On November 7, 1972, the voters of the Village of St. John elected thirteen (13) members to serve and establish a Charter Commission to prepare a Home Rule Charter for our Village.

The Commission has met weekly since November and has received suggestions and advice from interested citizens, governmental officials and selected consultants and experts on the various forms of government.

Before the Commission made any final decision, it held several public meetings at which time interested citizens were invited to appear and express their views and opinions. It was very gratifying to the Commission to acknowledge and to accept the suggestions of many interested and concerned residents, who recognized that a more representative and responsive form of government was in order but at the same time demonstrated opposition to any tax increase. The Commission has endeavored to formulate this Charter in keeping with these wishes.

Credit must be given to the Board of Trustees of St. John for initiating the Charter election and for their help in providing accurate information concerning Village finances, operation, and work programs.

This proposed Charter for the Village of St. John, together with an introduction, is respectfully presented by the Charter Commission for the consideration of the people of St. John.

On Tuesday, October 9, 1973, at a special election, voters of the City of St. John voted to accept the Charter as proposed by the Charter Commission.

On January 20, 1973, the City Council enacted Ordinance No. 36 (changing the election date to the first Tuesday in April) and Ordinance No. 37 (subjecting the right of a regularly nominated candidate to appoint watchers and challengers to approval of the election authorities).

On February 17, 1975, the Council enacted Ordinance No. 42 (revising the appointment, vacancies, organization, and powers and duties of the City Planning and Zoning Board).

On April 1, 1975, the above three (3) amendments to the Charter were submitted to the voters and were passed.

On December 12, 1975, the Charter Commission was formed by Ordinance No. 73 with an election date by the voters of April, 1976.

On January 19, 1975, Ordinance No. 80 was passed by the Council changing the date of election from April, 1976, to November, 1976.

In October, 1976, the Charter Commission, after ten months of deliberation submitted to the City Clerk thirteen (13) proposed changes to the Charter which they felt were necessary for the betterment of St. John.

These thirteen (13) changes were submitted to the voters of the City on November 2, 1976; six (6) of these amendments were passed by the voters:

Proposition 4 - amending Section 2.16(B) authorizing codification of resolutions and City ordinances yearly and removing restrictions to place them in libraries.

Proposition 6 - amending Section 4.01(B) by requiring all appointments by the City Manager to be made with approval of Council.

Proposition 8 - amending Section 4.03 providing that the legal officer be a licensed member of the Missouri Bar and appointed by the Council.

Proposition 10 - amending Section 5.05(A) (B)(2) changing the Five (5) Year Capital Program to Three (3) Year Capital Program.

Proposition 11 - amending Section 5.09(D) changing authorization of transfer of appropriations from City Manager to City Council.

Proposition 13 - amending Section 6.01(1) and (2) changing the designation of the Director of the Planning Department to the City Manager who shall advise the City Council on all matters affecting the physical development of the City and the Comprehensive Plan and modifications thereof.

Six (6) changes were submitted to the voters of the City on November 4, 1986; two (2) of these amendments were passed by the voters:

Amendment #4 - amending Section 2.06(c) authorizing the Council to fill a Council vacancy by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term by a majority vote of all remaining Council members.

Amendment #6 - amending Section 2.13(c) allowing ordinances duly passed by the Council to become effective immediately from and after their date of adoption or at any later date specified therein.

Two (2) changes were submitted to the voters of the City on February 6, 1990, one (1) of the amendments was passed by the voters:

Amendment #1 - amending Section 2.05(d) to allow the Mayor and/or Councilperson to serve no more than four (4) consecutive terms in office.

On May 19, 2003, Ordinance No. 767 was passed by the Council amending the salary of the Councilmen and Mayor from $25.00 to $150.00 per month in Section 2.03 of this Charter.

In Supp. #9, 8/04, the City included the ward descriptions for the two (2) wards and the map of same which had been inadvertently left out of the initial printing of this Charter.

The preparation of a Home Rule Charter for the Village of St. John was an extremely important task. Your Charter Commission started its work by studying and analyzing the needs of our community and later reviewing and learning about all the latest developments in modern government which would be of special benefit to St. John.

Your Commission has framed a House Rule Charter to set up a structure of government which will adhere to the following basic principles:

1. This Charter provides for efficient and honest government without regard to politics and favoritism.

2. Ultimate authority rests in the hands of the citizens who elect the Council and possess the power of the initiative, the referendum and the power of amendment.

3. Powers of the City are vested in an elected Council of seven (7) members, one of which is the Mayor, who is elected at large.

4. The Council employs a City Manager who holds office at the Council's pleasure. The Council can replace him at any time and for any reason.

5. The City Manager serves as a full-time officer of the City. He appoints and supervises the heads of all operating departments or serves as the head himself, prepares and submits the annual budget, attends all Council meetings without a vote and recommends much of the business of the Council.

6. A Mayor is elected at large and presides at all Council meetings, retains his vote, but has no veto or other powers. He is recognized as ceremonial head of the City Government.

7. Elections of the Council are non-partisan with three (3) Councilmen elected from each of two (2) Wards.

8. There are no elected officials other than the Council.

9. A post-audit of all expenditures is provided by the appointment of a certified public accountant or a firm of professional auditors by the Council.