Missouri Laws 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 merit system police department, a marshal.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 1 of this section, in cities which contract with another entity for police service, the city council may eliminate the office of marshal.
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 77.370
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- following: when used by way of reference to any section of the statutes, mean the section next preceding or next following that in which the reference is made, unless some other section is expressly designated in the reference. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- 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 staff. See Missouri Laws 77.400
- person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- Property: includes real and personal property. See Missouri Laws 1.020
3. The attorney shall be a person licensed to practice law in Missouri, and the council, by ordinance, may provide for the appointment of an attorney, by the mayor with the approval of the council, in lieu of electing an attorney. If so appointed he shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor and council.
4. Whenever a city contracts for the assessment of property or the collection of taxes with either a public or private entity as authorized by section 70.220, the city council may by ordinance provide that at the expiration of the term of the then city assessor or collector, as the case may be, the office is abolished and thereafter no election shall be had to fill the office; except that in the event the contract expires and, for any reason, is not renewed, the council may by ordinance provide for the election of such officer at the next and succeeding regular elections for municipal officers.
5. The term of office for each of the officers is two years except the office of mayor and the marshal which are four-year terms. All officers hold office until their successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified.
6. The council, by ordinance, may provide that any officer of the city except the mayor and the councilmen shall be appointed instead of elected. Such ordinance shall set the manner of appointment, in accordance with section 77.330, and the term of office for each appointive officer, which term shall not exceed four years.