reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.030 - Third class cities.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1975
72.030. Third class cities. —
All cities and towns in this state containing three thousand or more inhabitants, which shall elect to be a city of the third class, shall be cities of the third class.
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(RSMo 1939 § 6214, A.L. 1975 H.B. 398)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.040 - Fourth class cities — villages may vote to become.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1982
72.040. Fourth class cities — villages may vote to become. —
1. All cities and towns in this state containing five hundred and less than three thousand inhabitants, and all towns existing under any special law, and having less than five hundred inhabitants which shall elect to be cities of the fourth class, shall be cities of the fourth class.
2. Notwithstanding the population requirements of subsection 1 of this section, all incorporated villages as of August 13, 1982, may elect by majority vote of the voters therein to be a city of the fourth class and shall retain such classification at its option.
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(RSMo 1939 § 6215, A.L. 1982 H.B. 1120)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 6093; 1919 § 7613; 1909 § 8527
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.050 - Villages — certain towns declared to be, when — villages may vote to become fourth class cities.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1982
72.050. Villages — certain towns declared to be, when — villages may vote to become fourth class cities. —
1. All towns not now incorporated in this state containing less than five hundred inhabitants are hereby declared to be villages.
2. Any village in this state now or hereafter having more than two hundred inhabitants may by majority vote of the voters therein elect to become a city of the fourth class and shall retain such classification at its option.
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(RSMo 1939 § 6216, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1982 H.B. 1120 §§ 72.050, 1)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 6094; 1919 § 7614; 1909 § 8528
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.060 - May cause census to be taken, when.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.060. May cause census to be taken, when. —
Any city, town or village within this state, now incorporated under the provisions of this chapter, or under any special or local law, as a village, town or city, either of the second, third or fourth classes, as classified in said chapter, and in which the citizens thereof desire incorporation as a village, town or city of a higher class, and believe that since the taking of the last census, state or national, there has been sufficient increase in population to entitle it to such desired incorporation, may, by authority of an ordinance, and at the expense of such village, town or city, cause to be taken a census of its population, and should such census, when so taken, show that the village, town or city taking the same, has the requisite population to entitle it to the right to become incorporated as a village, town or city of the higher class, then such village, town or city may proceed to secure such incorporation as its population may then entitle it to, under and by authority of the provisions of this chapter; provided, that cities or towns that have permitted their organization to become dormant or ineffective, through a failure to elect corporate officers or levy a corporate tax for the two years immediately preceding, may, by a petition of the majority of the taxpayers of such city or town to the county commission, have an enumeration taken and be assigned to its proper class; and thereupon the county commission shall appoint the proper officers for such city or town, who shall hold their office until the next municipal election thereafter and until their successors are elected and qualified.
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(RSMo 1939 § 6222, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 6100; 1919 § 7620; 1909 § 8534
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.070 - Election by city or town to become city of different class — village officers to act on becoming city.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1982
72.070. Election by city or town to become city of different class — village officers to act on becoming city. —
Any city, town or village in this state, existing by virtue of the present general law, or by any local or special law, may elect to become a city of the class to which its population would entitle it under the provisions of sections 72.030 to 72.140, or who may elect to become a city of a class to which it may be eligible as otherwise provided by section 72.040 or section 72.050 shall proceed by passing an ordinance or proposition, and submitting the same to the legal voters of such city, town or village, at an election to be held for that purpose, not less than twenty days nor more than thirty days after the passage of such ordinance or proposition; and if a majority of such voters voting at such election shall ratify such ordinance or proposition, the mayor or chief officer of such city, town, or village shall issue his proclamation, declaring the result of such election, and thereafter such city, town, or village shall, by virtue of such vote, be incorporated under the provisions of the general law providing for the government of the class to which such city belongs. Whenever any village shall elect to become a city of the class to which it is entitled, the officers of such village, until new officers shall be elected and qualified, shall be the officers of such city, with the powers and functions corresponding to the powers and functions of the officers of the former village, the chairman of the board of trustees to act as mayor and the remaining trustees to act as aldermen, with the power to divide the city into wards and to call an election of officers of such city and to submit to the voters of such city in the manner provided by law such other matters or propositions as they may deem proper and as may be authorized by law. Any city eligible for more than one classification shall alter that classification pursuant to the procedure contained in this section.
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(RSMo 1939 § 6217, A.L. 1957 p. 249, A.L. 1982 H.B. 1120)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 6095; 1919 § 7615; 1909 § 8529
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.090 - Unincorporated city entitled to become third class city — may incorporate and adopt commission form, when.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1939
72.090. Unincorporated city entitled to become third class city — may incorporate and adopt commission form, when. —
Provided, that any city or town of the state of Missouri, not incorporated, having sufficient population to entitle it to become a city of the third class, in making application for incorporation as a city of the third class, may include in its petition for such incorporation a request that it be authorized to avail itself of the provisions of sections 78.010 to 78.420, and the county commission, in passing upon such application, shall have power in its order of incorporation to authorize said city to be governed by the provisions of sections 78.010 to 78.420 as fully as if the provisions of sections 78.010 to 78.420 had been adopted by a formal election of the inhabitants of the territory comprised therein; and thereupon such county commission shall appoint the officers of such city provided by sections 78.010 to 78.420.
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(RSMo 1939 § 6217)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 6095; 1919 § 7615; 1909 § 8529
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.100 - City or town situated on county line.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.100. City or town situated on county line. —
Provided, that when any city, town or other area is or may be situated on the county line, and in two counties, the petition shall be signed by a number of voters equal to fifteen percent of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election in the area proposed in each county to be incorporated of such city, town or other area in each county, and presented to the governing body of each county, and designating that each of the two governing bodies equally shall designate the officers therefor. If the governing body of each county shall be satisfied that a number of voters equal to fifteen percent of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election in the area proposed in each county to be incorporated have signed such petition, the governing bodies of each county shall submit the question to the voters. If a majority of the voters voting on the question, of each of the counties in such city or town, vote for incorporation, the governing bodies of each county shall declare such city or town incorporated and the inhabitants thereof shall thenceforth be a body politic and incorporate, by the name and style of "the city of ______", or "the town of ______", and provided further, that appeals taken from the decision of the mayor, judge or other officer before whom any cause is tried, acting for said city, town or other area may be sent to the circuit court of either county wherein such city or town is situated, as may be specified in the order granting such appeal.
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(RSMo 1939 § 6217, A.L. 1971 H.B. 28, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 6095; 1919 § 7615; 1909 § 8529
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.110 - Jurisdiction to remain same.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1949
72.110. Jurisdiction to remain same. —
The jurisdiction of any city which shall be reorganized under this chapter shall not in any wise be affected or changed in consequence of such reorganization, but such limits, wards and boundaries shall remain after such reorganization the same as before such reorganization; and all laws or parts of laws or ordinances, not inconsistent with the provisions of the chapter dealing with the class into which such city is reorganized, which were operative in such city prior to its reorganization, shall continue to be in force until repealed or otherwise changed by ordinance.
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(RSMo 1939 §§ 6229, 6606, 6866, 7097, A. 1949 H.B. 2024 § 77.11)
Prior revisions: 1929 §§ 6107, 6483, 6720, 6947; 1919 §§ 7627, 7973, 8207, 8398; 1909 §§ 8541, 9144, 9300
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.120 - Rights of property retained.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1939
72.120. Rights of property retained. —
All rights and property of every kind and description, which were vested in any city under its former organization, shall be deemed and held to be vested in such city upon its becoming reorganized as provided in sections 72.090 to 72.110, but no rights or liabilities, either in favor of or against such city, existing at the time of so becoming reorganized, and no suit or prosecution of any kind shall be affected by such change, but the same shall stand and progress as if no change had been made.
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(RSMo 1939 § 6218)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 6096; 1919 § 7616; 1909 § 8530
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.130 - No incorporation within two miles of existing city, where, exceptions.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 15 May 2003, see footnote
72.130. No incorporation within two miles of existing city, where, exceptions. —
Except as provided in sections 72.400 to 72.420, no city, town, village or other area shall be organized within this state under and by virtue of any law thereof, adjacent to or within two miles of the limits of any city of the first, second, third or fourth classification or any constitutional charter city, unless the city, town, village or other area be in a different county from the city or unless the city, town, or village is located within any county of the first classification with more than eighty-two thousand but less than eighty-two thousand one hundred inhabitants, except that a city, town, village or other area may be incorporated within the two-mile area if a petition signed by a number of voters equal to fifteen percent of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election in the area proposed to be incorporated is presented to the existing city requesting that the boundaries of the existing city be extended to include the area proposed to be incorporated and if action taken thereon by the existing city is unfavorable to the petition, or if no action is taken by the existing city on the petition, then the city, town, village or other area may be incorporated after the expiration of one year from the date of the petition and upon a favorable majority vote on the question.
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(RSMo 1939 § 6221, A.L. 1959 H.B. 207, A.L. 1965 p. 192, A.L. 1971 H.B. 28, A.L. 1973 H.B. 640, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1995 H.B. 446, A.L. 2003 H.B. 166 merged with S.B. 238)
Effective 5-15-03 (S.B. 238); 8-28-03 (H.B. 166)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.132 - Signers to state name, address and date when signing petition — time limit on petition.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1971
72.132. Signers to state name, address and date when signing petition — time limit on petition. —
1. Every inhabitant signing such petition shall state his street address or rural post-office box number and route together with the month, day and year on which he affixed his signature thereto.
2. Every such petition shall be presented to the appropriate county commission or county council within two hundred eighty days following the date on which the first signature was affixed to such petition, or any part thereof. Failure to so present such petition within the foregoing time period shall render such petition absolutely void.
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(L. 1971 H.B. 28 § 72.136)
(1978) Held incorporation petitions containing signatures without giving the date of each signature are not void. Cherry v. City of Hayti Heights (Mo.), 563 S.W.2d 72.
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.135 - Resubmission within year prohibited.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.135. Resubmission within year prohibited. —
No such question shall be resubmitted for substantially the same area within one year after defeat of the question.
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(L. 1971 H.B. 28, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.140 - Reorganization to take effect, when — officers hold, how long.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1939
72.140. Reorganization to take effect, when — officers hold, how long. —
Any city which may organize under this chapter shall continue as before in every respect with all former rights and obligations until the time fixed for such reorganization to take effect; and all its officers and employees shall continue to discharge the duties of their respective offices and shall hold their offices until their successors are elected or appointed and qualified, except as herein otherwise provided.
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(RSMo 1939 § 6227)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 6105; 1919 § 7625; 1909 § 8539
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.150 - Certain adjoining municipalities may consolidate — certain cities to comply with boundary changes law — consolidation of certain cities, towns, or villages in counties of the first, second, or third classification.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 2016, 2 histories
72.150. Certain adjoining municipalities may consolidate — certain cities to comply with boundary changes law — consolidation of certain cities, towns, or villages in counties of the first, second, or third classification. —
1. When two or more cities, towns or villages in this state adjoining and contiguous to each other in the same or adjoining county or two or more cities, towns or villages located in a county of the second classification having a population of at least forty-seven thousand but not more than forty-nine thousand which are not adjoining and contiguous to each other but whose combined territory when combined will be contiguous shall be desirous of being consolidated, it shall be lawful for them to consolidate under one government of the classification under which any of them was organized or the classification provided for the consolidated population, in the manner and subject to the provisions prescribed in sections 72.150 to 72.220. Any cities, towns or villages within any county with a charter form of government where fifty or more cities, towns and villages have been incorporated shall consolidate pursuant to the provisions of section 72.420.
2. When two or more cities, towns or villages located in a county of the first classification or a county of the second classification that have entered into one or more intergovernmental agreements related to municipal services and are separated by a distance of not more than one mile and are connected by at least two publicly maintained rights-of-way shall be desirous of being consolidated, it shall be lawful for them to consolidate under one government of the classification under which any of them was organized or the classification provided for the consolidated population, in the manner and subject to the provisions prescribed in sections 72.150 to 72.220.
3. When two or more cities, towns or villages located in any county of the third classification are separated by a distance of not more than one and one-half miles and are desirous of being consolidated, it shall be lawful for them to consolidate under one government of the classification under which any of them was organized or the classification provided for the consolidated population, in the manner and subject to the provisions prescribed in sections 72.150 to 72.220.
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(RSMo 1939 § 7829, A.L. 1961 p. 193, A.L. 1963 p. 128, A.L. 1976 H.B. 1295, A.L. 1989 H.B. 487, A.L. 1992 S.B. 571, A.L. 1995 H.B. 446, A.L. 2016 H.B. 1684)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 7684; 1919 § 9123; 1909 § 9948
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.153 - Cities separated by street or stream may consolidate as though contiguous.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.153. Cities separated by street or stream may consolidate as though contiguous. —
If the cities, towns or villages proposing to consolidate are separated only by a street, road or other public way, or a stream, or vacant land, they may consolidate as though they were adjoining and contiguous by taking in the street, road or other public way, or stream or vacant land as part of the consolidated municipality. The question submitted to the voters of each city, town or village shall include a provision that the street, road or other public way, or stream or vacant land to the extent set out by appropriate description in the proposition shall become a part of the consolidated municipality upon approval of the voters voting on the question.
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(L. 1965 p. 192, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.155 - Consolidation ordinance when initiated by municipality — contents.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1963
72.155. Consolidation ordinance when initiated by municipality — contents. —
1. Consolidation of municipalities may be instituted by the governing bodies of any cities, towns or villages, or any combination thereof, by ordinance, adopted by the governing bodies of the respective municipalities. The ordinance shall contain the following:
(1) The names of the municipalities to be consolidated;
(2) The proposed effective date of consolidation;
(3) The number of votes cast in the last municipal election.
2. The ordinance may contain the name of the municipality as consolidated, the form of government to be adopted and the details of transition, such as which officers will serve, which employees shall be retained, what taxes will be collected, what ordinances will be in effect and similar matters for the operation of the consolidated municipality until the new governing body provides otherwise.
3. The adopted ordinance shall then be filed with the county commission in the same manner as provided for initiative petitions in section 72.167.
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(L. 1961 p. 193 § 72.157, A.L. 1963 p. 128)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.160 - Petition of voters for election — county commission to order election, how and when.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.160. Petition of voters for election — county commission to order election, how and when. —
Whenever a petition containing the signatures of one hundred voters, or fifteen percent of the total number of votes cast in the last preceding election, whichever is greater, in each of the affected municipalities (provided, however, that in the event any affected municipality has a population of less than one thousand the one hundred or more minimum signature requirement shall not apply, and only the fifteen percent requirement shall apply as to such municipality) shall petition the county commission to order the question of consolidation of such cities, towns or villages into one city, town or village, the county commission at the next regular or special term of said commission shall submit the question to the voters.
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(RSMo 1939 § 7830, A.L. 1961 p. 193, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 7685; 1919 § 9124; 1909 § 9949
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.163 - Petition for consolidation, contents, verification.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1975
72.163. Petition for consolidation, contents, verification. —
1. A petition for consolidation shall contain the following:
(1) The names of the municipalities to be consolidated;
(2) The proposed effective date of consolidation;
(3) The number of votes cast in the last municipal election;
(4) A statement that all signers are registered voters in the affected municipality;
(5) The form of government, the name of the municipality as consolidated and the details of transition, such as which officers will serve, which employees shall be retained, what taxes will be collected, what ordinances will be in effect and similar matters for the operation of the consolidated municipality until the new governing body provides otherwise, may be included, but are not required.
2. All persons signing the petition for consolidation shall designate their address opposite their signatures, and said signatures shall be affixed before a person who shall certify, by affidavit acknowledged before a notary public, that said signatures were affixed in his or her presence.
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(L. 1961 p. 193 § 72.151, A.L. 1963 p. 128, A.L. 1975 H.B. 641)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.165 - County commission to submit question, when.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.165. County commission to submit question, when. —
The county commission may submit the question of consolidation when it receives ordinances from one or more municipalities and petitions from residents of one or more other municipalities requesting the submission of the question, if the ordinances and petitions propose the same terms and conditions for consolidation and fulfill the requirements of sections 72.150 to 72.205.
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(L. 1963 p. 128 § 72.167, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.167 - Approval of municipality of petition by citizens, procedure on — certification to county commission, contents.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1961
72.167. Approval of municipality of petition by citizens, procedure on — certification to county commission, contents. —
1. When the petition for a proposed consolidation of municipalities originates from a group of citizens within a municipality to be included in the proposal, the petition shall be filed with the governing body of the municipality affected. The governing body of the municipality shall then have ninety days, from the filing of the petition, to study and investigate the proposal and endorse thereon their approval or disapproval. In either alternative, the governing body shall forward the petition with a certification of the municipality's clerk, stating the action taken by the governing body, to the county commission. The certification may, but shall not be required to, contain reasons for approval or disapproval of the petition, but whether approved or disapproved, the certification shall also contain the following information:
(1) A statement that the names of signers fulfill statutory requirements as to number, residence and qualification to vote;
(2) A statement as to the number and amounts of all bond issues in the municipality, and the amount owing upon each;
(3) A copy of the last annual financial report required by statute to be published by the municipality;
(4) A statement as to the current tax rate of the municipality;
(5) A statement listing the locations of municipally owned real estate, indicating whether improved or unimproved.
2. In the event that the governing body of the municipality shall not take action approving or disapproving the petition for consolidation within ninety days from receipt thereof, it shall be deemed rejected and the municipality's clerk shall within five days forward the petition to the county commission noting the fact in the certification.
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(L. 1961 p. 193 § 72.158)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.170 - Form of ballot.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.170. Form of ballot. —
The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form:
Shall ______ and ______ consolidate?
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(RSMo 1939 § 7831, A.L. 1961 p. 193, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 7686; 1919 § 9125; 1909 § 9950
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.180 - Consolidation effective, when — more than two cities, vote against, effect.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 09 Jul 1992, see footnote
72.180. Consolidation effective, when — more than two cities, vote against, effect. —
If it shall appear that a majority of the votes cast in each one of said municipalities on the question shall be in favor of consolidation, the certificate of the clerk shall be recorded in the journal of the council, board of trustees or board of aldermen of each of said cities, towns or villages, and consolidation of such cities, towns or villages thereafter be consummated. Where more than two cities, towns or villages as provided in section 72.150, seek consolidation, a majority of the votes cast in any one city, town or village against the consolidation shall not prevent the consolidation of the remaining cities, towns or villages if a majority of the votes cast in such remaining cities, towns or villages are in favor of consolidation unless a majority of the votes in the largest of the cities, towns or villages seeking consolidation is against consolidation, in which case the consolidation shall be deemed to have been defeated.
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(RSMo 1939 § 7832, A.L. 1961 p. 193, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1992 S.B. 571)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 7687; 1919 § 9126; 1909 § 9951
Effective 7-09-92
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.185 - Charter commission to recommend name and form of government of consolidated municipality — approval by election.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 09 Jul 1992, see footnote
72.185. Charter commission to recommend name and form of government of consolidated municipality — approval by election. —
In the event that the question as voted upon does not contain the name and form of government of the proposed consolidated municipality and the details of transition, such as which officers will serve, which employees shall be retained, what taxes will be collected, what ordinances will be in effect and similar matters for the operation of the consolidated municipality until the new governing body provides otherwise, then the governing body of each affected municipality shall select five commissioners if only two cities, towns or villages are involved or if more than two cities, towns or villages are involved, three or more commissioners from each involved city, town or village, with an equal number being appointed from each city, town or village and not less than ten commissioners being appointed in all, to meet with similar commissioners appointed from the other affected municipalities, the commissioners to study and recommend an appropriate name and form of government of the consolidated municipality and the details of the transition. The commissioners shall recommend the name and form of government of the consolidated municipality and the details of the transition, and, if the question fails to pass by a simple majority in both or all of the same affected municipalities, a new charter commission shall be appointed which shall submit a second recommendation to the voters. If the second recommendation as to name and form of government and the details of the transition shall also fail to pass by a simple majority, the results of the two submissions shall be compared and the question receiving the highest total number of votes in favor thereof shall be considered as having passed by a simple majority.
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(L. 1961 p. 193, A.L. 1963 p. 128, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971, A.L. 1992 S.B. 571)
Effective 7-09-92
(1979) Consolidation ballots shall comply with statutory requirements concerning the form of the ballot and it is not necessary to list the bonded indebtedness of each municipality and how such indebtedness will be retired on the ballot. State of Mo. ex rel. Holly v. Kielhofner (A.), 587 S.W.2d 647.
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.195 - Bonded indebtedness of municipalities to become debt of consolidated municipality — when.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.195. Bonded indebtedness of municipalities to become debt of consolidated municipality — when. —
Unless otherwise provided in the proposition as voted upon, the bonded indebtedness of each municipality at the time of the consolidation which was incurred for the purpose of purchasing, constructing or repairing local improvements or facilities for the residents of the municipality shall continue to be the debt of the taxpayers in the area of the former municipality and a special tax sufficient to retire the indebtedness shall be levied against the property within the area of the former municipality, but the bonded indebtedness of any municipality which was incurred for the purpose of purchasing, constructing or repairing improvements or facilities which are to be used generally by the consolidated municipality shall become the indebtedness of the consolidated municipality. The question as originally submitted shall list each separate bonded indebtedness of the municipalities and shall clearly indicate whether the tax necessary to retire it is to be levied generally or locally.
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(L. 1965 p. 193, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
(1979) Consolidation ballots shall comply with statutory requirements concerning the form of the ballot and it is not necessary to list the bonded indebtedness of each municipality and how such indebtedness will be retired on the ballot. State of Mo. ex rel. Holly v. Kielhofner (A.), 587 S.W.2d 647.
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.200 - Elections governed by laws governing bond issue elections.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1961
72.200. Elections governed by laws governing bond issue elections. —
All elections authorized in sections 72.150 to 72.220 shall be conducted procedurally in all respects as elections to authorize bond issues, whether bond issues are authorized in affected municipalities or not.
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(RSMo 1939 § 7834, A.L. 1961 p. 193)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 7689; 1919 § 9128; 1909 § 9953
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.205 - Three-year limit on elections on petition of citizens.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1961
72.205. Three-year limit on elections on petition of citizens. —
No election may be required to be held as a result of petition by citizens of an affected municipality if the petition is filed within three years of the date of unsuccessful election for consolidation. Where an election is held as a result of action originating within the governing body of the municipality affected, no limitation on the number or frequency of elections applies.
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(L. 1961 p. 193 § 72.165)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.210 - Two or more cities may consolidate — procedure.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.210. Two or more cities may consolidate — procedure. —
When two or more cities in this state, each containing a population of less than five hundred thousand inhabitants, adjoining and contiguous to each other in adjoining counties shall be desirous of being consolidated, it shall be lawful for them to consolidate under one government of the highest class under which either of said cities is organized and take the name of said city in the same manner and subject to the provisions of this chapter prescribed for the consolidation of adjoining cities in the same county and furnishing bonds by those petitioning for such elections, the subdivisions of the consolidated city into wards and the calling of an election for officers in such consolidated city shall be done by the respective county commissions of the counties in which such cities are situated and said elections shall be held simultaneously on the same day.
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(RSMo 1939 § 7835, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
Prior revision: 1929 § 7690
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.220 - Procedure — form of ballot to be used.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.220. Procedure — form of ballot to be used. —
1. Whenever twenty-five percent of the voters of such adjoining cities in adjoining counties shall petition their respective county commissions to order the submission of the question on the consolidation of such cities into one city, said county commissions at their next regular or special term of said commissions shall order the submission of the question to the voters.
2. The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form:
Shall ______ and ______ consolidate?
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(RSMo 1939 § 7836, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
Prior revision: 1929 § 7691
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.300 - Absorption of municipalities authorized (certain third class counties).

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1976
72.300. Absorption of municipalities authorized (certain third class counties). —
Any two or more municipalities which are adjoining or contiguous to each other on two or more sides and which are located in a county of the third class having a population of not less than twenty-five thousand nor more than thirty thousand may provide for the absorption of the corporate existence and the territorial limits of one or more of the municipalities by another such municipality in the manner provided in sections 72.300 to 72.350.
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(L. 1976 H.B. 1017 § 1)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.305 - Resolution to absorb, contents of.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1976
72.305. Resolution to absorb, contents of. —
The governing body of each of the municipalities involved in the proposed absorption shall adopt a resolution which sets forth:
(1) The name of each municipality which is to be absorbed;
(2) The name of the municipality which will absorb the other municipality;
(3) A statement that each municipality being absorbed accepts and will be governed by each and every provision and ordinance of the municipality which is absorbing them;
(4) The proposed effective date of the merger;
(5) A listing of each separate bonded indebtedness of each municipality which will be absorbed and a statement whether the tax necessary to retire it is to be levied locally or generally.
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(L. 1976 H.B. 1017 § 2)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.310 - Election, how ordered.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.310. Election, how ordered. —
Upon adoption of the resolution setting forth the plan of absorption, the governing body of each municipality involved shall order the submission of the question of absorption to the voters of each municipality involved.
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(L. 1976 H.B. 1017 § 3, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.320 - Form of ballot.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.320. Form of ballot. —
1. The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form:
Shall the municipality of ______ absorb the municipality of ______?
2. If a majority of the voters voting on the proposition in each of the municipalities involved vote for the absorption, such absorption shall be consummated as provided in sections 72.300 to 72.350 and not otherwise.
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(L. 1976 H.B. 1017 § 5, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.325 - Procedure for, and effect of absorption.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.325. Procedure for, and effect of absorption. —
Upon approval of the question in each of the municipalities involved, the absorption shall be accomplished on the date contained in the resolutions by the municipality specified in the resolution as the one which is to absorb the other municipalities shall succeed to the corporate existence and the territorial limits of the municipalities being absorbed and the municipalities absorbed shall cease to exist as separate municipal entities. All the property, real, personal and mixed, and all rights of every kind and nature belonging to and vested in each municipality being absorbed shall be transferred to and vested in the municipality which is absorbing the others on the effective date of the resolutions. All debts and liabilities and all other choses in action, and all and every interest of or belonging to each of the municipalities absorbed shall be taken and transferred to and vested in the municipality which is absorbing the others on the effective date of the resolutions. The title to any real estate, or any interest therein, vested in any municipality which is absorbed shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the absorption.
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(L. 1976 H.B. 1017 § 6, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.330 - Liabilities or legal actions, effect on.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1976
72.330. Liabilities or legal actions, effect on. —
The municipality which absorbs the other municipalities shall assume and be responsible and liable for all the liabilities and obligations of each of the municipalities being absorbed. Any claim existing or action or proceeding pending by or against any of the municipalities being absorbed may be prosecuted to judgment as if the absorption had not taken place, or the municipality which has absorbed the other municipality may be substituted in its place. Neither the rights of creditors nor any liens upon the property of any municipality which is absorbed shall be impaired by reason of the absorption.
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(L. 1976 H.B. 1017 § 7)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.335 - Bonded indebtedness, effect on — notice of indebtedness required in resolution and election notice.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.335. Bonded indebtedness, effect on — notice of indebtedness required in resolution and election notice. —
The bonded indebtedness of each municipality being absorbed at the time of the absorption which was incurred for the purpose of purchasing, constructing or repairing local improvements or facilities for the residents in the area of a municipality being absorbed shall continue to be the debt of the taxpayers in the area of the municipality being absorbed and a special tax sufficient to retire the indebtedness shall be levied against the property within the area of the municipality being absorbed, but the bonded indebtedness of any municipality involved in the absorption which was incurred for the purpose of purchasing, constructing or repairing improvements or facilities which are to be used generally by the entire area of the municipality which absorbs the others shall become the indebtedness of the entire area of the absorbing municipality and the area which it absorbed. The question as originally submitted by resolutions and the notice of the election shall list each separate bonded indebtedness of the municipalities involved and shall clearly indicate whether the tax necessary to retire it is to be levied generally or locally.
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(L. 1976 H.B. 1017 § 8, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.340 - Ordinances, effect on — corporate existence to cease, when.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1976
72.340. Ordinances, effect on — corporate existence to cease, when. —
All ordinances including all ordinances adopted at elections by a vote of the people of the municipality which absorbs the other municipalities shall remain in full force and effect and shall govern in the territory of the absorbing municipality and of the municipalities which are absorbed. All ordinances and the corporate existence of the municipalities being absorbed shall cease to exist and be null and void and of no force and effect upon the effective date of the absorption.
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(L. 1976 H.B. 1017 § 9)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.345 - Notice of approval of absorption, who to send and receive.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1978
72.345. Notice of approval of absorption, who to send and receive. —
Upon the approval of the question of absorption by the voters in each of the municipalities involved, the governing body of the municipality which is absorbing the other municipalities shall send notice containing the results of the election and a copy of the resolutions of absorption to the clerk of the county in which the municipalities involved are located and to the secretary of state.
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(L. 1976 H.B. 1017 § 10, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)
2023 Missouri Revised Statutes › Title VII - Cities, Towns and Villages › Chapter 72 - Classification and Consolidation of Cities, Towns and Villages › Section 72.350 - Courts to take judicial notice of absorption.

Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Chapter 72
• Effective - 28 Aug 1976
72.350. Courts to take judicial notice of absorption. —
After the effective date of the absorption, the courts of this state shall take judicial notice of the absorption and of the new corporate boundaries of the municipality which absorbed the other municipalities.
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(L. 1976 H.B. 1017 § 11)