Mo. Rev. Stat. ch. 78

Mo. Rev. Stat. ch. 78
in effect

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.010 Definitions.

78.010. Definitions. — In the construction of sections 78.010 to 78.420 the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent or repugnant to the context of the statute: (1) The words "councilman" or "alderman" shall be construed to mean councilman when applied to cities under said sections. (2) When an "office" or "officer" is named in any law referred to in said sections, it shall, when applied to cities under said sections, be construed to mean the office or officer having the same functions or duties under the provisions of said sections, or under ordinances passed under authority thereof. (3) The word "franchise" shall include every special privilege in the streets, highways and public places in the city, whether granted by the state or the city, which does not belong to the citizens generally by common right. (4) The "voters" shall be construed to mean persons qualified to vote for elective offices at municipal elections. (RSMo 1939 § 7073, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6923; 1919 § 8390

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.020 Organization.

78.020. Organization. — That any city of the third class, including any such city acting under special charter or any city now having or which may hereafter have a population entitling them to become cities of the third class, may become organized as a city under the provisions of sections 78.010 to 78.420 by proceeding as herein provided, unless authority for the adoption of the plan of city government authorized by said sections be contained in the order incorporating such city, in which event an election shall not be necessary. (RSMo 1939 § 7056) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6906; 1919 § 8373

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.030 Election - petition for - how held - officers elected, when.

78.030. Election — petition for — how held — officers elected, when. — Upon petition of voters equal in number to twenty-five percent of the votes cast for all candidates for mayor at the last preceding city election of any such city, the mayor shall, by proclamation, submit the question of organizing as a city under sections 78.010 to 78.420 at an election. If said plan is not adopted at the last election, the question of adopting said plan shall not be resubmitted to the voters of said city for adoption within two years thereafter, and then the question to adopt shall be resubmitted upon the presentation of a petition signed by voters as herein provided, equal in number to twenty-five percent of all votes cast for all candidates for mayor at the last preceding election. At such election the proposition to be submitted shall be: Shall the proposition to organize the city of (name of city) under sections 78.010 to 78.420 be adopted? If the majority of the votes cast shall be in favor thereof, cities shall proceed to the election of mayor and councilmen. Immediately after such proposition is adopted, the mayor shall transmit to the governor, the secretary of state and to the county clerk each a certificate stating that such proposition was adopted. At the next municipal election after the adoption of such proposition there shall be elected a mayor and councilmen. In the event, however, that the next municipal election does not occur within six months after such election, the mayor shall, within ten days after such election, by proclamation, call a special election for the election of a mayor and councilmen, sixty days' notice thereof being given in such call. (RSMo 1939 § 7057, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6907; 1919 § 8374

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.040 Officers - quorum - mayor to have no veto.

78.040. Officers — quorum — mayor to have no veto. — Every city having a population of eight thousand and less than thirty thousand shall be governed by a council consisting of the mayor and four councilmen, and every city having a population of three thousand and less than eight thousand shall be governed by a council consisting of the mayor and two councilmen, chosen as provided in sections 78.010 to 78.420 , each of whom shall have the right to vote on all questions coming before the council. In cities having four councilmen, three members of the council shall constitute a quorum, and in cities having two councilmen two members of the council shall constitute a quorum, and in cities having four councilmen the affirmative vote of three members, and in cities having two councilmen the affirmative vote of two members of the council shall be necessary to adopt any motion, resolution or ordinance, or pass any measure unless a greater number is provided for in said sections. Upon every vote the yeas and nays shall be called and recorded, and every motion, resolution or ordinance shall be reduced to writing and read before the vote is taken thereon. The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the council; he shall have no power to veto any measure, but every resolution or ordinance passed by the council must be signed by the mayor, or by two councilmen, and be recorded, before the same shall be in force. (RSMo 1939 § 7061, A.L. 1980 H.B. 1819, A.L. 1983 H.B. 696, A.L. 1991 H.B. 532) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6911; 1919 § 8378

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.050 Salaries, how computed.

78.050. Salaries, how computed. — The mayor and councilmen shall have an office at the city hall or at some other convenient and suitable place. The mayor's and each councilman's annual salary shall be fixed by ordinance. Such salary shall be payable in equal monthly or semimonthly installments as provided by ordinance. Every other officer or assistant shall receive such salary or compensation as the council shall provide by ordinance or resolution, payable in equal monthly or semimonthly installments. The salary or compensation of all other employees of the city shall be fixed by the council and shall be payable monthly or at such shorter periods as the council shall determine. (RSMo 1939 § 7064, A.L. 1955 p. 301) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6914; 1919 § 8381

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.060 Powers of council - departments.

78.060. Powers of council — departments. — 1. The council shall have and possess, and the council and its members shall exercise all executive, legislative and judicial powers and duties now had, possessed and exercised by the mayor, city council, city attorney, assessor, treasurer, collector, city engineer and other executive and administrative officers in cities of the third class and in cities under special charter with a population less than thirty thousand, and shall also possess and exercise all executive, legislative and judicial powers and duties now had and exercised by the board of police and fire commissioners, the board of public works, park commissioners, the board of waterworks trustees in all cities wherein such boards now exist or may be hereafter created. The executive and administrative powers, authority and duties in such cities shall be distributed into and among five departments as follows: (1) Department of public affairs; (2) Department of accounts and finance; (3) Department of public safety; (4) Department of streets and public improvements; (5) Department of parks and public property. 2. The council shall determine the powers and duties to be performed by and assign them to the appropriate department; shall prescribe the powers and duties of officers and employees; may assign particular officers and employees to one or more of the departments; may require an officer or employee to perform duties in two or more departments; and may make such other rules and regulations as may be necessary or proper for the efficient and economical conduct of the business of the city. (RSMo 1939 § 7062, A.L. 1955 p. 303) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6912; 1919 § 8379

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.070 Mayor and councilmen to superintend departments - council to elect city ...

78.070. Mayor and councilmen to superintend departments — council to elect city officers. — The mayor shall be superintendent of the department of public affairs and the council shall at the first regular meeting after election of its members designate by a majority vote one councilman to be superintendent of the department of accounts and finances; one to be superintendent of the department of public safety, and one to be superintendent of the department of street and public improvements and one to be superintendent of the department of parks and public property; provided, however, that in cities having a population of less than ten thousand there may be designated to each councilman two of such departments. Such designation shall be changed whenever it appears that the public service would be benefitted thereby. The council shall at such first meeting, or as soon as practicable thereafter, elect by majority vote the following officers: A city clerk, attorney, assessor, treasurer, auditor, civil engineer, city physician, marshal, chief of fire department, market master, street commissioner, and such other officers and assistants as shall be provided for by ordinance and necessary to the proper and efficient conduct of the affairs of the city; provided, however, that only such of the above officers shall be appointed as may in the judgment of the mayor and councilmen be necessary for the proper and efficient transaction of the affairs of the city. Any officer or assistant elected or appointed by the council may be removed from office at any time by a vote of a majority of the members of the council, except as otherwise provided in sections 78.010 to 78.420 . (RSMo 1939 § 7063, A.L. 1955 p. 303, A.L. 1959 H.B. 417, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634, A.L. 1980 H.B. 1819, A.L. 1983 H.B. 696) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6913; 1919 § 8380

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.080 Election of mayor and councilmen.

78.080. Election of mayor and councilmen. — In every city having a population of over three thousand and under eight thousand there shall be elected at the first municipal election held after the taking effect of this section, and every four years thereafter, a mayor and two councilmen, except in any city with a population of at least five thousand within a third class county which adjoins three other third class counties and one second class county and the state of Arkansas, wherein the law applicable before August 28, 1991, shall continue to apply; and in cities having a population of over eight thousand and less than thirty thousand, a mayor and four councilmen. For cities with a population of at least eight thousand and under thirty thousand, the council shall be elected for the following terms: The mayor shall be elected for a four-year term. The councilmen shall be elected for four-year terms except that at the first election the candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall serve a four-year term, the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes shall serve a three-year term, the candidate receiving the third highest number of votes shall serve a two-year term and the candidate receiving the fourth highest number of votes shall serve a one-year term. If any vacancy occurs in such office, the remaining members of the council shall appoint a person to fill such vacancy during the balance of the unexpired term. Such officers shall qualify and their terms shall begin on the first Monday after their appointment. The terms of office of the mayor and councilmen or aldermen in such city in office at the beginning of the terms of office of the mayor and councilmen first elected under the provisions of this section shall then cease and the terms of office of all other city officers, whether elective or appointive, in force in each such city, except as otherwise provided, shall cease as soon as the council shall by resolution declare. (RSMo 1939 § 7059, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1980 H.B. 1819, A.L. 1983 H.B. 696, A.L. 1991 H.B. 532) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6909; 1919 § 8376

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.090 Election, primary - held when - elimination of primary, when.

78.090. Election, primary — held when — elimination of primary, when. — 1. Candidates to be voted for at all general municipal elections at which a mayor and councilmen are to be elected under the provisions of sections 78.010 to 78.400 shall be nominated by a primary election, except as provided in this section, and no other names shall be placed upon the general ballot except those selected in the manner herein prescribed. The primary election for such nomination shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February preceding the municipal election. 2. (1) In lieu of conducting a primary election under this section, any city organized under sections 78.010 to 78.400 may, by order or ordinance, provide for the elimination of the primary election and the conduct of elections for mayor and councilman as provided in this subsection. (2) Any person desiring to become a candidate for mayor or councilman shall file with the city clerk a signed statement of such candidacy, stating whether such person is a resident of the city and a qualified voter of the city, that the person desires to be a candidate for nomination to the office of mayor or councilman to be voted upon at the next municipal election for such office, that the person is eligible for such office, that the person requests to be placed on the ballot, and that such person will serve if elected. Such statement shall be sworn to or affirmed before the city clerk. (3) Under the requirements of section 115.023 , the city clerk shall notify the requisite election authority who shall cause the official ballots to be printed, and the names of the candidates shall appear on the ballots in the order that their statements of candidacy were filed with the city clerk. Above the names of the candidates shall appear the words "Vote for (number to be elected)". The ballot shall also include a warning that voting for more than the total number of candidates to be elected to any office invalidates the ballot. (RSMo 1939 § 7060, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 2013 H.B. 163 merged with S.B. 99) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6910; 1919 § 8377

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.100 Candidate to file statement.

78.100. Candidate to file statement. — Any person desiring to become a candidate for mayor or councilman shall file with the city clerk a statement of such candidacy in substantially the following form: (RSMo 1939 § 7060, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1998 H.B. 1807) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6910; 1919 § 8377

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.120 Form of ballot.

78.120. Form of ballot. — Upon the said ballot the names of the candidates for mayor, arranged in the order of filing shall first be placed, with a square at the left of each name, and immediately below, the words, "vote for one". Following these names, likewise arranged in the order of filing, shall appear the names of the candidates for councilmen, with a square at the left of each name, and below the names of such candidates shall appear the words, "vote for four", or "vote for three", or "vote for two", as the case may be. The ballot shall be in substantially the following form: (RSMo 1939 § 7060, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6910; 1919 § 8377

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.140 Who shall be candidates.

78.140. Who shall be candidates. — The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes for mayor shall be the candidates, and the only candidates whose names shall be placed upon the ballot for mayor at the next succeeding general municipal election, and in cities having a population of eight thousand and less than thirty thousand the eight candidates having the highest number of votes for councilmen, or all such candidates if less than eight, and in cities having a population of three thousand and less than eight thousand the four candidates receiving the highest number of votes for councilmen, or all such candidates if less than four, shall be the candidates and the only candidates whose names shall be placed upon the ballot for councilman at such municipal election. (RSMo 1939 § 7060, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1983 H.B. 696, A.L. 1991 H.B. 532, A.L. 1994 S.B. 517) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6910; 1919 § 8377

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.160 Council meetings.

78.160. Council meetings. — Regular meetings of the council shall be held on the first Monday after the election of councilmen, and thereafter at least once each month. The council shall provide by ordinance for the times of holding regular meetings, and special meetings may be called from time to time by the mayor or two councilmen. All meetings of the council, whether regular or special, at which any person not a city officer is admitted, shall be open to the public. The mayor shall be president of the council and preside at its meetings, and shall supervise all departments and report to the council for its action all matters requiring attention in either. The superintendent of the department of accounts and finances shall be vice president of the council, and in case of vacancy in the office of mayor, or the absence or inability of the mayor, shall perform the duties of mayor. (RSMo 1939 § 7066) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6916; 1919 § 8383

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.170 Appropriations - power of council.

78.170. Appropriations — power of council. — If at the beginning of the term of office of the first council elected in such city under the provisions of sections 78.010 to 78.420 the appropriations for the expenditures of the city government for the current fiscal year have been made, said council shall have power by ordinance to revise, to repeal or change said appropriations, and to make additional appropriations. (RSMo 1939 § 7072) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6922; 1919 § 8389

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.180 Itemized statement of receipts and expenses - accounts to be examined, how.

78.180. Itemized statement of receipts and expenses — accounts to be examined, how. — The council shall each month in cities having a population of ten thousand and less than thirty thousand, and every three months in cities having a population of three thousand and less than ten thousand, print in pamphlet form a detailed itemized statement of all receipts and expenses of the city and a summary of its proceedings during the preceding month or preceding three months, according to the population of such city, and furnish printed copies thereof to the city library, the daily and weekly newspapers of the city and to persons who shall apply therefor at the office of the city clerk. At the end of each year the council shall cause a full and complete examination of all the books and accounts of the city to be made by competent accountants and shall publish the result of such examination in the manner above provided for publication of statements of monthly or quarterly expenditures. (RSMo 1939 § 7071, A.L. 1983 H.B. 696) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6921; 1919 § 8388

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.190 Ordinances to be on file with city clerk for inspection - franchises - ...

78.190. Ordinances to be on file with city clerk for inspection — franchises — extensions or renewal, to be voted on. — Every ordinance or resolution appropriating money or ordering any street improvement or sewer, or making or authorizing the making of any contract or granting any franchise or right to occupy or use the streets, highways, bridges or public places in the city for any purpose shall be complete in the form in which it is finally passed and shall remain on file with the city clerk for public inspection at least one week before the final passage or adoption thereof. No franchise or right to occupy or use the streets, highways, bridges, or public places in any city shall be granted, renewed or extended except by ordinances, and every initial franchise or grant for interurban or street railways, gas, or waterworks, electric light or power plants, telegraph or telephone systems or other public service utilities within said city, must be authorized or approved by a majority of the voters voting thereon. Any extension or renewal shall be subject to voter approval of the majority of the voters voting on the question, pursuant to the provisions of section 88.251 . (RSMo 1939 § 7067, A.L. 1953 p. 268, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1987 S.B. 412) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6917; 1919 § 8384

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.200 Ordinance by initiative - procedure.

78.200. Ordinance by initiative — procedure. — Any proposed ordinance may be submitted to the council by petition signed by voters of the city equal in number to the percentage hereafter required. The signatures, verification, authentication, inspection, certification, amendment and submission of such petition shall be the same as provided for petitions under sections 78.260 to 78.290 . If the petition accompanying the proposed ordinance be signed by voters equal in number to twenty-five percent of the votes cast for all candidates for mayor at the last preceding election, and contains a request that the said ordinance be submitted to a vote of the people if not passed by the council, such council shall either: (1) Pass said ordinance without alteration within twenty days after attachment of the clerk's certificate to the accompanying petition; or (2) Forthwith after the clerk shall attach to the petition accompanying such ordinance his certificate of sufficiency, the council shall submit the question without alteration to the vote of the voters. But if the petition is signed by not less than ten and less than twenty-five percent of the voters, as above defined, then the council shall within twenty days pass said ordinance without change, or submit the same at the next municipal election. (RSMo 1939 § 7075, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6925; 1919 § 8392

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.220 Proposed ordinance - effective, when - referendum.

78.220. Proposed ordinance — effective, when — referendum. — No ordinance passed by the council, except when otherwise required by the general laws of the state, or by the provisions of sections 78.010 to 78.420 , except an ordinance for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety, which contains a statement of its urgency and is passed by a two-thirds vote of the council shall go into effect before ten days from the time of its final passage; and if during said ten days a petition signed by the voters of the city equal in number to at least twenty-five percent of the entire vote cast for all candidates for mayor at the last preceding municipal election at which a mayor was elected, protesting against the passage of such ordinance be presented to the council, the same shall thereupon be suspended from going into operation; and it shall be the duty of the council to reconsider such ordinance, and if the same is not entirely repealed, the council shall submit the ordinance as is provided by subdivision (2) of section 78.200 , to the vote of the voters. Such ordinance shall not go into effect or become operative unless a majority of the voters voting on the same shall vote in favor thereof. Said petition shall be in all respects in accordance with the provisions of said sections 78.260 to 78.290 except as to the percentage of signers, and be examined and certified to by the clerk in all respects as therein provided. (RSMo 1939 § 7076, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6926; 1919 § 8393 (1969) A comprehensive zoning ordinance is subject to referendum; section 89.010 is not a preemption by the state in the field of zoning and does not operate as an exclusion of this section. State ex rel. Wahlmann v. Reim (Mo. en banc), 445 S.W.2d 336.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.230 Organization may be abandoned - charter may be resumed - procedure.

78.230. Organization may be abandoned — charter may be resumed — procedure. — Any city which shall have operated for more than six years under the provisions of sections 78.010 to 78.420 may abandon such organization hereunder, and accept the provisions of the general law of the state then applicable to the cities of its population, or if now organized under special charter, may resume said special charter by proceeding as follows: Upon the petition of not less than ten percent of the voters casting votes for governor in the last preceding general election of such city the following question shall be submitted: Shall the city of (name of city) abandon its organization under sections 78.010 to 78.420 , and become a city under the general law governing cities of like population, or if now organized under special charter shall resume said special charter? If a majority of votes cast on the question be in favor of such question, the officers elected at the next election shall be those then prescribed by the general law of the state for cities of like population, and upon the qualification of such officers such city shall become a city under such general law of the state; but such change shall not in any manner or degree affect the property, right or liabilities of any nature of such city, but shall merely extend to such change in its form of government. The sufficiency of such petition shall be determined, the election ordered and conducted, and the results declared generally as provided by sections 78.260 to 78.290 , insofar as the provisions thereof are applicable. (RSMo 1939 § 7077, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, S.B. 594) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6927; 1919 § 8394

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.240 Contents of petition.

78.240. Contents of petition. — Petitions provided for in sections 78.010 to 78.420 shall be signed by none but voters of the city. Each petition shall contain, in addition to the names of the petitioners, the street and house number in which the petitioner resides, his age and length of residence in the city. It shall be accompanied by an affidavit of one or more voters of the city stating that the signers thereof were at the time of signing voters of said city and the number of signers at the time the affidavit was made. (RSMo 1939 § 7078, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6928; 1919 § 8395

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.250 Council may create and discontinue offices - may change compensation.

78.250. Council may create and discontinue offices — may change compensation. — The council shall have power from time to time to create, fill and discontinue offices and employments other than herein prescribed according to their judgment of the needs of the city; and may by majority vote of all the members remove any such officer or employee, except as otherwise provided for in sections 78.010 to 78.420 ; and may by resolution or otherwise prescribe, limit or change the compensation of such officers or employees. (RSMo 1939 § 7065) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6915; 1919 § 8382

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.260 Officer may be removed - procedure.

78.260. Officer may be removed — procedure. — The holder of any elective office may be removed at any time by the voters qualified to vote for a successor of such incumbent. The procedure to effect the removal of an incumbent of an elective office shall be as follows: a petition signed by voters entitled to vote for a successor to the incumbent sought to be removed, equal in number to at least twenty-five percent of the total number of registered voters in such city entitled to vote for a successor to the incumbent sought to be removed, demanding an election of a successor of the person sought to be removed shall be filed with the city clerk which petition shall contain a general statement of the grounds for which the removal is sought. The signatures to the petition need not all be appended to one paper, but each signer shall add to his or her signature his or her place of residence, giving the street and number. One of the signers of each such paper shall make oath before an officer competent to administer oaths that the statements therein made are true as he or she believes and that each signature to the paper appended is the genuine signature of the person whose name it purports to be. (RSMo 1939 § 7074, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1998 H.B. 1807) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6924; 1919 § 8391

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.270 Clerk to ascertain sufficiency of petition - council to order election.

78.270. Clerk to ascertain sufficiency of petition — council to order election. — Within ten days from the date of filing such petition the city clerk shall examine and from the voters' register ascertain whether or not said petition is signed by the requisite number of voters, and if necessary, the council shall allow him extra help for the purpose; and he shall attach to said petition his certificate, showing the result of said examination. If by the clerk's certificate the petition is shown to be insufficient, it may be amended within ten days from the date of said certificate. The clerk shall, within ten days after such amendment, make like examination of the amended petition, and if his certificate shall show the same to be insufficient, it shall be returned to the person filing the same, without prejudice, however, to the filing of a new petition to the same effect. If the petition shall be deemed to be sufficient, the clerk shall submit the same to the council without delay. If the petition shall be found to be sufficient, the council shall order the question to be submitted to the voters of the city. (RSMo 1939 § 7074, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6924; 1919 § 8391

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.280 Election - form of ballot.

78.280. Election — form of ballot. — 1. Nominations hereunder shall be made without the intervention of a primary election by filing with the clerk a statement of candidacy accompanied by a petition signed by voters of the city, equal in number to at least ten percent of the entire vote for all candidates for the office of mayor at the last preceding municipal election. 2. The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form: (RSMo 1939 § 7074, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6924; 1919 § 8391

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.290 Incumbent may be candidate.

78.290. Incumbent may be candidate. — The successor of any officer so removed shall hold office during the unexpired term of his predecessor. Any person sought to be removed may be a candidate to succeed himself, and unless he requests otherwise in writing, the clerk shall place his name on the official ballot without nomination. In any such removal election the candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected. At such election if some other person than the incumbent receives the highest number of votes, the incumbent shall thereupon be deemed removed from the office upon qualification of his successor. In case the party who receives the highest number of votes should fail to qualify within ten days after receiving notification of election, the office shall be deemed vacant. If the incumbent receives the highest number of votes he shall continue in office. The same method of removal shall be cumulative and additional to the methods heretofore provided by law. (RSMo 1939 § 7074) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6924; 1919 § 8391

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.300 Qualifications of officers and employees - unlawful promises - statement of ...

78.300. Qualifications of officers and employees — unlawful promises — statement of campaign expenses. — All officers and employees in any such city shall be elected or appointed with reference to their qualifications and fitness and for the good of the public service, and without reference to their political faith or party affiliations. It shall be unlawful for any candidate for office or any officer in any such city directly or indirectly to give or promise any person or persons any office, position, employment, benefit, or any thing of value, for the purpose of influencing or obtaining the political support, aid or vote of any person or persons. Every elective officer in any such city shall, within thirty days after qualifying, file with the city clerk, and publish at least once in a daily newspaper of general circulation his sworn statement of all his election and campaign expenses, and by whom such funds were contributed. Any violations of the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor and be ground for removal from office. (RSMo 1939 § 7070) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6920; 1919 § 8387

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.310 Civil service commissioners - appointment.

78.310. Civil service commissioners — appointment. — In cities having a population of twenty thousand and less than thirty thousand the council shall, and in cities having a population of ten thousand and less than twenty thousand the council may immediately after organizing, by ordinance appoint two civil service commissioners, who shall hold office, one until the first Tuesday in April of the second year after his appointment, and one until the first Tuesday in April of the fourth year after his appointment; provided, however, that in all cases in which no civil commissioners are appointed by the council the council shall have the same powers and duties devolving upon such commissioners as provided for in sections 78.010 to 78.420 . (RSMo 1939 § 7069) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6919; 1919 § 8386

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.320 Tenure - qualifications.

78.320. Tenure — qualifications. — In cities wherein civil service commissioners have been appointed under the provisions of sections 78.010 to 78.420 , each succeeding council shall as soon as practicable after organizing appoint one commissioner for four years who shall take the place of the commissioner whose term of office expires. The chairman of the commission for each biennial period shall be the member whose term first expires. No person while on the said commission shall hold or be a candidate for any office of public trust. Two members shall constitute a quorum to transact business. The commissioners must be citizens of Missouri and residents of the city for more than three years next preceding their appointment. (RSMo 1939 § 7069) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6919; 1919 § 8386

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.330 Removal - council to supply necessary equipment.

78.330. Removal — council to supply necessary equipment. — The council may remove any of said commissioners during their term of office for cause and shall fill any vacancy that may occur in said commission for the unexpired term. The city council shall provide suitable rooms in which the said civil service commission may hold its meetings. They shall have a clerk who shall keep a record of all its meetings, such city to supply the said commission with all the necessary equipment to properly attend to such business. (RSMo 1939 § 7069) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6919; 1919 § 8386

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.340 Oath.

78.340. Oath. — 1. Before entering upon the duties of their office each of said commissioners shall take and subscribe an oath, which shall be filed and kept in the office of the city clerk, to support the Constitution of the state of Missouri and to obey the laws and aim to secure and maintain an honest and efficient force free from partisan distinction or control, and to perform the duties of his office to the best of his ability. 2. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the commissioners to remove or discharge any chief, as that term is defined in section 106.273 . (RSMo 1939 § 7069, A.L. 2013 H.B. 307) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6919; 1919 § 8386

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.350 Examination of applicants.

78.350. Examination of applicants. — Said commission shall, on the first Tuesdays in April and October of each year, or oftener if it shall be deemed necessary, under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the council, hold examinations for the purpose of determining the qualifications of applicants for positions, which examination shall be practical and shall fairly test the fitness of persons examined to discharge the duties of the position to which they seek to be appointed. Said commission shall as soon as possible after such examination certify to the council double the number of persons necessary to fill vacancies, who according to its records have the highest standing for the positions they seek to fill, and all vacancies which occur that come under the civil service prior to the date of the next regular examination shall be filled from said list so certified; provided, however, that should the list become exhausted, then the council or the head of the proper department may temporarily fill a vacancy, but not to exceed thirty days. (RSMo 1939 § 7069) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6919; 1919 § 8386

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.360 Removal from office.

78.360. Removal from office. — All persons under civil service shall be subject to removal from office or employment by the council for misconduct or failure to perform their duties under such rules and regulations as it may adopt, and the chief of police, chief of the fire department or any superintendent or foreman in charge of municipal work may peremptorily suspend or discharge any subordinate then under his direction for neglect of duty or disobedience of his orders, but shall within twenty-four hours thereafter report such suspension or discharge and reason therefor to the superintendent of his department, who shall thereupon affirm or revoke such discharge or suspension according to the facts. Such employee or the officer discharging or suspending him may within five days of such ruling appeal therefrom to the council, which shall fully hear and determine the matter. (RSMo 1939 § 7069, A.L. 1953 p. 268) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6919; 1919 § 8386

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.370 General powers and duties.

78.370. General powers and duties. — The council shall have the power to enforce the attendance of witnesses, the production of books and papers and power to administer oaths in the same manner and with like effect and under the same penalties as in the case of associate circuit judges exercising criminal or civil jurisdiction under the statutes of Missouri. Said commissioners shall make annual report to the council and it may require a special report from said commission at any time; and said council may prescribe such rules and regulations for the proper conduct of the business of the said commission as shall be found expedient and advisable, including restrictions on appointments, promotions, removals for cause, roster of employees, certification of records to the auditor, and restrictions on payment to persons improperly employed. (RSMo 1939 § 7069, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6919; 1919 § 8386 Effective 1-02-79

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.380 Provisions to apply to whom.

78.380. Provisions to apply to whom. — The provisions of sections 78.310 to 78.390 shall apply to all appointive officers and employees of such city except those specially named in section 78.070 , commissioners of any kind (laborers whose occupation requires no special skill or fitness), election officials and mayor's secretary, and assistant attorney, where such officers are appointed; provided, however, that existing employees heretofore appointed or employed and who are performing their duties in a satisfactory manner may retain their positions without further examination, subject, however, to the approval of the council. (RSMo 1939 § 7069) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6919; 1919 § 8386

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.390 Penalties.

78.390. Penalties. — The council of such city shall have the power to pass ordinances imposing suitable penalties for the punishment of persons violating any of the provisions of sections 78.010 to 78.420 relating to the civil service commission. (RSMo 1939 § 7069) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6919; 1919 § 8386

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.400 Laws applicable - territorial limits not to change.

78.400. Laws applicable — territorial limits not to change. — All laws governing cities of the third class and not inconsistent with the provisions of sections 78.010 to 78.420 shall apply to and govern cities organized under said sections. All bylaws, ordinances and resolutions lawfully passed and in force in any such city under its former organization shall remain in force until altered or repealed by the council elected under the provisions of said sections. The territorial limits of such city shall remain the same as under its former organization and all rights and property of every description which were vested in any city under its former organization shall vest in the same under the organization herein contemplated, and no right or liability either in favor of or against it existing at the time and no suit or prosecution of any kind shall be affected by such change, unless otherwise provided for in sections 78.010 to 78.420 . (RSMo 1939 § 7058) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6908; 1919 § 8375

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.430 Third class city may adopt city manager form of government - procedure.

78.430. Third class city may adopt city manager form of government — procedure. — 1. Any city of the third class, or any city with a population entitling it to become a city of the third class, may become organized under the provisions of sections 78.430 to 78.640 by proceeding in the following manner: Upon petition of voters residing in the city equal in number to twenty-five percent of the votes cast for all candidates for mayor in the last preceding election, the mayor shall by proclamation submit the question of organizing under sections 78.430 to 78.640 . 2. The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form: Shall the city of ______ organize under sections 78.430 to 78.640 , RSMo, providing for the city manager form of government? 3. The election thereon shall be conducted, votes canvassed, and results declared in the same manner as provided for by law in respect to other city elections of cities of the third class. If a majority of votes cast on the question is in favor of adopting the optional form of government provided for herein, the city clerk shall transmit to the secretary of state and to the county clerk of the county in which the city is located, duplicate copies of a certificate stating that the question was adopted. The city shall then proceed to organize under sections 78.430 to 78.640 , by nomination of candidates and election of councilmen as herein provided. The elections shall be held at the next municipal election following the date of adoption of sections 78.430 to 78.640 . If the plan is not adopted, the question of adopting the plan shall not be resubmitted to the voters of the city for adoption for at least one year thereafter, and then the question of adoption may be resubmitted upon a like petition, proclamation and notice as provided above. (RSMo 1939 § 7080, A.L. 1957 p. 240, A.L. 1961 p. 198, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971) Prior revision: 1929 § 6930

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.440 Laws shall apply, when - limits of city to remain same.

78.440. Laws shall apply, when — limits of city to remain same. — All laws governing any city under its former organization and not inconsistent with the provisions of sections 78.430 to 78.640 shall apply to and govern such city after it adopts the form of government herein provided, or all bylaws, ordinances and resolutions lawfully passed and in force in any such city under its former organization shall remain in force until altered or repealed by the council elected under the provisions of said sections. The territorial limits of such city shall remain the same as under its former organization, and all rights and property of every description which were vested in any city under its former organization shall vest in the same, under the organization herein contemplated, and no right or liability either in favor of or against it existing at the time, and no suit or prosecution of any kind shall be affected by such change unless otherwise provided for herein. The operation of any of said sections governing cities of the third class, which may be inconsistent with the provisions of said sections, shall be suspended in those cities adopting the said sections. (RSMo 1939 § 7094) Prior revision: 1929 § 6944

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.450 City may abandon plan - procedure - election - form of ballot.

78.450. City may abandon plan — procedure — election — form of ballot. — 1. Any city which has operated pursuant to the provisions of sections 78.430 to 78.630 may abandon the form of organization provided for in sections 78.430 to 78.630 , by proceeding as follows: upon the petition of registered voters residing in the city numbering not less than twenty-five percent of the votes cast in the city in the last gubernatorial election, the question shall be submitted whether the city shall continue operating pursuant to sections 78.430 to 78.630 , in the manner provided for the adoption of sections 78.430 to 78.630 . Each petition shall contain, in addition to the printed names and signatures of each petitioner: (1) The street and house number of each petitioner; (2) The age of the petitioner; (3) An accompanying affidavit of one or more of the voters of the city. The affidavit shall state: (a) That the signers of the petition were, at the time of signing, voters of the city; and (b) The number of signers of the petition at the time of the making of the affidavit. 2. The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form: Shall the city manager form of government for the city of ______ be continued? 3. If a majority of the votes cast are against the continuation of the city manager form of government, then the provisions of sections 78.430 to 78.630 and all amendments thereto cease to be effective in the city and the city shall resume the form of government it abandoned when it adopted the plan provided for in sections 78.430 to 78.630 , and shall organize thereunder; except that any third class city, desiring to vote on the question to determine whether or not to remain organized under the provisions of sections 78.430 to 78.630 , may at the same time submit the question as to what form of government it shall adopt, if there is more than one other form provided for third class cities; but the change of form or organization shall not become effective until the next municipal election thereafter. (RSMo 1939 § 7095, A.L. 1957 p. 281, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, S.B. 594, A.L. 2001 H.B. 498) Prior revision: 1929 § 6945

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.460 Council to consist of five members - term - vacancies, how filled.

78.460. Council to consist of five members — term — vacancies, how filled. — The council shall consist of five members, and all persons now eligible for the position of councilman under the laws governing cities of the third class shall be eligible to serve as councilmen under sections 78.430 to 78.640 . The term of councilmen shall be three years, except that of the first council elected after the adoption of sections 78.430 to 78.640 , one member shall serve for one year, two for two years, and two for three years. Those councilmen receiving the highest number of votes at the first municipal election shall serve for the three-year term, those receiving the next highest shall serve for the two-year term, and the other for the one-year term. In counties of the first class with a charter form of government which have a population of at least nine hundred thousand inhabitants should a vacancy occur in the office of councilman by death, resignation or otherwise, a special election may be called by the council for the purpose of filling the vacancy, and the person elected at such special election shall serve only for the unexpired term or until his successor is elected and qualified. In all other counties should a vacancy occur in the office of councilman by death, resignation or otherwise, the council shall select a successor who shall serve until the next regular election. All councilmen shall be elected at large. They shall qualify and their terms of office shall begin on the first Monday after their election. The terms of office of the mayor and councilmen or aldermen in such city, in office at the beginning of the terms of office of the council first elected under the provisions of sections 78.430 to 78.640 , including all boards and commissions, shall cease and determine and the terms of office of all other city officers, whether elective or appointive, in force in such city except as herein provided shall cease and determine as soon as the council shall by resolution declare, except that the council may continue the board of public works, and the library, hospital and park boards for such time or times after organizing under sections 78.430 to 78.640 as the interests of the city in its judgment may require. (RSMo 1939 § 7081, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1982 S.B. 526, A.L. 1991 S.B. 34) Prior revision: 1929 § 6931

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.470 Candidates may be nominated by primary election, exception.

78.470. Candidates may be nominated by primary election, exception. — Except as provided in section 78.530 , candidates to be voted for at all general and special municipal elections at which the officers are to be elected under the provisions of sections 78.430 to 78.640 shall be nominated by a primary election, and no other names shall be placed upon the general ballot except those nominated as herein prescribed. The primary for such nominations shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February preceding the election, and the judges of the election appointed for general or special election shall be the judges of the primary election, so far as possible. (RSMo 1939 § 7082, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1983 S.B. 234) Prior revision: 1929 § 6932

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.480 Statement of candidacy if running in primary election, exception.

78.480. Statement of candidacy if running in primary election, exception. — 1. Except as provided in section 78.530 , any person desiring to become a candidate for councilman shall file with the city clerk a statement of such candidacy in substantially the following form: 2. The ballots shall be in substantially the following form: 3. The names of candidates receiving the highest number of votes for councilmen, equal to twice the number to be elected, if there be so many running, shall be placed upon the official ballot for councilmen at the municipal election. (RSMo 1939 § 7082, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1983 S.B. 234) Prior revision: 1929 § 6932

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.510 Primary shall not be required, when.

78.510. Primary shall not be required, when. — The primary election as provided for by sections 78.470 to 78.500 shall not be required if upon the expiration of the time for filing of statements with the city clerk of persons desiring to become a candidate for councilman, as provided for by sections 78.470 to 78.500 , the number of such persons shall not exceed a number equal to twice the number to be elected at the general or special election. Within forty-eight hours after the expiration of the time for filing of such statements with the city clerk the council shall canvass the statements filed to determine from the number of statements filed whether this section shall be applicable. In the event that it is determined that the provisions shall be applicable the council shall, by ordinance, provide that a primary election under the provisions of sections 78.470 to 78.500 shall not be held and that the names of the persons filing statements shall be printed on the municipal election ballots as the nominees for councilman as provided for by sections 78.520 to 78.540 ; provided, however, that the names of such persons appearing on such ballot shall appear thereon in the order that they were filed with the city clerk. (L. 1947 V. I p. 410 § 7082a, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.520 General election - official ballot for use following a primary election.

78.520. General election — official ballot for use following a primary election. — 1. Except as provided in section 78.530 , the city clerk shall thereupon cause the official ballots to be printed, and upon the ballots the names of the candidates shall be arranged in the order of their vote received at the primary election, and above the names of the candidates shall appear the words "Vote for (number to be elected)". 2. The ballots shall be in substantially the following form: (RSMo 1939 § 7083, A.L. 1963 p. 130, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1983 S.B. 234) Prior revision: 1929 § 6933

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.530 City elections, alternative procedure eliminating primary elections.

78.530. City elections, alternative procedure eliminating primary elections. — 1. As an alternative to conducting city elections as provided by sections 78.470 to 78.520 , the city council may provide by ordinance for the elimination of the primary election and the conduct of city elections as provided in this section. 2. Any person desiring to become a candidate for councilman shall file with the city clerk a statement of such candidacy in substantially the following form: 3. The city clerk shall thereupon cause the official ballots to be printed, and upon the ballots the names of the candidates shall appear in the order that their statements of candidacy were filed with the city clerk, and above the names of the candidates shall appear the words "Vote for (number to be elected)". 4. The ballots shall be in substantially the following form: (L. 1983 S.B. 234)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.540 Conduct of election - council to establish voting precincts.

78.540. Conduct of election — council to establish voting precincts. — 1. If a person elected fails to qualify within thirty days after his election, the office shall be filled as if there were a vacancy in such office, as herein provided. 2. No informalities in conducting municipal elections shall invalidate the same, if they have been conducted fairly and in substantial conformity to the requirements of these sections. 3. The council shall by ordinance, resolution or otherwise, divide the city into as many voting precincts as it may deem necessary to afford all the voters a convenient opportunity of exercising the right of franchise in all municipal elections to be held in the city, and each of said precincts shall be deemed a ward within the purview of the general and primary election laws of the state. (RSMo 1939 § 7083, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971) Prior revision: 1929 § 6933

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.560 Organization of city council.

78.560. Organization of city council. — 1. The city council shall at the time of organizing elect one of its members as mayor and another as chairman pro tem for a term of one year. In case the members of the city council, within five days after the time herein fixed for their organization meeting, are unable to agree upon a mayor or a chairman pro tem, of such council, then a mayor or chairman pro tem, or both, as the occasion may require, shall be selected from all the members of such council by lot and a record thereof shall be made upon the journal of the council. 2. The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the council and perform such other duties consistent with his office as may be imposed by it; and he shall have a voice and vote in its proceedings, but no veto. 3. The mayor shall be recognized as the official head of the city by the courts for the purpose of serving civil process, by the governor for the purpose of military law, and for all ceremonial purposes. The powers and duties of the mayor shall be such as are conferred upon him by sections 78.430 to 78.640 , and no others. 4. If the mayor be temporarily absent from the city, or become temporarily disabled from any cause, his duties shall be performed during such absence or disability by the chairman pro tem. In the absence of both the mayor and chairman pro tem the other members of the city council shall select one of their number to perform the duties of mayor. (RSMo 1939 § 7084) Prior revision: 1929 § 6934

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.570 Powers of council - city manager.

78.570. Powers of council — city manager. — 1. Except as herein otherwise provided the council of any city organizing under sections 78.430 to 78.640 shall have all of the powers now or hereafter given to the council or to the mayor and council jointly, under the law by which such city adopting said sections was governed under its former organization; and shall have such power over and control of the administration of the city government as is provided in said sections. 2. It shall be the duty of the council to pass all ordinances and other measures conducive to the welfare of the city and to the proper carrying out of the provisions of sections 78.430 to 78.640 . It shall appoint a suitable person not a member of the council to be the administrative head of the city government whose official title shall be "city manager". The council shall also provide for all offices and positions in addition to those herein specified, which may become necessary for the proper carrying on of the work of the city, and shall fix the salary and compensation of all officers and employees of the city not herein provided for. All officers of the city shall be paid in equal monthly installments for their services and all employees of the city shall be paid monthly or at such shorter periods as the council shall determine. The creation of all offices and salaries attached thereto, which may be provided for by the council under sections 78.430 to 78.640 , shall be by ordinance, and they shall all be for an indefinite term. The council shall also provide office rooms at the city hall or at some other convenient and suitable place in the city for the transaction of the business of the city and for the convenience of its officers. (RSMo 1939 § 7087) Prior revision: 1929 § 6937

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.573 Ordinances by initiative and referendum, procedure - exceptions - petition ...

78.573. Ordinances by initiative and referendum, procedure — exceptions — petition protesting an ordinance, procedure for repeal. — 1. The council may, by ordinance, adopt procedures for the initiative and referendum as provided in this section and section 78.575 . 2. Any proposal to adopt an ordinance except an ordinance appropriating money, emergency ordinances and ordinances for the levying of taxes may be submitted to the council by a petition signed by at least twenty-five percent of the registered voters. The signatures, verification, authentication, inspection, certification, amendment and submission of the petition shall be the same as that provided in section 78.270 . 3. When a petition to adopt an ordinance is signed by at least twenty-five percent of the registered voters, the council shall pass the ordinance without alteration, within twenty days of the clerk's certification of the petition, or submit it for a vote at the next municipal or state primary or general election. If a majority of the voters voting on the proposed ordinance vote in favor thereof, it shall thereupon become a valid and binding ordinance of the city. 4. If a petition protesting an ordinance, signed by at least twenty-five percent of the registered voters of the city, is presented to the council, the council shall reconsider such ordinance and, if it is not entirely repealed, submit the ordinance to the voters as provided by subsection 3 of this section. Such ordinance shall not remain in effect after the election unless a majority of the voters voting on the same shall vote in favor thereof. The petition shall be submitted, verified and certified in accordance with the provisions of section 78.270 * . (L. 1984 S.B. 632) *Section number "73.270" appears in original rolls.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.575 Form for submission of the question - repeal or amendment of ordinances ...

78.575. Form for submission of the question — repeal or amendment of ordinances adopted by initiative and referendum. — 1. The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form: Shall the following ordinance be (adopted) (repealed)? (Set out ordinance). 2. Any ordinance proposed by petition, or which is adopted by a vote of the people, cannot be repealed or amended by the council for a period of two years after the adoption of the ordinance except by a unanimous vote of all members of the council. Any number of proposed ordinances may be voted upon at the same election. The council may submit a proposition for the repeal of any such ordinance or for amendments thereto, to be voted upon at any municipal election. Should the proposition receive a majority of the votes cast thereon, it shall be repealed or amended accordingly. (L. 1984 S.B. 632)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.580 Quorum to do business.

78.580. Quorum to do business. — Three members of the council shall constitute a quorum to do business; but no action thereof shall be valid unless at least three shall vote in favor of such action. Upon every vote the yeas and nays shall be called and recorded and every motion, resolution, and ordinance shall be reduced to writing before the vote is taken thereon. Every resolution or ordinance passed by the council must be signed by the mayor or in his absence by the chairman pro tem, or by two members of the council before the same shall be enforced. (RSMo 1939 § 7085) Prior revision: 1929 § 6935

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.590 Meetings of the council - salary determined by city council.

78.590. Meetings of the council — salary determined by city council. — Regular meetings of the council shall be held at least once every month and special meetings may be called by the mayor at the mayor's own instance or upon written application of two members of the council. Each council member shall receive a salary as determined by ordinance of the council, payable quarterly. (RSMo 1939 § 7086, A.L. 2004 H.B. 1047) Prior revision: 1929 § 6936

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.600 Officials - appointment.

78.600. Officials — appointment. — The council shall appoint a city manager, a city clerk, city assessor and city treasurer; the offices of city clerk and city assessor may be filled by one person. All other officers and employees of the city shall be appointed and discharged by the city manager, the council to have power to make rules and regulations governing the same. (RSMo 1939 § 7088) Prior revision: 1929 § 6938

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.610 City manager - duties.

78.610. City manager — duties. — The city manager shall devote his or her entire time to the duties of his or her office. He shall be the administrative head of the government subject to the direction and supervision of the council and shall hold his office at the pleasure of the council, or may be employed for a term not to exceed one year. He shall receive an adequate salary to be fixed by the council which shall not be diminished during the service of any incumbent without his consent. The council shall have the discretion to require the city manager to reside in the city as a condition of employment; except in counties with a charter form of government the city manager shall be a resident of the city at the time of his or * her appointment. Before entering upon the duties of his or her office the city manager shall take the official oath required by law and shall execute a bond in favor of the city for the faithful performance of his or her duties and such sum shall be determined by the city council. It shall be his or her duty: (1) To make all appointments to offices and positions provided for in section 78.600 ; (2) To see that the laws and ordinances are enforced; (3) To exercise control of all departments and divisions that may hereafter be created by the council; (4) To see that all terms and conditions imposed in favor of the city or its inhabitants in any public utility franchises are faithfully kept and performed, and upon information of any violation thereof to take such steps as will be necessary to stop or prevent the further violation of the same; (5) To attend all meetings of the council with the privilege of taking part in the discussions but having no vote; (6) To recommend to the council for adoption such measures as he or she may deem necessary or expedient; (7) To prepare and submit the annual budget and to keep the city council fully advised as to the financial conditions and needs of the city and to perform such other duties as may be prescribed by these sections or be required of him or her by any ordinance or resolution of the council. (RSMo 1939 § 7089, A. 1949 H.B. 2028, A.L. 2007 S.B. 22) Prior revision: 1929 § 6939 *Word "or" does not appear in original rolls.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.620 Manager shall file itemized statements.

78.620. Manager shall file itemized statements. — The council of any city operating under sections 78.430 to 78.640 shall cause the city manager to prepare and file with the council monthly itemized statement of receipts and expenditures of the city, and a summary of the business transacted for the month preceding; and every three months the unpublished reports shall be published in pamphlet form and printed copies thereof shall be furnished the city library, the various newspapers of the city and citizens applying therefor at the office of the city clerk. (RSMo 1939 § 7092) Prior revision: 1929 § 6942

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.630 Franchise, lease, rights, privileges, also extensions and renewals, how ...

78.630. Franchise, lease, rights, privileges, also extensions and renewals, how granted — approval by voters — procedure. — 1. No initial ordinance granting any franchise, lease, right or privilege in or under the streets, public thoroughfares or public places of a city operating under sections 78.430 to 78.640 shall go into effect or become operative or vest any right in the grantee or grantees, unless such grant shall first be approved by a majority of the voters voting at a municipal election at which the proposed grant is properly submitted. Any renewal or extension thereof shall be subject to voter approval of the majority of the voters voting on the question, pursuant to the provisions of section 88.251 . 2. No ordinance or amendment or modification thereof granting any nonexclusive franchise, lease, right or privilege for not to exceed twenty years in or under the streets, public thoroughfares or public places of a city operating under sections 78.430 to 78.640 shall go into effect or become operative or vest any right in the grantee or grantees, except upon prior compliance with the following conditions: (1) Before final passage of the ordinance, or amendment or modification of ordinance, by the council, the city clerk shall prepare a notice of a public hearing thereupon and cause it, along with a true copy of the ordinance, including the full text of the franchise under consideration, to be published once a week for four consecutive weeks in a daily newspaper or for four consecutive weeks in a weekly newspaper if no daily newspaper is published in the city, the first publication to be at least thirty days before, and the last publication within ten days of, the date fixed by the city council for the public hearing; (2) The notice shall give the date, time and place of the public hearing, and shall contain a statement of the substance and effect of the proposed ordinance, and a further statement that the ordinance, or amendment or modification of ordinance, as introduced, or a true copy thereof, may be inspected and copied at the office of the city clerk during regular business hours; (3) The public hearing shall be at a regular, adjourned or called meeting of the city council at which all interested persons will be heard in person or by attorney; (4) The city council may at any time, before or after the public hearing, submit the proposed franchise, lease, right or privilege to an election by the voters for their approval; (5) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply in the granting of any franchise, lease, right or privilege to any utility regulated by the public service commission of the state of Missouri. 3. Any ordinance, however, may be amended or modified by the council of any city as to streets, alleys, or public places already occupied and used by any person, persons or corporation by and under a franchise then in existence and only as to such streets, alleys or public places used and occupied by such person, persons or corporation under a franchise then in existence, when such modifications or amendment is necessary to enable such person or corporation to enlarge, better or improve its facilities, equipment, material or structure above, upon or beneath such streets, alleys, public thoroughfares or public places then used and occupied by such person or corporation by and under a franchise then in existence, for the purpose of removing or overcoming hindrances to public service. The city council shall have the right to grant to any railroad company the right to construct switches or spur tracks to industrial plants or warehouses. (RSMo 1939 § 7091, A.L. 1963 p. 131, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1987 S.B. 412) Prior revision: 1929 § 6941

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.700 Optional city manager form of government - procedure to adopt, election, ...

78.700. Optional city manager form of government — procedure to adopt, election, ballot form. — As an alternative to the city manager form of government described in sections 78.430 to 78.640 , any city of the third class, or any city with a population entitling it to become a city of the third class, may become organized under the optional city manager form of government as provided in sections 78.700 to 78.720 . Upon petition of voters residing in the city equal in number to twenty-five percent of the votes cast within the city for all candidates for governor in the last preceding election, the mayor shall by proclamation submit the question of organizing under sections 78.700 to 78.720 . The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form: Shall the city of ______ organize under sections 78.700 to 78.720 , providing for the optional city manager form of government? (L. 1985 H.B. 244 § 1)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.703 City may abandon plan, when - procedure, election, ballot form.

78.703. City may abandon plan, when — procedure, election, ballot form. — Any city which has operated under the provisions of sections 78.700 to 78.720 not less than six years may abandon the form of organization provided for herein, by proceeding as follows: Upon the petition of not less than twenty-five percent of the voters casting votes for governor in the last preceding general election of such city, as shown by the total vote cast at the last preceding municipal election of the city, the question shall be submitted whether the city shall continue operating under the provisions of sections 78.700 to 78.720 . The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form: Shall the city manager form of government for the city of ______ be continued? (L. 1985 H.B. 244 § 2)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.706 City to be divided into five wards, procedure.

78.706. City to be divided into five wards, procedure. — If a majority of the votes cast on the question of adoption are in favor of adopting the optional form of government provided in sections 78.700 to 78.720 , the existing council shall by ordinance divide the city into five wards of approximately equal population. The council shall then assign an arbitrary designation to each ward and shall cause a lot to be drawn for each ward designated from among the five lots, numbered one through five. The wards shall thereafter be known as wards one, two, three, four and five according to the lot drawn for each. (L. 1985 H.B. 244 § 3)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.712 Council to consist of seven members, qualifications - term, vacancies, how ...

78.712. Council to consist of seven members, qualifications — term, vacancies, how filled — quorum. — 1. If a city adopts the optional city manager form of government, the council shall consist of seven members, and all persons now eligible for the position of councilman under the laws governing cities of the third class shall be eligible to serve as councilmen under the provisions of sections 78.700 to 78.720 , provided that a ward councilman must reside within the ward he represents. One councilman shall be elected from each ward by the qualified voters thereof, and two councilmen shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the city, at the first municipal election after the adoption of the optional form of government provided in sections 78.700 to 78.720 . The term of councilmen shall be three years; provided, that of the first council elected after the adoption of sections 78.700 to 78.720 , the councilmen representing wards two and four shall serve terms of one year; the councilmen representing wards one and three shall serve terms of two years; and the councilman representing ward five, along with the two councilmen elected at large, shall serve terms of three years. In any special election held to replace a councilman elected by the voters of a particular ward, only the voters of that ward shall be eligible to vote. 2. Four members of the council shall constitute a quorum to do business, and no action of the council shall be valid unless at least four shall vote in favor of such action. (L. 1985 H.B. 244 §§ 4, 5 subdiv. (4))

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 78.720 Other applicable procedures for optional plan - councilmen, nomination and ...

78.720. Other applicable procedures for optional plan — councilmen, nomination and election — eligible voters — statement of candidacy, contents — ballot form. — Except as otherwise provided in sections 78.700 to 78.720 , the provisions of sections 78.430 to 78.640 shall apply to the adoption, implementation, or abandonment of the optional city manager form of government, provided that: (1) Only the qualified voters of each ward shall be eligible to vote to nominate the candidates for councilmen of their respective wards, or to elect a ward councilman; and (2) Statements of candidacy shall indicate whether the candidate is running at large or as a ward councilman. Candidates seeking to become a ward councilman shall also specify the ward and state under oath that they are a qualified voter of such ward; and (3) Separate ballots shall be provided in all elections held pursuant to the adoption of the optional city manager form of government for the offices of councilmen at large and ward councilman, designated as follows: "FOR COUNCILMEN AT LARGE" or "FOR ______ WARD COUNCILMAN". (L. 1985 H.B. 244 § 5 subdivs. (1), (2), (3))
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=78Fetched: 10/17/2026