Section 15.21 Conflicts and Other Problems Among Jurisdictions

• Library: Local Government Deskbook (2017 Ed.)

K. (§15.21) Conflicts and Other Problems Among Jurisdictions

With the ruling in State ex inf. Hannah ex rel. Christ v. City of St. Charles, 676 S.W.2d 508 (Mo. banc 1984), constitutional charter cities are no longer required to amend their charters to annex land. The cases discussing the conflict between constitutional charter cities and the provisions of § 71.015, RSMo 2016, are no longer relevant.

The City of St. James had exercised jurisdiction over a tract of land for more than 25 years with the acquiescence of its inhabitants. That tract became a de facto part of the City notwithstanding the lack of evidence that the City had complied with the statutory procedures. Cent. Mo. Oil Co. v. City of St. James, 111 S.W.2d 215 (Mo. App. S.D. 1937).

In Kansas City v. Querry, 511 S.W.2d 790 (Mo. 1974), Kansas City attempted to annex an area ceded to the United States. Despite the relinquishment of jurisdiction (under which the state had reserved to itself the right of taxation), the Court found the annexation to be valid.

Before City of Town & Country v. St. Louis County, 657 S.W.2d 598 (Mo. banc 1983), the review of the reasonableness of a municipality’s annexation included the interest of the county...