Frequently Asked Questions
Administration
- Q: Why haven't I received my 2004 City of Rolla Real Estate Tax statement?
- A: As a convenience to the taxpaying public, the City of Rolla recently contracted with the Phelps County Collector’s office to bill and
collect the City’s real estate property taxes. As a result, Rolla taxpayers will no longer receive a separate real estate tax statement
from the City of Rolla. Most City residents should have received one statement, per parcel, from the Phelps County Collector’s office
containing both the City and County real estate taxes in the last couple weeks. The primary reason for the change is that the taxpayer
will now be able to pay all property taxes at one location or with one check and postage stamp to the Phelps County Collector's Office.
Any inquiries regarding your City of Rolla or Phelps County taxes can be directed to the Phelps County Collector’s Office at 458-6155. - Q: Where do I pay my Rolla Real Estate taxes?
- A: At the Phelps County Courthouse Collector's Office (David Haas.)
Community Development
Many questions are answered in the "Rolla Development Guide" (PDF 1.3mb)
- Q: Where is RMU (Rolla Municipal Utilities)?
- A: It's located between the Public Library and City Hall on 9th Street just East of Pine Street.
- Q: Do I need a permit to put up a fence?
- A: No – but there are requirements to the size and kind of fence. Please call Community Development for more info 426-6972.
- Q: Do I need a permit for one of those blow up type pools?
- A: Yes - if it's deeper that 24 inches.
- Q: Do I need a permit to install a water heater?
- A: Yes - for your family's safety to make sure it's been installed correctly.
Finance
General Questions
- Q: What is the Courthouse number?
- A: 573-458-6000
- Q: What is the License Bureau number?
- A: 573-364-7848
Real Estate Taxes
- Q: Where do I pay my City of Rolla real estate taxes?
- A: At the Phelps County Courthouse, 200 North Main. The tax will be included with your county real estate taxes.
- Q: Where do I pay City of Rolla personal property tax?
- A: The City of Rolla does not charge a personal property tax. The county does have a personal property tax and that tax needs to be paid at the county courthouse.
- Q: How can I find out my current assessment? Who does the assessment?
- A: Phelps County Assessor’s Office, Phelps County Courthouse. The phone number is 458-6135.
Business Licenses
- Q: How do I get a business license?
- A:
- Fill out an application.
- Furnish us with a workers compensation certificate OR
- A signed waiver if you do construction work OR
- A Missouri sales tax certificate if you collect sales tax OR
- A health permit if you serve food.
- Pay the $50.00 license fee.
- Q: How long before I get a license?
- A: Usually within a week depending on any inspections required.
- Q: If I have a garage sale do I need a business license?
- A: If you have more than four sales a year or if the sale is longer than three days you will be required to obtain a license.
- Q: How long does a Business License last?
- A: The license is good from July 1st to June 30th of the next year. (We do not prorate.)
- Q: What if I don't get a renewal notice for my business license?
- A: If a renewal notice is not received by July 1, please call the Finance office at 426-6982.
Sales Tax
- Q: What is the sales tax rate within the City of Rolla?
- A: 7.6% - For a breakdown of tax rates, and more information, see our Tax Information page.
- Q: What is the sales tax rate outside the City of Rolla?
- A: 4.6%
Fire
Municipal Court
- Q: Where do I go to pay a traffic ticket or Court fines?
- A: Payment for any court related fines are taken at the Municipal Court offices, located in the Old Phelps County Courthouse, 305 W. 3rd Street, on the first floor. The Court office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Q: Do I have to appear in court for my ticket?
- A: It depends on the type offense for which the ticket was issued. When the officer gives you the ticket, you should also receive a separate instruction sheet showing how you can take care of your ticket. Some offenses, such as stealing, minor in possession, traffic offenses involving accidents, and other types of cases, require a personal appearance in court. Other offenses, such as certain speeding violations, parking tickets, and some other offenses, do not require a personal appearance if you simply wish to plead guilty and pay the specified amount of the fine and costs. The instruction sheet that accompanies your ticket tells whether or not you must appear in court, and gives the standard amount of the fine and court costs for the offense if it is one that can be disposed of without a court appearance.
If, based on the directions on the the instruction sheet, you are allowed to plead guilty without a personal appearance, then you may dispose of your case by pleading guilty and paying the standard fine and court costs in advance of the court date shown on the ticket. If you decide to plead guilty in this manner, you may do so as follows:
1. Sign the back of the ticket in the space provided, and
2. Mail the signed ticket and a check or money order made payable to Rolla Municipal Court for the full amount of the fine plus court costs. Mail the ticket and payment to: Rolla Municipal Court, P.O. Box 979, Rolla, MO 65402.
If you have any questions that can be answered by the court clerk, please feel free to call the court clerk's office at 573-364-8590, or email the office at court@rollacity.org.
Parks
- Q: Where is the Parks and Recreation Office located?
- A: We are located inside the Centre Lobby at 1200 N Holloway.
- Q: When are the batting cages open?
- A: From 5:00pm to 9:00pm weekdays when the concession stand is open & during tournaments on the weekends.
- Q: Where can I get information about the Lions Club Park?
- A: Lions Club Park is not a city-owned or managed facility. For information about facilities and/or events at Lions Club Park, call 364-4386 or visit them on the web at www.rollalions.org.
- Q: Do I need my own bat or helmet to use the batting cages?
- A: Helmets and bats are available in the center cage of the batting cages.
- Q: What pavilions are available to rent?
- A: We have pavilions that are available to rent at Ber Juan, Buehler, Green Acres and Schuman parks.
- Q: What are the rates for the pavilions?
- A: They are $10 for a half day and $20 for a full day. Half days are 8a.m.-2p.m. or 4 p.m.- 10 p.m. but can be adjusted.
- Q: Is there electric and water I can use at the pavilions?
- A: Yes, there is electric and water faucets available at the pavilions.
- Q: Do you have BBQ grills at the Pavilions?
- A: Yes, there are BBQ grills available at the pavilions.
- Q: When is the cemetery flower pick up?
- A: All funeral designs and artificial flowers are removed from Rolla Cemetery Lots the last full week of February, June, August, and October. If you have artificial pieces that you wish to keep, they need to be removed before these dates. They may be replaced at the end of the week.
Police
- Q: Where can I go to school to get my certification as a police officer?
- A: Law Enforcement Certification in the State of Missouri is handled through the Missouri Department of Public Safety. You can get more information on the DPS Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Program at this website and click on "Licensed Training Centers"
- Q: Where is City Hall?
- A: Here is a Map
- Q: What are the road conditions around Rolla?
- A: Call the MSHP Road Conditions Hotline: 1-800-222-6400.
- Q: When is the city sale/auction (recovered bicycles & retired police vehicles)?
- A: The answer varies...it's usually in the summer or fall. Check the main Police Page for News updates and Public Announcements.
- Q: Where do I pay parking tickets and citations?
- A: Parking tickets can be paid in the Municipal Court office at the Old Phelps County Courthouse, 305 W. 3rd, or in the drop box located outside the Police Department (11th & Elm). Municipal citations can be paid at the Municipal Court office; Associate citations can be paid at the county courthouse (3rd & Main). The word "municipal" or "associate" will be circled at the top of each ticket identifying which kind it is.
- Q: What is the Sheriff Dept. phone number?
- A: 573-426-3860
- Q: Is Ashley Flores really missing?
- A: No. This is an internet hoax. Details here.
- Q: When can I pick up a report that I have filed?
- A: Reports are ready 5 to 7 days after filing and can be picked up at the Police Dept. between 8:00am and 5:00 pm.
Public Works
- Q: Who should I call regarding a problem on Hwy 63, Hwy 72 or Hwy O? (This includes broken signal lights, debris in the roadway or roadway deterioration.)
- A: These Highways fall under the jurisdiction of the Missouri Dept. of Transportation (MoDOT) and you can call them at: (573) 368-2567.
- Q: ?
- A:
Rolla National Airport
The Centre
- Q: When is the Centre open?
- A:
Winter Hours, October 1-April 30th;
M-F open 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Saturday open 8:00 Am-9:00 PM
Sunday open 11:00 AM-7:00 PMSummer Hours, May 1 through September 30th;
M-F open 5:30 AM-9:00 PM
Saturday open 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday open 11:00 AM-5:00 PM - Q: What are the benefits to membership vs. day passes?
- A: The healthy lifestyle you create by including a fitness regimen into your daily activities. It is cheaper to purchase a membership and enjoy the benefits such as access to the pool, indoor track, fitness classes, weight facilities and cardio equipment than it would be to purchase several day passes a month.
- Q: What do personal trainers do?
- A: While there are additional fees associated with have a personal trainer, trainers are a valuable tool whether you are a novice at working out, or a seasoned professional. They can help you set personal goals, develop workouts, focus on a healthier lifestyle, track your measurements and body fat for you, and give you excellent moral support.
- Q: Do I need to be a member to work out or join a class?
- A: You do not have to be a Centre member to work out or join a class. You may purchase a daily pass or value pass at the front desk. Many of our Fitness classes have fees associated with them, and while members do get a discount, you may sign up for these classes without being a member. Classes provided free of charge to our members may be attended by purchasing a daily pass.
Solid Waste/Recycling
- Q: When are you planning to have another city wide free clean up?
- A: Typically, the spring and fall cleanups are scheduled for the first Saturday in April and the first Saturday in October.
- Q: Is there an extra charge to have a blue recycling tub?
- A: No. Recycling collection is included as part of residential weekly service, as is yard waste collection.
- Q: Why did you empty my trash cart but leave the trash bags that were sitting next to it?
- A: You pay for a once a week collection of a 90-gallon (or 35-gallon) trash cart. All trash should be in that cart for collection. If you have more trash than will fit in the cart, you can purchase bags at the Finance Department or Recycling Center. The bags are $1 each and are stamped City Sanitation. These bags can be placed on the ground next to your trash cart for collection.
- Q: Where can we take extra trash or bigger items such as furniture?
- A: The Phelps County Transfer Station (364-8771).
- Q: How do I dispose of yard waste?
- A: Biodegradable brown paper bags can be purchased at several stores in Rolla. These bags should be out to the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your normal trash collection day. There is also a free drop off site at the Phelps County Transfer Station for large yard waste items. Nothing larger than about six inches in diameter is accepted.
- Q: How do I dispose of paint?
- A: It can be disposed of in your trash cart if it is no longer in liquid form (it needs to be dried out). The can must have the lid left off in order to be picked up. Kitty litter or shredded paper mixed with the paint will help it dry out more quickly. It can also be taken the next Household Hazardous Waste Collection.
- Q: How do I dispose of: Anti-freeze
- A: Antifreeze can be taken to the City's Vehicle Maintenance shop Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The Vehicle Maintenance shop is located at 18th and Old St. James Rd.
- Q: How do I dispose of: Waste Oil
- A: A few private businesses will accept oil from "do-it-yourselfers". Call your favorite auto shop or contact the Solid Waste Department for more information.
- Q: How do I dispose of: Chemicals, Pesticides, solvents, poisons, cleaners, etc...
- A: Check the product label for proper disposal instructions. These toxic products should, when possible, not be thrown in the trash but taken to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event. These collections are held periodically. Contact the Solid Waste Department for more information.
