Missouri Revised Statutes Title VII. Cities, Towns and Villages § 72.412. Commission independent of county--budget request, appropriation level--application fee for annexation, use

1. The commission, once established, shall not be a county commission but shall act as an independent commission. The commission may hire such staff and acquire such facilities as it finds necessary to carry out its duties.

2. The commission shall submit a budget requesting the funds necessary to carry out its duties pursuant to sections 72.400 to 72.423. The county shall appropriate and provide a reasonable and necessary level of funding for the commission to carry out its statutory duties. In addition, the county shall upon request provide petitioners with such available information as may be necessary to develop a plan of intent. Funding must provide for at least one professional staff person, one attorney or the equivalent funds for legal services, and clerical support for the professional staff and attorney. All salary levels shall be based upon the personnel system in use for county employees.

3. The commission shall provide by rule for an application fee for municipal annexations in the amount of one dollar per resident of the proposed annexation area to defray the commission's cost of processing and reviewing proposals.