Missouri Revised Statutes Title XVII. Agriculture and Animals § 278.240. District board of supervisors to govern watershed district, combined boards to govern, when--trustees of watershed district, how elected, terms--powers of directors--mileage reimbursement authorized

1. The board of soil and water conservation district supervisors of the soil and water conservation district in which the watershed district is formed shall act in an advisory capacity to the watershed district board. When a watershed district lies in more than one soil and water conservation district, the combined boards of soil and water conservation district supervisors shall act in an advisory capacity to the watershed district board.

2. Five landowners within the watershed district shall be elected to serve as trustees of the watershed district. The trustees shall be elected by a vote of landowners participating in the referendum for the establishment of the watershed district, but the date of the election shall not fall upon the date of any regular political election held in the county. The ballot submitting the proposition to form the watershed district shall be so worded as to clearly state that a tax, not to exceed forty cents on one hundred dollars valuation of all real estate within the watershed district, may be authorized if the watershed district is formed. In watershed districts formed after September 28, 1977, two trustees shall be elected for a term of six years, two shall be elected for a term of four years, and one shall be elected for a term of two years. Their successors shall be elected for terms of six years. In any district in existence on September 28, 1977, the three trustees holding office shall continue as trustees. At the next scheduled election within the watershed district, two additional trustees shall be elected. One of the additional trustees shall be elected for a term of four years and one shall be elected for a term of six years. Each successor shall be elected for a term of six years. In case of the death, loss of landowner standing within the watershed district, or resignation from office of any elected watershed district trustee, his or her successor to the unexpired term shall be appointed by the trustees of that watershed district. A trustee may succeed himself or herself by reelection in this office. The trustees shall elect one of their members as chairman and one of their members as secretary to serve for terms of two years.

3. The trustees shall act in all matters pertaining to the watershed district, except those concerning formation, consolidation, expansion or disestablishment of the watershed district. It shall be the responsibility of the secretary of the trustees to see that each soil and water district board included in the watershed district is provided a copy of the minutes of each meeting held by the trustees. The trustees shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred relating to the business of the watershed district.