ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Six St. Louis County Directors, from different departments, are suing the County to halt Proposition B from appearing on the April 8th Ballot, which would give the Council sweeping powers to fire.
In January, the St. Louis County Council passed a bill that would no longer empower them to remove St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page but still have the power to remove his department heads.
However, voter approval is still needed though and the authority to fire department heads can only be in specific offices, health, streets, finance and corrections. The ballot measure has been expected to appear on the ballot on April 8.
The six directors say the suit is a last resort and that continued interference by council members is intimidating and offensive and for the thousands of employees that work with them.
The suit also asserts that the Council saying the amendments will have no fiscal impact on taxes is plainly untrue, saying the amendments would allow the County Council members to pursue their own agenda and discharge officials that are exercising their duties to the satisfaction of the County Executive.
Termination under such circumstances would expose the County to potential liability for damages and severance expenses that would ultimately be borne by taxpayers.
County Executive Dr. Sam Page sent a statement to KMOX regarding the lawsuit.
"The proposed charter amendment threatens a disruption in services and exacerbates the continued struggle to recruit and retain talented employees," said Dr. Page.
Page goes on to say the directors are angry and fearful and finding it more difficult to do their work as the council increases interference.
St. Louis County Councilman Dennis Hancock previously discussed the measure to KMOX News, saying there needs to be more 'accountability' in the County Executive Office.
"What I think we are really looking to do is to bring some accountability back to county government," said Hancock at the time. "I don't know if this is necessarily aimed at the county executive as it is at the executive's staff."
