Missouri Revised Statutes Title X. Taxation and Revenue § 141.310. Exclusive power to collect taxes--expenses of suit

1. The exclusive power to collect such tax bills of any tax bill owner or holder or taxing authority under the terms and conditions of sections 141.210 to 141.810 is hereby given to the collector after suit has been filed or received by the collector; provided, however, that if in any year the collector shall fail to institute suit against any parcel of real estate, as provided herein, then any taxing authority or the holder of any tax bill may institute a suit under sections 141.210 to 141.810 to foreclose any delinquent tax lien or liens upon such real estate, such suit to be brought in the name of the collector at the relation of the taxing authority or tax bill owner who institutes the suit, and shall have the same effect and be subject to the same procedure as suits brought by the collector, except that the person bringing such suit shall deliver a copy of the petition to the collector ten days prior to filing same.

2. The expenses of all suits so brought including court costs, publication costs, attorneys' fees and other expenses shall be advanced by the person bringing such suit, except that if in any such suit so brought there are tax liens upon the same parcels of  1 real estate described therein delinquent two years or more for general state, county and school purposes, such costs and expenses shall be advanced by the collector as if the collector had brought the suit.