Cunty Executive Sam Page is suggesting St. Louis City and County merge services in an attempt to solve issues with each other's budget, saying it needs to be discussed as a solution to budget issues facing both goernments.
County Executive Page has been fighting with the County Council of late on the issue of the budget, with revenues falling behind operating costs. Page says by entering St. Louis County, the City could also save money by consolidating duplicative services both governments offer.
"The question is could the City of St. Louis enter St. Louis County as another municipality... that already has a lot of political support."
The most recent push for a merger, "Better Together," fell apart in 2019 when then County Executive Steve Stenger, who would have become pseudo mega-mayor of the County and City, was indicted by a grand jury on federal corruption charges.
Page believes consolidating services and expanding their tax revenue could solve the County's budget problems. He also suggests the County's head quarters could move from Clayton to downtown St. Louis.
"County Headquarters could be in the City of St. Louis. Should we be spending hundreds of millions of dollars for a new building in Clayton?"
The City's charter requires them to pass a balanced budget every year. In recent years the City has ended their budget cycles with surpluses in the millions due to unfilled governmental positions. This year, the City has faced a unique budget challenge, as it navigates its first year with a Police Department under control of a state appointed board of Commissioners.
The board has been pushing for an increase of $50 million for next fiscal year's budget, raising it to $250 million. Mayor Cara Spencer is warning such an increase could result in cuts to City services and layoffs to already short staffed departments.
However, with no formal merger plan in place and the County Executive warning of their own cuts to service, furloughs and potentially using the Rams Settlement money to backfill their revenue shortfall, could Page be sure a merger would be a net positive for the City?
"I'm not here to offer a solution today," said Page after pressing him for an answer. "I'm not sure about anything. I'm sure we have a problem and I'm sure that when you provide services on a greater scale they cost less."
Page says he has spoken with Mayor Cara Spencer who is open minded to the idea.
In a statement, Mayor Spencer says her and her office support collaborative conversations and they want to see the City, and the region, thrive.
She adds "As Dr. Page said, there's not a plan in place at this time but we're always open to discussions."
Aldermanic President Megan Green is also open to discussions but said the community must come first. She also says "right now I think City leaders need to stay focused on tornado recovery and passing a balanced budget by July 1st; that’s where my attention is."