Mo. Rev. Stat. § 257.120
Upon a vote approving the establishment of the district, the court shall order payment of the official costs of the proceedings, including the costs of election. The costs shall be paid out of the contingent funds of the county in which the petition is pending, if the county commission of that county has been a petitioner, otherwise the costs shall be defrayed from sums donated or advanced by the petitioners. In case the district is established, any costs advanced shall be repaid to the county or petitioners out of the first funds received from annual levies as provided for such purpose in this chapter. If the district is not organized or established, then the cost shall be collected from the county treasurer on voucher of the county commission, the petitioners or their bondsmen.
§ 257.120, RSMo