EXECUTIVE ORDER
97-15

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the State of Missouri, as an employer, to recruit, retain, and facilitate the retirement of qualified individuals in the field of public safety to provide protection and peace of mind to the citizens of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri, in recognizing the need for a high quality public safety workforce, also recognizes the necessity of responsible benefit plan design, to attract and retain the workforce expected by the public and to facilitate an earlier retirement for individuals in the field of public safety; and

WHEREAS, the Missouri State Employees' Retirement System and the Highway and Transportation Employees' and Highway Patrol Retirement System currently administer separate retirement programs for Water Patrol and Highway Patrol officers, respectively; and

WHEREAS, the Governor has established the Ad Hoc Task Force on Total Compensation for the purpose of evaluating and recommending courses of action related to total compensation, including retirement and other benefits, to ensure that a comprehensive approach is utilized in assessing the appropriateness of salary and benefit levels for state employees; and

WHEREAS, the Governor's Ad Hoc Task Force on Total Compensation has adopted a benefits policy statement which advocates a total compensation program that (a) provides the highest quality service to the citizens of the State while also providing financial security to employees in an equitable and cost effective manner and (b) eliminates ineffective duplication of benefit plans; and

WHEREAS, the Ad Hoc Task Force on Total Compensation is interested in receiving input from qualified professionals who have expertise in the areas of retirement and public safety to provide a recommendation on the structure of and benefits to be provided by a retirement program for Public Safety employees, including a recommended definition of "public safety employees" eligible for participation in a public safety retirement plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mel Carnahan, Governor of the State of Missouri, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby establish a Public Safety Retirement Advisory Commission whose task will be to analyze, determine and recommend a retirement plan structure that is consistent with the objectives set forth above. The Commission shall be composed of the following:

  • one member of the Ad Hoc Task Force on Total Compensation who shall be appointed by the chairman of the Task Force; and
  • one member of the Board of Trustees of the Missouri State Employees' Retirement System or their designee; and
  • one member of the Board of Trustees of the Highway and Transportation Employees' and Highway Patrol Retirement System or their designee; and
  • one member from the Missouri State Senate appointed by the President Pro Tem; and
  • one member from the Missouri House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House; and
  • the Directors of the Department of Public Safety, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Conservation, Department of Corrections, the Department of Higher Education and the Court Administrators; and
  • the Commissioner of Administration or an appointed designee

The Public Safety Retirement Advisory Commission will coordinate and meet with representatives of state departments, boards and commissions and the General Assembly on issues that overlap in their respective areas of responsibility.

The Public Safety Retirement Advisory Commission shall commence operations on November 1, 1997, and shall terminate operations by October 30, 1998. The Public Safety Retirement Advisory Commission shall, prior to the termination of operations, furnish a final report to the Ad Hoc Task Force on Total Compensation which provides clear policy recommendations on the structure of and benefits to be provided by a retirement program for Public Safety employees, based on the Public Safety Retirement Advisory Commission's proposed definition of "public safety employees." A copy of the final report shall be submitted to the Governor by the Ad Hoc Task Force on Total Compensation, prior to the termination of the Public Safety Retirement Advisory Commission, and shall include a separate addendum containing the Ad Hoc Task Force's recommended course of action.

The Public Safety Retirement Advisory Commission shall, upon request, receive assistance and cooperation from the various departments of state government which have a stake in the outcome of the Advisory Commission's activity.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 14th day of November, 1997.

[Mel Carnahan's signature]
GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

[Rebecca McDowell Cook's signature]
SECRETARY OF STATE

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