Mo. Rev. Stat. § 79.020

79.020. City limits may be altered, how. — The mayor and board of aldermen of such city, whether the same shall have been incorporated before becoming a city of the fourth class or not, with the consent of a majority of the voters of such city voting on the question, shall have power to extend the limits of the city over territory adjacent thereto, and to diminish the limits of the city by excluding territory therefrom, and shall, in every case, have power, with the consent of the voters as aforesaid, to extend or diminish the city limits in such manner as in their judgment and discretion may redound to the benefit of the city.

(RSMo 1939 § 7097, A. 1949 H.B. 2029, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971) Prior revisions: 1929 § 6947; 1919 § 8398; 1909 § 9300 (1973) The term adjacent as used in this section clearly means that territory to be annexed must be either abutting and touching the annexing municipality or not have territory of the same kind intervening between it and the annexing municipality. City of St. Ann. v. Spanos (A.), 490 S.W.2d 563. (1974) Parcels to be annexed must be adjacent to city but need not be adjacent to each other. City of St. Peters v. Kodner Development Corp. (A.), 509 S.W.2d 788.