Education

Elementary and High Schools: Information regarding the public schools can be obtained by contacting the Superintendent of Schools, 925 Felix Street, 816-671 -4000. For information regarding parochial or private schools, please contact your local parish or schools.

License and/or Fees

Automobile License: New Missouri residents must title and register all leased or owned motor vehicles or road trailers in Missouri within 30 days of the date they establish residency. The following three documents are necessary when purchasing a motor vehicle license:

(1 ) The out-of-state title of the vehicle. If the vehicle is being financed, the St. Joseph branch office will assist you in contacting your mortgage company for the title. If no title, you must bring current registration. The current mileage must be noted on the application for title. If the vehicle was purchased in another state within the last 90 days, proof that sales tax was paid will be required.

(2) A Missouri motor vehicle inspection can be at any St. Joseph service station, car dealership, or garage displaying the official Missouri State Inspection Station sign. Inspections must be used for the purchase of license plates within 60 days of the inspection date.

(3) A county tax non-assessment card takes the place of a county personal property tax receipt the first time an out-of-state car is licensed in Missouri. This card can be obtained by registering at the County Assessor’s Office and then getting the actual card at the County Collector’s Office located in the Buchanan County Courthouse, 5th & Jules.

Information on licensing may be obtained by calling 816-387-2225 during business hours. The St. Joseph office of the Missouri Department of Revenue is located at 5th & Faraon. The hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Dog & Cat Licensing: All dogs and cats over the age of three months must be licensed and vaccinated. A license can be obtained at City Hall, 11th & Frederick, or at selected veterinary clinics.

For additional information concerning pets, please contact the Animal Shelter, 701 Lower Lake Road, 816-271-4876. Note: Please observe St. Joseph’s leash law.
Hunting and Fishing: Hunting and fishing permits are not required for persons under 16 or Missouri residents 65 or older. Permits for fishing and hunting can be obtained at most stores selling sporting goods. For further information, contact the Conservation Department at 816-271-3100.

Missouri Drivers License: Application for a Missouri drivers license must be made within 30 days of becoming a resident, even if you still have a valid license from another state. A written exam and vision test are required of new residents who have a valid out-of-state drivers license. When you apply for a Missouri drivers license, you will be asked to surrender any valid drivers license that has been issued to you by another state so that the license may be returned to the state of issue for cancellation. If your license is suspended or revoked in another state for violations of law, you will not be allowed to apply for a license in Missouri until you provide a clearance from the state where you are suspended or revoked and until you meet the Missouri licensing requirements.
The drivers license testing office is located in the State Office Building at 5th 8` Faraon, 816-387-2225, and the hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Motorcycle Operation: Any person operating a motorcycle on the public streets and highways of Missouri is required to have a motorcycle qualified license. In order to obtain motorcycle qualifications, you must first qualify for a valid driver or chauffeur license and then pass a motorcycle written exam and road test. Helmets are required in Missouri.

Motorcycle road tests are given at9:15 a.m., Monday through Friday at the license office, 5th & Faraon.

Taxes
Personal Property and Real Estate Taxes: All property is assessed as of January 1 of the given year. City taxes are due October 31. County taxes are due November 1 and become delinquent after December 31; interest and penalties are added after December 31.

City taxes are paid to the Finance Director, City Hall, 11th & Frederick, 816-271-4757. County taxes should be paid to the Collector of Revenue, Buchanan County Courthouse, 5th &Jules, 816-271-1401.

Transportation

Air Transportation: Private air transportation out of St. Joseph is served by Rosecrans Memorial Airport. The airport is large and well equipped with an FAA manned tower open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Charter, air ambulance service, flight training, and aircraft services are available. For further information, please call Express Flight, 816-233-3444.

If you need commercial air transportation, the KCI Airport is located just 35 minutes south of St. Joseph on Interstate 29.

Trash Service

Citizens must make their own arrangement for trash and garbage service. There are many trash haulers listed in the telephone book, and city directory. If you wish to haul your own trash, you may do so.. There is a fee for dumping at the City Landfill, located south of the city, 816-253-9764.

Utilities

Electricity: St. Joseph Light & Power Company,
520 Francis, 816-233-8888

Gas: Missouri Gas Energy, 1405 N. Belt Hwy.,
1-800-582-1234

Telephone: Southwestern Bell Residence office (toll free): to order new residence service, call 1-800-246-4999. Business office (toll free): business /commercial customers ordering new service to change existing service, call 1 -800-400-9050.
Water: Missouri-American Water Company, 1003 E. St. Maartens, 816-233-8844.

Voter Registration
Any person who is qualified to vote shall be entitled to register in the jurisdiction within which he or she resides. In order to vote in any election for which registration is required, a person must be registered no later than 5 p.m. or the normal closing time of any public building where the registration is being held if such time is later than 5 p.m., on the third Wednesday prior to the election. You may register at the County Clerk’s Office, Buchanan County Courthouse, 5th & Jules, 816-271 -1412.