunities of this state, including information on availablefederal and state financial and technical assistance;

(2) Assist local governments by establishing and maintaininga program of training for local governmental officials and otherpersonnel;

(3) Provide, when requested to do so by a politicalsubdivision, technical and consultative services. Such servicesmay be provided in cooperation with other state agencies orinstitutions;

(4) Study and recommend to the governor methods of moreeffectively coordinating the programs of state agencies thataffect the development of communities and the operation ofpolitical subdivisions;

(5) Encourage and assist local governments to developsolutions of their common problems, through joint serviceagreements, interstate compacts, and other appropriate means, andto foster common services between the state government and itspolitical subdivisions when such common services offer promise ofbetter services and economy;

(6) Carry out continuing studies, research and analysis ofproblems faced by the political subdivisions of the stateincluding studies of the existing legal provisions that affecttheir structure, operation and financing. In carrying out suchstudies and analysis, special emphasis shall be given to theproblems of metropolitan, suburban and other areas in whicheconomic and population factors are rapidly changing;

(7) Encourage educational institutions in the state todevelop research activities and to provide educational programsfor state and local governments in order to foster communitydevelopment;

(8) Exercise the state's responsibility for administering,supervising, coordinating and generally performing the role ofstate government as set forth in those federal programsconcerning community affairs which are assigned to the departmentby the general assembly or by the governor;

(9) Supply information, advice, and assistance, whenrequested, to governmental or civic groups which are studyingproblems of local government;

(10) Serve as a liaison between local government officialsand the governor in formulating policy on state-local matters;

(11) Assist, confer and cooperate with associations andorganizations of local government officials;

(12) Establish field offices or otherwise arrange for staffassistants who will be assigned to particular sections of thestate within the limits of the appropriations to the department.Such office representatives will seek to expedite and coordinateprojects of local interest which involve the state government.