Title VII — CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES

77.010. Third class cities, incorporation and powers of. — Any city of the third class in this state may become a body corporate under the provisions of this chapter, in the manner provided by law, under the name of "The city of ______", and by that name shall have perpetual succ…

77.020. City limits may be altered, how. — The mayor and council of such city, with the consent of a majority of the legal voters of such city voting at an election thereof, shall have power to extend the limits of the city over territory adjacent thereto, and to diminish the lim…

77.030. Division of city into wards — council members, terms. — 1. Unless it elects to be governed by subsection 2 of this section, the council shall by ordinance divide the city into not less than four wards, and two councilmen shall be elected from each of such wards by the qua…

77.040. Election of officers — option to appoint certain officers — terms. — A general election for the elective officers of each city of the third class shall be held after the organization of the city under the provisions of this chapter and on municipal election days every two…

77.042. City administrator, employment authorized. — The governing body of any city of the third class, except those organized under the provisions of sections 78.430 to 78.640, and any fourth class city may by ordinance provide for the employment by the governing body with the a…

77.044. Qualifications, compensation of administrator. — 1. The governing body shall provide, as minimum qualifications, that the city administrator be at least twenty-one years of age, and that he devote his full time to the performance of the duties of his office. The governing…

77.046. Other officers, appointment, discharge, regulations concerning. — 1. Upon the adoption of a city administrator form of government, the governing body of the city may provide that all other officers and employees of the city, except elected officers, shall be appointed and…

77.048. Other powers of mayor and council retained. — Except as provided in sections 77.042 to 77.048, the mayor and city council of any third class city and the mayor and board of aldermen of any fourth class city which adopts the city administrator form of government shall reta…

[Repealed or reserved.]

77.060. Councilman, qualifications. — No person shall be councilman unless he is at least twenty-one years of age prior to taking office, a citizen of the United States, and an inhabitant of the city for one year next preceding his election, and a resident of the ward from which …

77.070. President pro tem. — At the first regular meeting of the city council after the election in each year--which meeting shall occur at the time fixed by ordinance, but shall not be later than the fourth Tuesday in April--the council shall elect one of its members president p…

77.080. Style of ordinances — procedure to enact. — The style of the ordinances of the city shall be: "Be it ordained by the council of the city of ______, as follows:" No ordinance shall be passed except by bill, and no bill shall become an ordinance unless on its final passage …

77.090. Proceedings of, how kept. — The council shall cause to be kept a journal of its proceedings, and the ayes and nays of the members shall be entered on any question at the desire of any two members. The council may prescribe and enforce such rules as may be necessary to sec…

77.100. Powers of council — witnesses, papers. — The council shall have power to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of papers relating to any subject under consideration in which the interest of the city is involved, and shall have power to call on the proper o…

77.105. Budget and expenditures, approval by ordinance, motion, or resolution required. — The budget or any authorization to expend funds shall be approved by an ordinance, motion, or resolution that is approved by a majority of all the members elected to the governing body. ­­--…

77.110. Council to publish semiannual statements. — The council shall publish a full and detailed statement of the receipts and expenditures and indebtedness of the city at the end of each fiscal year and six months after the end of each fiscal year in a newspaper of general circ…

77.120. Council may acquire land for and maintain cemetery. — The city council shall have power to purchase, receive and hold real estate, as herein mentioned, for public cemetery purposes, either within the city or within three miles thereof; provided, that no such cemetery shal…

77.130. Cemetery lots, how conveyed. — The cemetery lots shall be conveyed by certificates, signed by the mayor and countersigned by the clerk, under the seal of the city, specifying that the purchaser to whom the same is issued is the owner of the lot or lots described therein b…

77.140. May control watercourses, establish water reservoirs, market houses, city hall and parks. — The council may establish, alter and change the channel of watercourses, and wall them and cover them over, and prevent obstructions thereon, and may establish, make and regulate p…

77.150. Cities may acquire property for dams, flood protection, bathhouses. — In addition to other powers, the mayor and council of cities of the third class are hereby authorized and empowered to acquire by gift, devise, purchase or condemnation, within such cities or within a m…

77.160. Payment for property acquired — issuance of bonds. — The mayor and council of said cities are authorized to accept gifts and grants and to borrow money and execute, issue and negotiate bonds or other securities, for the purpose of paying the cost of acquiring said propert…

77.170. Manner of purchasing and condemning lands. — The mayor and common council, in proceeding by ordinance to purchase and condemn lands for the purpose stated in section 77.160, may proceed in the manner provided by law for the establishment of streets, avenues, alleys or mar…

77.180. Election to be held for issuance of bonds. — Before any such bonds shall be issued the mayor and council shall, by ordinance, provide that said bonds shall be issued, which said ordinance shall fix the maximum amount of said bonds and in a general way the purposes for whi…

77.190. May purchase fire-fighting equipment. — The council may also purchase fire engines, hook and ladder outfits, hose and hose carts, buckets and all other apparatus useful in the extinguishing of fires, and organize fire companies, and prescribe rules of duty for the governm…

77.200. Railroads or street railroads — powers of council. — The council shall have sole authority, by ordinance, to grant the right to any person or persons, or corporation, to make and construct railroads or street railroads in any street or highway of the city, and to control …

77.210. Thirty-year franchises and extensions may be granted for supplying heat — voter approval required, procedure. — All cities of the third class may grant to any person or corporation formed under the laws of this state or doing business as a foreign corporation under the la…

77.220. May change names of streets, how. — Whenever it is deemed necessary by the council to change the name of any street or avenue, the council shall, by resolution, declare such proposed change of name necessary to be made, and shall cause such resolution to be published at l…

77.230. Qualifications of mayor. — No person shall be mayor unless he be at least thirty years of age, a citizen of the United States and a resident of such city at the time of and for two years next preceding his election. When two or more persons shall have an equal number of v…

77.240. Vacancy in office of mayor, how filled, exceptions — president pro tem, duties of. — When any vacancy shall happen in the office of mayor, by death, resignation, removal from the city, removal from office, refusal to qualify or otherwise, nominations of a successor may be…

77.250. Mayor to be president of council — vote. — The mayor shall be president of the council and shall preside over same, but shall not vote except in case of a tie in said council, when he shall cast the deciding vote; but provided, however, that he shall have no such power to…

77.260. Powers and duties of mayor and council generally. — The mayor and council of each city governed by this chapter shall have the care, management and control of the city and its finances, and shall have power to enact and ordain any and all ordinances not repugnant to the c…

77.270. Mayor to approve ordinances — may veto — proceedings when vetoed. — Every bill presented to the mayor and returned to the council with the approval of the mayor shall become an ordinance, and every bill presented as aforesaid, but returned with his objections thereto, sha…

77.280. Mayor may veto resolutions and orders. — The mayor shall also have the power to veto any resolution or order of the council which calls for or contemplates the expenditure of the revenues of the city. Such vetoes shall be noted on the journal of the council, and shall be …

77.290. Mayor shall communicate to the council, what. — The mayor shall, from time to time, communicate to the council such measures as may, in his opinion, tend to the improvement of the finances, the police, health, security, ornament, comfort and general prosperity of the city…

77.310. May require officers to exhibit accounts. — The mayor shall have power to require, as often as he may deem it necessary, any officer of the city to exhibit his accounts or other papers or records, and to make report to the council, in writing, touching any subject or matt…

77.320. Mayor to sign all commissions and appointments — bond approval by mayor. — The mayor shall sign the commissions and appointments of all city officers elected or appointed in the city, and shall approve all official bonds. ­­-------- (RSMo 1939 § 6872, A.L. 1990 H.B. 986) …

77.330. May appoint what officers. — The mayor, with the consent and approval of a majority of the members elected to the city council, shall have power to appoint a street commissioner and such other officers as he may be authorized by ordinance to appoint. ­­-------- (RSMo 1939…

77.340. May remove officer with consent of council. — The mayor may, with the consent of a majority of all the members elected to the city council, remove from office, for cause shown, any elective officer of the city, such officer being first given opportunity, together with his…

77.350. Shall enforce ordinances. — The mayor shall be active and vigilant in enforcing all laws and ordinances for the government of the city, and he shall cause all subordinate officers to be dealt with promptly for any neglect or violation of duty; and he is hereby authorized …

77.360. May remit fines. — The mayor shall have power to remit fines and forfeitures and to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses arising under ordinances of the city; but this section shall not be so construed as to authorize the mayor to remit any costs which may have accrue…

77.370. Elective officers — option to appoint certain officers — terms. — 1. Except as hereinafter provided, the following officers shall be elected by the voters of the city: mayor, police judge, attorney, assessor, collector, treasurer and, except in cities which adopt the meri…

77.380. Officers to be voters and residents of city, exceptions, appointed officers. — All officers elected to offices or appointed to fill a vacancy in any elective office under the city government shall be voters under the laws and constitution of this state and, except appoint…

77.390. Officer's oath — bond. — Every officer of the city and his assistants, and every councilman, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation before some court of record in the county, or the city clerk, that he possesses a…

77.400. Term officer construed. — The term "officer", whenever used in this chapter, shall include any person holding any situation under the city government or any of its departments, with an annual salary, or for a definite term of office, other than clerical or professional st…

77.410. City clerk — duties. — The city clerk shall, among other duties, keep the journal of the proceedings of the council. He shall safely and properly keep all records and papers belonging to the city which may be entrusted to his care, and generally shall perform all the duti…

77.440. Compensation of officers and employees. — The council shall have power to fix the compensation of all officers and employees of the city. ­­-------- (RSMo 1939 § 6893, A.L. 1955 p. 290, A.L. 1990 H.B. 986) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6747; 1919 § 8234; 1909 § 9171

77.450. Vacancies, how filled. — If a vacancy occurs in any elective office other than the office of mayor, a successor to the vacant office shall be selected by appointment by the mayor with the advice and consent of a majority of the remaining members of the council. The counci…

77.460. Corrupt allowance of claim, how punished. — Any member of the council or officer of the city who shall, in official capacity, or under color of his office, knowingly or willfully or corruptly vote or assent to, or report in favor of, or allow or certify for allowance, any…

77.480. Duties may be regulated by ordinance — bonds required. — The duties, powers and privileges of officers of every character in any way connected with the city government, not herein defined, shall be prescribed by ordinance; and bonds may be required of any such officers fo…

77.490. May fix certain rates. — The council may, by ordinance, regulate and fix reasonable maximum rates and charges for the rental and use of telephones and telephone service within such city, and the price and quality of water, gas, gasoline, petroleum, electric lights and oth…