Section 1.3 Authority to Provide for City Officers

• Library: Local Government Deskbook (2017 Ed.)

1. (§1.3) Authority to Provide for City Officers

Charter cities’ broadest powers exist with respect to their officers and employees. In addition to the authorization of article VI, § 19(a), of the Missouri Constitution allowing charter cities to exercise all powers that the General Assembly could confer, article VI, § 22, of the Missouri Constitution states that “[n]o law shall be enacted creating or fixing the powers, duties or compensation of any municipal office or employment” for charter cities. This provision first appeared in the 1945 Constitution and has given cities freedom from legislative control in these areas. “The Missouri courts have held in a number of cases either...