Mo. Rev. Stat. ch. 51

Mo. Rev. Stat. ch. 51
in effect

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.010 Office of county clerk created.

51.010. Office of county clerk created. — In each county of this state there shall be an office of clerk of the county commission to be styled "The Office of the Clerk of the County Commission". (L. 1945 p. 653 § 1)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.020 Election - term of office - commissioned by governor.

51.020. Election — term of office — commissioned by governor. — At the general election in the year 1946, and every four years thereafter, the voters of the county at large in each county in this state shall elect a clerk of the county commission, who shall be commissioned by the governor and who shall hold his office for a term of four years and until his successor is duly elected or appointed and qualified. Each clerk of the county commission shall enter upon the duties of his office on the first day of January next after his election. (L. 1945 p. 653 § 2, A.L. 1959 S.B. 63, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.030 Certificate of election recorded.

51.030. Certificate of election recorded. — The certificate of election with the oath or affirmation of office of such clerk endorsed thereon, shall be recorded in the office of the recorder of the county before any other duty of his office is discharged. (RSMo 1939 § 13288, A.L. 1945 p. 653 § 5, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11669; 1919 § 2115; 1909 § 2678

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.040 Certificate of election to be deposited with secretary of state.

51.040. Certificate of election to be deposited with secretary of state. — The certificate of election of the clerk of the county commission, signed by the presiding commissioner of the county commission, or by the chairman of the board, or boards, of election commissioners, as the case may be, and the bond of the clerk of the county commission, with the approval of the commission or commissioners endorsed thereon, shall be deposited in the office of the secretary of state. (RSMo 1939 § 13287, A.L. 1945 p. 653 § 6) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11668; 1919 § 2114; 1909 § 2677

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.050 Qualifications.

51.050. Qualifications. — No person shall be elected or appointed clerk of the county commission unless such person be a citizen of the United States, over the age of twenty-one years, and shall have resided within the state one whole year, and within the county for which the person is elected one year just prior to such person's election; and every clerk shall after the election continue to reside within the county for which such person is clerk. (RSMo 1939 § 13269, A.L. 1945 p. 653 § 3, A.L. 2011 H.B. 186) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11650; 1919 § 2096; 1909 § 2661

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.060 Oath of office.

51.060. Oath of office. — Before taking office every clerk of the county commission shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation that he will support the Constitution of the United States and of the state of Missouri, and demean himself faithfully in office. (L. 1945 p. 653 § 7)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.070 Bond.

51.070. Bond. — Every clerk of the county commission, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall enter into bond, payable to the state of Missouri, with good and sufficient sureties, who are residents of the county for which the clerk is elected or appointed, or with a surety company as provided by the laws of this state. The bond shall be for a sum not less than five thousand dollars, the amount to be fixed and the bond to be approved by the county commission of which he is clerk, or by a majority of the commissioners of the commission. The bond shall be conditioned that he will faithfully perform the duties of his office, and pay over all moneys which come to his hands by virtue of his office, and that he, his executors or administrators will deliver to his successor, safe and undefaced, all books, records, papers, seals, apparatus and furniture belonging to his office. (RSMo 1939 § 13285, A.L. 1945 p. 653 § 8, A.L. 1959 S.B. 63) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11666; 1919 § 2112; 1909 § 2675 CROSS REFERENCE: Official bonds of county officers, generally, Chap. 107

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.080 Commission may require new bond - penalty for failure to give such bond.

51.080. Commission may require new bond — penalty for failure to give such bond. — If, at any time, the county commission is satisfied that any surety on the official bond of the clerk of the commission is a nonresident of the county in which the clerk is acting, is deceased or insolvent, or for any other reason is insufficient, or in danger of becoming insufficient, or that the penalty of the bond of the clerk is not sufficiently large, it shall cause the clerk to enter into a new bond with sufficient security, which shall be deposited in the office of the secretary of state. If any clerk fails to give the bond within thirty days after he is required by the commission to do so, his office shall be vacated and a successor appointed. (RSMo 1939 § 13289, A.L. 1945 p. 653 § 9, A.L. 1959 S.B. 63) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11670; 1919 § 2116; 1909 § 2679

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.090 Vacancy filled by governor.

51.090. Vacancy filled by governor. — When any vacancy shall occur in the office of clerk of the county commission by death, resignation, removal, refusal to act, or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the governor to fill such vacancy by appointing some eligible person to said office, who shall discharge the duties thereof until the next general election, at which time a clerk shall be chosen for the remainder of the term, who shall hold his office until his successor is duly elected or appointed and qualified, unless sooner removed. (RSMo 1939 § 13284, A.L. 1945 p. 653 § 4) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11665; 1919 § 2111; 1909 § 2674

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.100 Location of office.

51.100. Location of office. — Each clerk of the county commission shall keep his office at such place or places as the county commission shall direct, not more than two hundred yards from the courthouse or permanent meeting place of the county commission of which he is clerk, and there shall keep the records, papers, seal and property of his office and transact his official business. (RSMo 1939 § 13293, A.L. 1945 p. 653 § 24, A.L. 1986 H.B. 1554 Revision) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11674; 1919 § 2120; 1909 § 2683

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.110 Branch clerk's office, where.

51.110. Branch clerk's office, where. — In all counties in this state now containing or that may hereafter contain seventy-five thousand inhabitants or more, and where county commissions are now or may hereafter be held at more places than one, and at places other than the county seat, said commissions shall establish a branch county clerk's office at such place, where all the records and proceedings at such place shall be safely kept and preserved, and all acts done and performed at such place shall have the same force and effect as if done at the county seat. (RSMo 1939 § 2486) Prior revisions: 1929 § 2084; 1919 § 2580; 1909 § 4087

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.120 Duties.

51.120. Duties. — Every clerk of a county commission shall keep an accurate record of the orders, rules, and proceedings of the county commission, and shall make a complete alphabetical index thereto; issue and attest all process, when required by law, and affix the seal of his office thereto; keep an accurate account of all moneys coming into his hands on account of fees, costs or otherwise, and punctually pay over the same to the persons entitled thereto; provided, that when the clerk of the circuit court of his county is a party, plaintiff or defendant, to a suit or action, the writ of summons and all other process relating thereto shall be issued by the clerk of the county commission, the reason therefor being noted on said process, and said clerk of the county commission shall, on the trial of such cause, act as temporary clerk of the circuit court and otherwise perform all the duties of the clerk of the circuit court. (RSMo 1939 § 13295, A.L. 1945 p. 653 § 10) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11676; 1919 § 2122; 1909 § 2685

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.121 County clerk to inspect precincts, report required, when required.

51.121. County clerk to inspect precincts, report required, when required. — In any county of the first class not having a charter form of government, and all counties of the second, third or fourth class, the county clerk shall annually, on or before May tenth, inspect all voting precincts in the county, review the described boundary lines, and survey the number of voters in each precinct measured by the vote at the last preceding presidential election, and within thirty days after the conclusion of such inspection, present a signed report to the county commission and the county chairman of the two political parties receiving the largest number of votes in the last presidential election, detailing changes, alterations, and additions which appear to be necessary for the convenience of the voters. (L. 1969 S.B. 13 § 1, A.L. 1973 H.B. 667, A.L. 1975 H.B. 945)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.122 Clerk to assist in preparation of gas tax refund forms, when - report on ...

51.122. Clerk to assist in preparation of gas tax refund forms, when — report on federal funds received, required. — The clerk of the county commission of each county of the second, third or fourth class shall assist in the preparation of gas tax refund forms when requested by residents of the county, and shall file an annual report with the county commission on or before December thirty-first of each year of all federal revenue funds received from any federal agency of the United States during such year and file a copy of any other reports with the county commission required to be filed with any federal agency necessary for the county or county commission to receive any federal revenue sharing funds, or any other federal funds from the United States government or any agency thereof; provided, however, that sections 51.122 and 51.305 shall not apply to any county of the second class which has an assessed valuation in excess of three hundred million dollars on August 13, 1974. (L. 1974 H.B. 899 § 1)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.130 To keep official commission reports.

51.130. To keep official commission reports. — It shall be the duty of the clerk of the county commission to keep in his office a catalogue of all reports of the supreme court and the court of appeals belonging to his office, and he shall deliver or account to his successor in office for all such law reports; and upon failure to so deliver the same, the prosecuting attorney of the county shall institute a suit to the use of the county to which the reports belong against the clerk, or on the bond of the clerk, and in case of recovery in such suit, recovery shall be for three times the value of the reports that the clerk shall have failed to deliver. (RSMo 1939 § 2098, A.L. 1945 p. 653 § 11, A.L. 1973 S.B. 263) Prior revisions: 1929 § 1936; 1919 § 2434; 1909 § 3954

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.135 County clerk to provide list of local option laws in effect in county.

51.135. County clerk to provide list of local option laws in effect in county. — 1. In addition to his other duties provided by law, the clerk of each county commission in this state shall provide the revisor of statutes with a complete list setting forth each Missouri statute, commonly known as a local option law, which is in effect in his county by reason of its provisions having been adopted by a vote of the people of that county. 2. The original list shall be mailed by certified mail to the revisor of statutes before July 1, 1966, and thereafter the clerk of the county commission of each county shall promptly notify the revisor by certified mail upon adoption by a vote of the people of his county of the provisions of any such statute. (L. 1965 p. 161 § 1)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.140 May administer oaths and affirmations.

51.140. May administer oaths and affirmations. — The clerk of the county commission shall have power and is authorized to administer oaths and affirmations in all matters and proceedings incident to the exercise of the powers and duties of his office, and incident to the powers and proceedings of the county commission of which he is clerk; and shall have power and authority to administer oaths and affirmations, and to take and certify depositions within the respective counties in all cases where oaths or affirmations are required by law to be administered. And, when required, he shall affix thereto his jurat and the seal of the county commission of which he is clerk. (RSMo 1939 § 1884, A.L. 1945 p. 653 § 12) Prior revisions: 1929 § 1720; 1919 § 5407; 1909 § 6351

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.150 County clerk to keep accounts and issue warrants - file salary and fee ...

51.150. County clerk to keep accounts and issue warrants — file salary and fee lists — penalty for failure. — 1. It shall be the duty of the clerk of the county commission: (1) To keep regular accounts between the treasurer and the county, charging him therein with all moneys paid into the treasury, and crediting him with the amount he may have disbursed between the periods of his respective settlements with the commission; (2) To keep just accounts between the county and all persons, bodies politic and corporate, chargeable with moneys payable into the county treasury, or that may become entitled to receive moneys therefrom; (3) To file and preserve in his office all accounts, vouchers and other papers pertaining to the settlement of any account to which the county shall be a party, copies whereof, certified under the hand and seal of the clerk, shall be admitted in evidence in all courts of law and elsewhere; (4) To issue warrants on the treasury for all moneys ordered to be paid by the commission, keep an abstract thereof, present it to the county commission at every regular term, balance and exhibit the accounts kept by him as often as required by the commission, and keep his books and papers at all times ready for the inspection of the commission, or any commissioner thereof; (5) To compile and keep a list of all salaries and nonaccountable fees received by each elected county official by virtue of his office for each calendar year. The source of each fee shall be itemized, the amount of mileage allowance received shall be reported, and the total fees less expenses shall be shown. Each elected official shall certify and give all of the aforesaid information under oath by affidavit on his office to the clerk of the county commission on or before February fifteenth of each year for the preceding calendar year and any official who fails to do so shall not receive any remuneration for his services until he complies with this provision; the county commission shall not order and the county clerk shall not issue a warrant for disbursement of any money to any elected county official who has not filed his report as provided in this section; (6) To file a certified list of all salaries and nonaccountable fees received by each elected county official by virtue of his office for the preceding calendar year before March first with the secretary of state and any county clerk who fails to do so shall not receive any remuneration for his services until he complies with this subdivision. 2. The secretary of state shall prepare and distribute to each county clerk of the state not later than January fifteenth of each year a standardized form, with instructions, on which each county official shall file his report. Failure to receive such forms shall not excuse any county official from filing the information as required by this section. (RSMo 1939 § 13823, A.L. 1963 p. 109, A.L. 1965 p. 162) Prior revisions: 1929 § 12161; 1919 § 9559; 1909 § 3780 CROSS REFERENCE: County clerk ex officio budget officer, when, 50.530

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.153 County clerk to assist assessor (second class counties).

51.153. County clerk to assist assessor (second class counties). — The county clerk in counties of the second class shall assist the county assessor in abstracting information on personal property assessment lists as to the number of each and every item of personal tangible property for certification to the county commission on or before June first of each year. (L. 1965 p. 150 § 2)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.163 Report of county clerk to state board of education.

51.163. Report of county clerk to state board of education. — Each county clerk, on or before the thirtieth day of June, annually, shall make out and transmit to the state board of education, at Jefferson City, a report of school districts in his county made by him according to the form prescribed by the state board of education; such report to include the amount of income of the school funds of the county, the amount realized from taxes collected therein, the amount of replacement tax under Section 6(2) of Article X of the Constitution of Missouri and the assessed valuation of each district within the county by the categories specified in section 137.115 . (L. 1963 p. 200 § 15-1, A.L. 1977 H.B. 130, A.L. 1986 S.B. 707) (Source: RSMo 1959 § 165.090) Effective 6-27-86

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.165 Social Security contributions and records - duties.

51.165. Social Security contributions and records — duties. — In all counties of class three and four which shall enter into an agreement with the state agency to place county employees under the Federal Social Security Act in accordance with the provisions of sections 105.300 to 105.430 , it shall be the duty of the county clerk to keep necessary records, collect contributions of county employees, and do all other administrative acts required by the agreement or by ruling of the federal or state agency in order to carry out the purposes of the aforesaid law. (L. 1951 p. 405 § 51.415 , A.L. 1959 S.B. 63, A.L. 2018 S.B. 975 & 1024 Revision)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.280 County clerks, duties, compensation (certain first class counties).

51.280. County clerks, duties, compensation (certain first class counties). — In all first class counties not having a charter form of government, the clerk of the county commission shall prepare and issue all county licenses established by law, and collect the county fees therefor and remit the same to the county treasury, and he shall receive and retain no fees, compensation or emoluments of whatever nature for the performance of any official duty other than the compensation prescribed by section 51.281 . (L. 1945 p. 574 §§ 2, 3, A. 1949 H.C.S. H.B. 2008, 2009, A.L. 1963 p. 110, A.L. 1971 H.B. 484, A.L. 1973 H.B. 667, A.L. 1978 S.B. 775, A.L. 1987 S.B. 65, et al.) Effective 1-01-88

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.281 Compensation of certain county clerks - training program, attendance ...

51.281. Compensation of certain county clerks — training program, attendance required, when, expenses, compensation — certain fees may be retained (second, third and fourth class counties). — 1. The county clerk in any county, other than in a first classification county, shall receive an annual salary computed as set forth in the following schedule. The assessed valuation factor shall be the amount thereof as shown for the year next preceding the computation. The provisions of this section shall not permit or require a reduction in the amount of compensation being paid for the office of clerk on January 1, 1997. 2. Two thousand dollars of the salary authorized in this section shall be payable to the clerk only if the clerk has completed at least twenty hours of classroom instruction each calendar year relating to the operations of the clerk's office when approved by a professional association of the county clerks of Missouri unless exempted from the training by the professional association. The professional association approving the program shall provide a certificate of completion to each clerk who completes the training program and shall send a list of certified clerks to the treasurer of each county. Expenses incurred for attending the training session may be reimbursed to the county clerk in the same manner as other expenses as may be appropriated for that purpose. 3. The county clerk may retain any fees to which he is entitled for services performed in the issuance of fish and game licenses or permits. 4. The county clerk in any county, other than a first classification charter county or a first classification county not having a charter form of government and not containing any part of a city with a population of three hundred thousand or more, shall not, except upon two-thirds vote of all the members of the salary commission, receive an annual compensation in an amount less than the total compensation being received for the office of county clerk in the particular county for services rendered or performed on the date the salary commission votes. (L. 1987 S.B. 65, et al. § 1, A.L. 1988 S.B. 431, A.L. 1997 S.B. 11) CROSS REFERENCE: Compensation in certain first classification counties, 50.343

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.282 Compensation of certain county clerks - training program, attendance ...

51.282. Compensation of certain county clerks — training program, attendance required, when, expenses, compensation — certain fees may be retained (Clay County). — 1. The county clerk in any county of the first class not having a charter form of government and which contains a portion of a city with a population of three hundred thousand or more shall receive an annual salary computed on an assessed valuation basis as set forth in the following schedule. Except as provided in section 50.333 , the amount provided by this section shall be the total compensation for all services performed by such clerk. The assessed valuation factor shall be the amount thereof as shown for the year next preceding the computation. The provisions of this section shall not permit or require a reduction in the amount of compensation received by any person holding the office of clerk on January 1, 1988. 2. Two thousand dollars of the salary authorized in this section shall be payable to the clerk only if he has completed at least twenty hours of classroom instruction each calendar year relating to the operations of the clerk's office when approved by a professional association of the county clerks of Missouri unless exempted from the training by the professional association. The professional association approving the program shall provide a certificate of completion to each clerk who completes the training program and shall send a list of certified clerks to the treasurer of each county. Expenses incurred for attending the training session may be reimbursed to the county clerk in the same manner as other expenses as may be appropriated for that purpose. 3. The salary provided in this section shall be the total compensation received by the county clerk, except that he may retain any fees to which he is entitled for services performed in the issuance of fish and game licenses or permits. (L. 1988 S.B. 431) Effective 5-13-88 CROSS REFERENCE: Compensation in certain first classification counties, 50.343

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.286 Deputies and assistants, compensation (third class counties).

51.286. Deputies and assistants, compensation (third class counties). — 1. The clerk of the county commission in each county of the third class is entitled to employ deputies and assistants and for the deputies and assistants, is allowed not less than the amount allowed in 1994. 2. For the purpose of computing the various amounts under the provisions of subsection 1 of this section, the salary of the clerk of the county commission is the total compensation provided in section 51.281 . (L. 1988 S.B. 431 § 1, A.L. 1994 H.B. 1528)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.390 County clerk to collect fees (third and fourth class counties).

51.390. County clerk to collect fees (third and fourth class counties). — The clerk of the county commission, in counties of the third and fourth classes, shall charge and collect in all cases every fee accruing to his office by law, except such fees as are chargeable to the county. (RSMo 1939 § 13433, A.L. 1945 p. 1524 § 7, A.L. 1945 p. 1544 § 7, A. 1949 H.C.S. H.B. 2008, 2009) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11811; 1919 § 11019; 1909 § 10722

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.410 Additional fees.

51.410. Additional fees. — The county clerk shall charge a fee of three dollars for each certificate, bond, filing, petition, license, order, recording, or other document, writing, or transaction handled in accordance with the duties of the office of county clerk. The clerk shall pay into the treasury of the county any and all fees collected under the provisions of this section. (RSMo 1939 § 13403, A.L. 1979 H.B. 148) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11781; 1919 § 10990; 1909 § 10694

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.430 Deputies, number, compensation (certain first class counties).

51.430. Deputies, number, compensation (certain first class counties). — The clerk of the county commission of all counties of the first class not having a charter form of government shall appoint such assistants, clerks and deputies as he deems necessary for the proper discharge of the duties of his office and may set their compensation within the limits of the allocations made for that purpose by the county commission. The compensation for the assistant clerks and deputies shall be paid in equal installments out of the county treasury in the same manner as other county employees are paid. (RSMo 1939 § 13466, A.L. 1945 p. 1566 § 13135, A.L. 1947 V. I p. 520, A. 1949 H.C.S. H.B. 2008, 2009, A.L. 1951 p. 388 A.L. 1955 p. 354, A.L. 1961 p. 267, A.L. 1971 H.B. 484, A.L. 1973 H.B. 667) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11834; 1919 § 11040; 1909 § 10738

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.440 Deputies - compensation (second class counties).

51.440. Deputies — compensation (second class counties). — The clerk of the county commission, in counties of the second class, shall be entitled to have and to appoint such a number of deputies and assistants, as the county clerk, with the approval of the county commission, shall find necessary for the prompt and proper discharge of the duties of his office, and the deputies and assistants, so appointed, shall receive such salaries as may be fixed by the county clerk, with the approval of the county commission. The salaries of all such deputies and assistants shall be paid by the county in the same manner as the salary of the county clerk is paid. (L. 1945 p. 1559 § 2)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 51.460 Deputies, assistants - compensation (fourth class counties).

51.460. Deputies, assistants — compensation (fourth class counties). — The clerk of the county commission in each county of the fourth class is entitled to employ deputies and assistants and, for the deputies and assistants, shall receive not less than three thousand eight hundred dollars a year. (RSMo 1939 § 13433, A.L. 1945 p. 1524 § 5, A.L. 1947 V. I p. 485, A.L. 1959 S.B. 63, A.L. 1965 p. 163, A.L. 1971 S.B. 171, A.L. 1976 H.B. 1138, A.L. 1977 H.B. 101) Prior revisions: 1929 § 11811; 1919 § 11019; 1909 § 10722 Effective 1-01-78
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