Mo. Rev. Stat. § 91.200

As soon as the proposition to erect the waterworks system has been ratified by a majority of the voters of the city voting on the proposition as aforesaid, the city council shall appoint some suitable person to superintend the erection thereof, and who shall receive reasonable compensation therefor, whose compensation shall be paid by the contractor into the treasury of the city before the work is commenced, and paid to the superintendent as the work progresses, as may be directed by the council, and the amount so deposited by the contractor shall be included by him in the contract price for the work for which bonds shall be issued in payment.