Opinion ID: 2274092
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Charter Form of Government

Text: Jackson County argues that section 67.2555 infringed on its right to operate under a charter form of government under article VI, section 18 of the Missouri Constitution. This argument is not supported by the plain language of article VI, section 18(b), which states: The charter shall provide for its amendment, for the form of the county government, the number, kinds, manner of selection, terms of office and salaries of the county officers, and for the exercise of all powers and duties of counties and county officers prescribed by the constitution and laws of the state. Mo. Const. art. VI, sec. 18(b) (emphasis added). This constitutional provision clearly envisions the laws of the state prescribing the powers and duties of charter county officers. Further, the only limitation on the General Assembly in article VI, section 18 appears in section 18(e), which prohibits the General Assembly from enacting laws that provide for any other office or employee of the county or fix the salary of any of its officers or employees. Section 67.2555 neither provides for another office or employee of Jackson County nor does it fix the salary of any Jackson County officer or employee. Rather, it prescribes that the county executive must competitively bid certain expenditures. Section 67.2555 is permitted by article VI, section 18(b). [3]