Municipal Policy Archives - Show-Me Institute https://showmeinstitute.org/topics/municipal-policy/ Where Liberty Comes First Tue, 07 Jul 2026 21:21:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.1 https://showmeinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/show-me-icon-150x150.png Municipal Policy Archives - Show-Me Institute https://showmeinstitute.org/topics/municipal-policy/ 32 32 Testimony: St. Louis County Procurement Rules https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/state-and-local-government/testimony-st-louis-county-procurement-rules/ Tue, 18 Nov 2025 03:37:02 +0000 https://showme.beanstalkweb.com/publication/uncategorized/testimony-st-louis-county-procurement-rules/ On November 18, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the St. Louis County Council regarding procurement rules. Click here to read the full testimony.

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]]> On November 18, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the St. Louis County Council regarding procurement rules. Click here to read the full testimony.

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]]> A Free-Market Guide for Missouri Municipalities, Part Three: Planning and Zoning https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/state-and-local-government/a-free-market-guide-for-missouri-municipalities-part-three-planning-and-zoning/ Sat, 30 Aug 2025 02:04:24 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/a-free-market-guide-for-missouri-municipalities-part-three-planning-and-zoning/ This third installment in the free-market municipality series examines the use of planning and zoning in Missouri cities and suggests reforms to improve how they are implemented and managed. It […]

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]]> This third installment in the free-market municipality series examines the use of planning and zoning in Missouri cities and suggests reforms to improve how they are implemented and managed. It explores several options to expand housing availability while strengthening property rights for Missourians. The report also highlights how the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas have less restrictive zoning than many comparable cities, and the benefits that result from this.

A Free-Market Guide for Missouri Municipalities, Part Three: Planning and Zoning


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]]> The Free-Market Municipality Project https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/state-and-local-government/a-free-market-guide-for-missouri-municipalities/ Tue, 15 Apr 2025 03:30:23 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/the-free-market-municipality-project/ Table of Contents About the Project Part One: Municipal Organization and Structure Part Two: Taxation Part Three: Planning and Zoning Part Four: Parks and Recreation Media About the Project About […]

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Table of Contents

About the Project

Download Part One and Two

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

Download Part One

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 One: Municipal Organization and Structure

Part Two: Taxation

Download Part Two

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.

Part Two: Taxation

Part Three: Planning and Zoning

Download Part Three

This third installment in the free-market municipality series examines the use of planning and zoning in Missouri cities and suggests reforms to improve how they are implemented and managed. It explores several options to expand housing availability while strengthening property rights for Missourians. The report also highlights how the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas have less restrictive zoning than many comparable cities, and the benefits that result from this.

Part Three: Planning and Zoning

Part Four: Parks and Recreation

Download Part Four

This fourth installment in A Free-Market Guide for Missouri Municipalities series examines how cities provide and manage parks and recreational services. It outlines which park assets are best funded through general taxes and which should rely more heavily on user fees, and explains why those distinctions matter. The report also explores opportunities for outsourcing, contracting, and service sharing to reduce costs and improve service quality, while cautioning against taxpayer-funded facilities that unnecessarily compete with the private sector.

Part Four: Parks

Media About the Project

Podcast:

Free Market Policies for Better Local Government with David Stokes

Listen to Episode

The Three-Legged Stool of Taxes with David Stokes

Listen to Episode

A Free-Market Guide to Zoning with David Stokes

Listen to Episode

Related Commentary

“A free-city project for Missouri” by David Stokes in the Columbia Missourian



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]]> A Land Bank for St. Louis County https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/state-and-local-government/a-land-bank-for-st-louis-county/ Thu, 13 Feb 2025 02:53:57 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/a-land-bank-for-st-louis-county/ On February 12, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the St. Louis County Council regarding a land bank program. Click here to read the full […]

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]]> On February 12, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the St. Louis County Council regarding a land bank program. Click here to read the full testimony.

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]]> A City-Manager form of Government for the City of St. Louis https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/state-and-local-government/a-city-manager-form-of-government-for-the-city-of-st-louis/ Wed, 05 Feb 2025 21:49:33 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/a-city-manager-form-of-government-for-the-city-of-st-louis/ On February 6, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen Legislation and Rules Committee regarding the adoption of a city-manager […]

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]]> On February 6, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen Legislation and Rules Committee regarding the adoption of a city-manager form of government. Click here to read the full testimony.

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]]> County Manager for St. Louis County https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/state-and-local-government/county-manager-for-st-louis-county/ Wed, 15 Jan 2025 02:21:03 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/county-manager-for-st-louis-county/ On January 14, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the St. Louis County Council regarding the adoption of a county-manager form of government. Click here […]

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]]> On January 14, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the St. Louis County Council regarding the adoption of a county-manager form of government. Click here to read the full testimony.

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]]> Enactment of a Land Bank Program in St. Louis County https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/municipal-policy/enactment-of-a-land-bank-program-in-st-louis-county/ Wed, 15 Jan 2025 02:16:17 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/enactment-of-a-land-bank-program-in-st-louis-county/ On January 14, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the St. Louis County Council regarding the establishment of a land bank program in St. Louis […]

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]]> On January 14, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the St. Louis County Council regarding the establishment of a land bank program in St. Louis County. Click here to read the full testimony.

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]]> The Minimum Wage in Missouri https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/minimum-wage/the-minimum-wage-in-missouri/ Tue, 15 Oct 2024 01:52:22 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/the-minimum-wage-in-missouri/ This November, Missouri voters will decide on a proposal to raise the state’s minimum wage to $13.75 in 2025 and $15 in 2026, with further annual increases tied to the […]

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]]> This November, Missouri voters will decide on a proposal to raise the state’s minimum wage to $13.75 in 2025 and $15 in 2026, with further annual increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. In his latest policy brief, The Minimum Wage in Missouri, Elias Tsapelas explores the potential economic effects of this proposed minimum wage hike. The brief highlights the unintended consequences that minimum wage increases can have on employment, income growth, and the broader economy, particularly for low-income and entry-level workers.

Download the full policy brief here.

20241003 – Minimum Wage – Tsapelas

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]]> A Free-Market Guide for Missouri Municipalities: Part One: Municipal Organization and Structure https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/state-and-local-government/a-free-market-guide-for-missouri-municipalities-part-one-municipal-organization-and-structure/ Tue, 15 Oct 2024 01:18:22 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/a-free-market-guide-for-missouri-municipalities-part-one-municipal-organization-and-structure/ For Missouri’s cities, towns, and villages to thrive and meet the needs of their residents, local governments should embrace free-market principles to improve service delivery and responsiveness. Many municipalities across […]

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]]> For Missouri’s cities, towns, and villages to thrive and meet the needs of their residents, local governments should embrace free-market principles to improve service delivery and responsiveness. Many municipalities across the state remain tied to outdated models of governance, where inefficient structures lead to higher costs and reduced effectiveness.

In David Stokes’ latest report, A Free-Market Guide for Missouri Municipalities, the first in a series, he outlines how adopting free-market policies can positively transform municipalities across the state. The report discusses specific ways to encourage competition, streamline bureaucracy, and empower residents to choose services that best meet their needs.

This first installment focuses on the structure and organization of municipal governments, with subsequent guides planned to address taxation, transportation, public safety, and more.

Click here to download the full report.

20240923 – Free-market Guide to Cities Part 1- Stokes

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]]> St. Louis County Council Bill 153 https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/state-and-local-government/st-louis-county-council-bill-153/ Tue, 13 Aug 2024 22:03:21 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/st-louis-county-council-bill-153/ On August 13, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the St. Louis County Council Committee of the Whole on whether to adopt a “county manager” […]

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]]> On August 13, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the St. Louis County Council Committee of the Whole on whether to adopt a “county manager” form of government. Click here to read the full testimony, and here to read an addendum sent on August 20.

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]]> House Bill 2553 and Property Tax Reform https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/taxes/house-bill-2553-and-property-tax-reform/ Wed, 03 Apr 2024 02:14:57 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/house-bill-2553-and-property-tax-reform/ On April 3, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the Missouri House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform regarding House Bill 2553. Click here to […]

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]]> On April 3, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the Missouri House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform regarding House Bill 2553. Click here to read the full testimony.

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]]> Missouri Senate Bill 756 and Property Tax Reform https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/taxes/missouri-senate-bill-756-and-property-tax-reform/ Wed, 03 Apr 2024 02:11:58 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/missouri-senate-bill-756-and-property-tax-reform/ On April 3, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the Missouri House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform regarding Senate Bill 756. Click here to […]

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]]> On April 3, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the Missouri House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform regarding Senate Bill 756. Click here to read the full testimony.

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]]> Model Policy: Municipal Reform in Missouri https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/state-and-local-government/model-policy-municipal-reform-in-missouri/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 20:17:28 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/model-policy-municipal-reform-in-missouri/ The post Model Policy: Municipal Reform in Missouri appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

]]> The post Model Policy: Municipal Reform in Missouri appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

]]> Expansion of the Land Bank Program https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/municipal-policy/expansion-of-the-land-bank-program-2-2/ Tue, 13 Feb 2024 04:06:44 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/expansion-of-the-land-bank-program/ On February 13, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the Missouri House Local Government Committee regarding expansion of land banks in Missouri. Click here to read […]

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]]> On February 13, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the Missouri House Local Government Committee regarding expansion of land banks in Missouri. Click here to read the full testimony.

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]]> House Bill 2385 and Source of Income Rules for Rentals https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/municipal-policy/house-bill-2385-and-source-of-income-rules-for-rentals/ Tue, 30 Jan 2024 00:40:53 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/house-bill-2385-and-source-of-income-rules-for-rentals/ On January 30, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the Missouri House of Representatives General Laws Committee regarding House Bill 2385. Click here to read […]

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]]> On January 30, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the Missouri House of Representatives General Laws Committee regarding House Bill 2385. Click here to read the full testimony.

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]]> Public Comments Submitted to the Missouri Office of Broadband Development https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/municipal-policy/public-comments-submitted-to-the-missouri-office-of-broadband-development/ Sat, 16 Dec 2023 03:21:26 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/public-comments-submitted-to-the-missouri-office-of-broadband-development/ On December 15, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits comments to the Missouri Office of Broadband Development regarding the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. To […]

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]]> On December 15, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits comments to the Missouri Office of Broadband Development regarding the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. To read the full text of the comments, click here.

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]]> Kansas City Ordinance 231019 and Housing Vouchers https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/municipal-policy/kansas-city-ordinance-231019-and-housing-vouchers/ Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:35:46 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/kansas-city-ordinance-231019-and-housing-vouchers/ On December 12, Patrick Ishmael and David Stokes submit testimony to the Kansas City Council Special Committee for Legal Review regarding proposed Ordinance 231019 and housing vouchers. Click here to read […]

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]]> On December 12, Patrick Ishmael and David Stokes submit testimony to the Kansas City Council Special Committee for Legal Review regarding proposed Ordinance 231019 and housing vouchers. Click here to read the full testimony.

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]]> Property Tax Rates in the City of St. Louis https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/economy/property-tax-rates-in-the-city-of-st-louis/ Fri, 17 Nov 2023 02:05:57 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/property-tax-rates-in-the-city-of-st-louis/ On November 17, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the City of St. Louis Board of Aldermen regarding a proposed freeze to the real property […]

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]]> On November 17, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submits testimony to the City of St. Louis Board of Aldermen regarding a proposed freeze to the real property taxes of the primary homes of qualifying senior citizens. Click here to read the full testimony.

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]]> The Crystal City Municipal Sewer Proposal https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/municipal-policy/the-crystal-city-municipal-sewer-proposal/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 20:34:31 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/the-crystal-city-municipal-sewer-proposal/ On June 26, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submitted testimony to the Crystal City City Council regarding Crystal City soliciting bids to sell its municipal sewer system. […]

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]]> On June 26, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submitted testimony to the Crystal City City Council regarding Crystal City soliciting bids to sell its municipal sewer system. Click here to read the full testimony.

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]]> The Festus Municipal Sewer System Proposal https://showmeinstitute.org/publication/municipal-policy/the-festus-municipal-sewer-system-proposal/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 20:28:43 +0000 http://showmeinstitute.local/publications/the-festus-municipal-sewer-system-proposal/ On June 26, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submitted testimony to the Festus City Council regarding Festus soliciting bids to sell its municipal sewer system. Click here to […]

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]]> On June 26, Show-Me Institute Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes submitted testimony to the Festus City Council regarding Festus soliciting bids to sell its municipal sewer system. Click here to read the full testimony.

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