Mo. Rev. Stat. § 49.278: Governing body may provide certain benefits for county employees, procedure.

1. The county governing body in all counties may contribute to the cost of a plan, including a plan underwritten by insurance, for furnishing all or a part of hospitalization or medical expenses, life insurance, or similar benefits for elected officials and their employees, and to appropriate and utilize its revenues and other available funds for these purposes.

2. No contract shall be entered into by the county to purchase any insurance policy or policies pursuant to the terms of this section unless such contract shall have been submitted to competitive bidding and such contract be awarded to the lowest and best bidder.

3. The governing authority of all counties may provide, in addition to any other programs or plans, workers' compensation, health insurance, life insurance, and retirement plans for all county employees.