The St. Louis County Council voted unanimously more than a year ago to oppose a statewide vote on such a proposal. Mayors across Missouri denounced what they saw as a run around local voters. And members of the state Legislature panned the idea this week, with two even filing legislation against it.

Municipal League leaders said Wednesday that it was time for them to act.

“We felt it was important to have this discussion transparently, to have it locally, and for the St. Louis region to be in charge of its own destiny,” said Ferguson Mayor and Municipal League board member James Knowles III.

If the league’s proposal passes, leaders will work with others in the community to gather signatures to compel Krewson and Stenger to appoint 18 of the 19-member special board. Gov. Mike Parson would appoint the final member. The effort would need 3 percent of those who voted in each jurisdiction in the last gubernatorial election.