Mo. Rev. Stat. § 91.150
Whenever a proposition shall be submitted and adopted by a majority of the voters of the city voting on the proposition, then the waterworks system shall be conveyed to the city by the person, firm or corporation owning the same, which deed shall convey to the city a valid title to the property except that such conveyance shall be subject to a vendor's lien for the purchase price of the plant, which shall be evidenced by bonds herein provided for, which shall be issued and delivered to the person, firm or corporation selling the property, in payment therefor. And the city, for the purpose of paying for the waterworks plant, shall issue bonds to an amount equal to the agreed purchase price, which shall be known as "the waterworks bonds" and which shall constitute a first lien on the waterworks plant so acquired, and all the property connected therewith or thereafter acquired constituting a part of the plant, including the income arising therefrom, it being the intent of sections 91.090 to 91.300, however, that there is to be no liability on the part of the city to pay the amount evidenced by the bonds out of any other fund than the one herein specified, and the bonds shall not constitute a liability of the city for which the general revenues thereof can be appropriated, or any part thereof, except to pay a reasonable fire hydrant rental for such hydrants as may be used by the city for the purpose of fire protection, and washing and flushing streets, crossings, alleys and sewers, as herein provided.
§ 91.150, RSMo