If this thread already exists, feel free to delete. Felt odd that we had a city Budget & Finance but not the county.
Nonprofit hired by St. Louis County misspent money, ‘fraudulently’ fudged records, audit says
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... -top-story
——
I started my career as a grant administrator for St. Louis County, lasted 1 year during the Stenger administration. I put in a complaint/notice to the state after my time. I don’t believe this is a result of my complaint.
This isn’t new and FWCA isn’t the biggest offender. Some of StLs favorite non-profits are awarded millions annually and falsely report outcomes. My time at St. Louis County completely shattered my perception of non-profits with good intentions and the community development field in general. I’m happy *some* are being brought out into the light.
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... -top-story
——
I started my career as a grant administrator for St. Louis County, lasted 1 year during the Stenger administration. I put in a complaint/notice to the state after my time. I don’t believe this is a result of my complaint.
This isn’t new and FWCA isn’t the biggest offender. Some of StLs favorite non-profits are awarded millions annually and falsely report outcomes. My time at St. Louis County completely shattered my perception of non-profits with good intentions and the community development field in general. I’m happy *some* are being brought out into the light.
StlToday - St. Louis County chops $27 million in road work. Here's what's left.
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... 67445.html
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... 67445.html
StlToday - St. Louis County struggles to find fix to $44M budget hole. ‘It keeps me up at night.’
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... cce57.html
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... cce57.html
The new logo has been a nice distraction from the bigger problem.
Stl PR - Page touts county successes, warns of future budget peril in State of the County speech
"We have over $2 billion in infrastructure projects that we do not have funding for."
https://www.stlpr.org/government-politi ... nty-speech
Stl PR - Page touts county successes, warns of future budget peril in State of the County speech
"We have over $2 billion in infrastructure projects that we do not have funding for."
https://www.stlpr.org/government-politi ... nty-speech
Kelli Dunaway was on the Politically Speaking podcast recently and touched on the budget issues and how people aren't quite prepared for how much services will be impacted.
StlToday - St. Louis County to consider Rams money to restore budget
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... 3b171.html
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... 3b171.html
Spread out places are expensive.
StlToday - St. Louis County considers Rams money for roads but laments how far it would go
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... 7bd16.html
StlToday - St. Louis County considers Rams money for roads but laments how far it would go
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... 7bd16.html
RIP to a project that no one wanted. Rita Days robbed city residents of $45MM. It may sound extreme, but she's right up there with Stan in my book now. Terrible and shortsighted leader.
North County track project stalls over costs; councilwoman says fight isn't over
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... -cost.html
"The architectural consultant hired by the county, WSP Inc., estimates a facility suitable for local events would cost more than $90 million, rising to $160 million for one that could host regional NCAA track meets and nearly $200 million for one that could host a national NCAA event."
"But the county only has $40 million set aside for the facility as part of a deal struck to move forward on funding the county's share of the then-$210 million expansion of the America's Center convention complex downtown."
North County track project stalls over costs; councilwoman says fight isn't over
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... -cost.html
"The architectural consultant hired by the county, WSP Inc., estimates a facility suitable for local events would cost more than $90 million, rising to $160 million for one that could host regional NCAA track meets and nearly $200 million for one that could host a national NCAA event."
"But the county only has $40 million set aside for the facility as part of a deal struck to move forward on funding the county's share of the then-$210 million expansion of the America's Center convention complex downtown."
- 975
Comparing her to Stan is a bit extreme, but I have worked a bit with Rita over the years, and she is beyond clueless.addxb2 wrote:RIP to a project that no one wanted. Rita Days robbed city residents of $45MM. It may sound extreme, but she's right up there with Stan in my book now. Terrible and shortsighted leader.
North County track project stalls over costs; councilwoman says fight isn't over
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... -cost.html
"The architectural consultant hired by the county, WSP Inc., estimates a facility suitable for local events would cost more than $90 million, rising to $160 million for one that could host regional NCAA track meets and nearly $200 million for one that could host a national NCAA event."
"But the county only has $40 million set aside for the facility as part of a deal struck to move forward on funding the county's share of the then-$210 million expansion of the America's Center convention complex downtown."
40 years of spreading out with no population gain is coming home to roost.
StlToday - St. Louis County Council cuts $10 million, 118 vacant jobs
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... cce8b.html
StlToday - St. Louis County Council cuts $10 million, 118 vacant jobs
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... cce8b.html
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... 9c2f8.html
Sam Page outlines plan to use $59M in Rams money to fill a $61M budget deficit expected for next year.
Page's proposed budget for next year is ~$1 billion and represents an 8% cut from this year's. Despite cutting 200 open positions to save money, the budget is being strained by increases in police pay, County worker pay, next year's elections, and new leases for County offices.
Thus far, the County has spent ~$50 million of its Rams settlement money on subdivision street repair, cybersecurity, and special elections. About $75 million would remain if the County Council approves Page's plan.
Page is also requesting that the County Council approves a ballot measure to put a new sales tax on items purchases on the internet out of state, which would generate $45M to $75M annually.
Edit: Reddit's views on this are as insane as normal and absolutely zero critical thought happening, as normal.
Sam Page outlines plan to use $59M in Rams money to fill a $61M budget deficit expected for next year.
Page's proposed budget for next year is ~$1 billion and represents an 8% cut from this year's. Despite cutting 200 open positions to save money, the budget is being strained by increases in police pay, County worker pay, next year's elections, and new leases for County offices.
Thus far, the County has spent ~$50 million of its Rams settlement money on subdivision street repair, cybersecurity, and special elections. About $75 million would remain if the County Council approves Page's plan.
Page is also requesting that the County Council approves a ballot measure to put a new sales tax on items purchases on the internet out of state, which would generate $45M to $75M annually.
Edit: Reddit's views on this are as insane as normal and absolutely zero critical thought happening, as normal.
No population growth and spreading out for 40 years will catch up to you.
Maybe they should consider an earnings tax. Oh wait, that's illegal. Or a county gas tax. Oh, only municipalities can have a local gas tax. Or not spread out so much and make themselves house poor, the horse is out of the barn.
Maybe they should consider an earnings tax. Oh wait, that's illegal. Or a county gas tax. Oh, only municipalities can have a local gas tax. Or not spread out so much and make themselves house poor, the horse is out of the barn.
A City/County merger would certainly help reduce some of the spending redundancies and general inefficiency.
We need a local version of Strong Towns here.Auggie wrote:https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... 9c2f8.html
Sam Page outlines plan to use $59M in Rams money to fill a $61M budget deficit expected for next year.
Page's proposed budget for next year is ~$1 billion and represents an 8% cut from this year's. Despite cutting 200 open positions to save money, the budget is being strained by increases in police pay, County worker pay, next year's elections, and new leases for County offices.
Thus far, the County has spent ~$50 million of its Rams settlement money on subdivision street repair, cybersecurity, and special elections. About $75 million would remain if the County Council approves Page's plan.
Page is also requesting that the County Council approves a ballot measure to put a new sales tax on items purchases on the internet out of state, which would generate $45M to $75M annually.
Edit: Reddit's views on this are as insane as normal and absolutely zero critical thought happening, as normal.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Also using a one time to fill budget windfall gaps is horrific policy. What is Page thinking here? He’s long past his expiration date as county exec IMO.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Could set up a local chapter, StrongTownsSTL.Fraydog wrote: ↑Oct 03, 2025We need a local version of Strong Towns here.Auggie wrote:https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... 9c2f8.html
Sam Page outlines plan to use $59M in Rams money to fill a $61M budget deficit expected for next year.
Page's proposed budget for next year is ~$1 billion and represents an 8% cut from this year's. Despite cutting 200 open positions to save money, the budget is being strained by increases in police pay, County worker pay, next year's elections, and new leases for County offices.
Thus far, the County has spent ~$50 million of its Rams settlement money on subdivision street repair, cybersecurity, and special elections. About $75 million would remain if the County Council approves Page's plan.
Page is also requesting that the County Council approves a ballot measure to put a new sales tax on items purchases on the internet out of state, which would generate $45M to $75M annually.
Edit: Reddit's views on this are as insane as normal and absolutely zero critical thought happening, as normal.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Page is awful and I sincerely hope Brian Williams wins the primary and if not, then I hope someone like Mark Montavani runs as a Republican and wins. Page cannot be elected for another term, for the sake of the region.
There is one already
Hello!
My name is John Pattison, and I am the community builder at Strong Towns.
One of the best parts of my job has been able to support the more than 300 local Strong Towns groups around North America...and now around the world!
These groups -- we call them Local Conversations -- are Strong Towns in real life: neighbors coming together to talk Strong Towns ideas, applying these ideas to their own town or city, and then working together to put them into action.
Did you know there's a great Local Conversation near you? Strong St. Louis meets monthly, and you're invited to attend their next meet-up. Here are the details:
What: Strong St. Louis Monthly Meet-up
When: October 21 @ 6:30 p.m.
Where: T-REX Building | 911 Washington Avenue, Downtown St. Louis
They also just started sharing their meetings online as well. If you'd like to connect with Strong St. Louis you can join their Discord server here. You can also email the Strong St. Louis leadership team at strongstlmo@gmail.com.
The Strong Towns movement is growing in St. Louis. Thank you for being a part of it!
John
Stl PR - St. Louis County jail director says millions needed for facility maintenance, other improvements
https://www.stlpr.org/government-politi ... provements
https://www.stlpr.org/government-politi ... provements
- 1,793
Is this just hyperbole or is the problem really that bad?
Seems as if it is really that bad. The County is going to have to implement severe austerity unless they can raise significantly more revenue.JaneJacobsGhost wrote: ↑Dec 03, 2025Is this just hyperbole or is the problem really that bad?
What’s not really being considered is that a majority (60%+) of County residents are within municipalities whose finances are still fine. This won’t really have the impact that the City of St. Louis going under would have on residents, IMO.Ebsy wrote:Seems as if it is really that bad. The County is going to have to implement severe austerity unless they can raise significantly more revenue.JaneJacobsGhost wrote: ↑Dec 03, 2025Is this just hyperbole or is the problem really that bad?
Unincorporated areas and small municipalities which rely on the county will suffer the most. Maybe good for consolidation efforts.
Also the County isn’t going bankrupt. It’ll just be out of savings to cover overspending. They haven’t made a serious effort to reduce services or generate new revenue… all things that need to happen before bankruptcy would be necessary. All things that can buy time for new solutions.
I think considering assets to liabilities the City is still closer to bankruptcy but even that isn’t likely. If 0 is Chesterfield and 10 is Detroit/Chicago. City is a 3 with pensions and airport making most of it.
I think considering assets to liabilities the City is still closer to bankruptcy but even that isn’t likely. If 0 is Chesterfield and 10 is Detroit/Chicago. City is a 3 with pensions and airport making most of it.
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... -top-story
The County Council is going the austerity route, cutting 9%. That still leaves them using $15.6 million from the dwindling Ram's settlement money to cover the gap between revenue and expected spending. Not as bad as what the County Executive was proposing which was the very definition of kicking the can down the road, but the County's finances are still on an extremely unsustainable course.
The County Council is going the austerity route, cutting 9%. That still leaves them using $15.6 million from the dwindling Ram's settlement money to cover the gap between revenue and expected spending. Not as bad as what the County Executive was proposing which was the very definition of kicking the can down the road, but the County's finances are still on an extremely unsustainable course.