Efforts to make such a proposal reality have languished for decades.

Kelly said he was hopeful that the league’s members would approve the recommendation at the league’s regular business meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

The three-page proposal says the process would need to address “taxes, County Council representation, court jurisdiction and recorder of deed services to mention a few.” Such a move would also probably bring an end to St. Louis offices that have functions similar to county offices but for city residents.

“We also believe this sends a message to people looking at St. Louis that we are one region as opposed to being the city and the county,” Kelly said.

The proposal also states that it “is not our intention or desire to provide a pathway or (entry) into a larger conversation of merger between the city and county, nor forced consolidation of municipalities within the county.”

The league has been the primary funder of CitiesStrong, a nonprofit that advocates for collaboration among the county, city and 90 county municipalities. CitiesStrong has tried to rebuff efforts to consolidate municipalities in the county, favoring a balance of “regional creative collaboration with local decision-making and pride in our hometowns.”