Municipal Laws in Missouri.

Missouri cities operate as statutory cities of the third (5,000+ population) or fourth class, or under constitutional charters (home rule, cities 5,000+ may adopt).

Requires public meetings to be open with advance notice and public records to be disclosed. Closed sessions permitted for statutorily enumerated purposes (litigation, real estate, personnel). 3-business-day response for records requests. Attorney fees and penalties for violations.

Missouri waives sovereign immunity only for (1) motor-vehicle negligence by public employees and (2) dangerous conditions of public property. Liability capped at $300,000 per claimant / $2,000,000 per occurrence.

Constitutional limit on state tax increases without voter approval, and limit on local governments increasing taxes or fees without voter approval.