About the Project

How should cities, towns, and villages in Missouri organize, fund, and operate themselves to better serve residents and taxpayers? What policies lead to more effective service delivery, improved accountability, and greater economic growth?

A Free-Market Guide for Missouri Municipalities is a multi-part series by David Stokes, director of municipal policy at the Show-Me Institute, that answers these questions through a careful application of free market–oriented policies.

This series is designed to serve as a practical resource for municipal officials, taxpayer advocates, and engaged citizens. Each part incorporates historical context, political realities, and academic research relevant to local governance in Missouri.

Part One: Municipal Organization and Structure

This installment examines how Missouri municipalities are structured—from villages with boards of trustees to charter cities with professional managers—and how those structures influence government performance. It addresses city managers vs. city administrators, the size and selection of governing bodies, oversight and accountability practices, and the implications of civil service rules and bureaucracy. Drawing on public choice theory and real-world Missouri examples, the report evaluates how form impacts function in local government.

Part Two: Taxation

This report analyzes the sources of municipal revenue in Missouri and evaluates the state’s heavy reliance on sales and income taxes. It makes the case for rebalancing local finance by placing more emphasis on property taxes and user fees, and less on volatile and distortionary sources. Topics include land taxes, special taxing districts, user fees, local gas taxes, and the economic consequences of tax subsidies like TIF. The report offers practical recommendations to make local tax systems more stable, transparent, and conducive to long-term prosperity.

Media About the Project

Podcast: Free Market Policies for Better Local Government with David Stokes