Mayor Cara Spencer announced a lawsuit filed Thursday seeking to overturn the law that moved control of the police department from the City to a board of police commissioners appointed by governor Mike Kehoe.
"I want to be clear, this is not a measure that we take lightly," says Mayor Spencer, "it is regrettable that we are at this impasse."
What short period of cooperation there might have been quickly dissipated when the Board and City Hall dug in their heels on a fight over the budget. The Board's proposed budget claims to be $250 million. Mayor Spencer says that does not include the benefits package the City would be on the hook for which would make it $270 million, a 40% increase from last fiscal year.
How they reached their numbers is also up to interpretation of the law. The law states the department is entitled to between 23-24% of the City's general revenue this upcoming fiscal year,. The budget proposal from the City to the department is $220 million, and includes a 7% raise for officers.
The board's larger figure includes the City's reserves in their calculus, and also counts the Rams Settlement Money the City has been sitting on.
Mayor Spencer called counting that money as general revenue "preposterous."
The City's lawsuit calls the law putting control of the department under a state appointed board an unfunded mandate, and seeks to rescind the law entirely, returning control of the police to the City.
"It was my intention to make this work," says Spencer, saying she has worked in good faith to make this work.
Spencer was questioned on the timing of this bill, having been asked about whether she will file a lawsuit for nearly a year. Spencer points to a number of reasons why she waited, including waiting for the law to ripen and for the board to be sat.
Board President Chris Saracino with Chief of Police Robert Tracy
Sean Malone, KMOX News
The Board of Police Commissioners responded Thursday afternoon saying they were caught off guard by the lawsuit but stand by their $250 million dollar budget request.
Commissioner Sonya Jenkins Gray says they felt they were making progress towards an agreement earlier this week.
"We thought that we were still in negotiations and that we would reach some resolution."
Board President Chris Saracino says they are ready to resume.
"We again stand ready and willing at all times to continue productive dialogue with the Mayor and her team to continue these important budget talks."
Saracino says they stand by their budget request.
"We stand by the $250 million expenditure request, which is 18% of the City's general revenue fund."
That math is questionable however, with the board's attorney Chris Graville explaining it includes more than just general revenue but also the city's reserves and Rams Settlement money.
"The discussions about the Rams money and the strategic reserve were really about what does that percentage look like on the overall budget."
Attorney Chris Graville says they're still seeking a greater understanding of that.
"There was this comment about the devastating impact on the other employees and on the budget and it was a question of can you explain that to us so we can understand that better."
Chief Robert Tracy, asked about the department morale, says this can be a distraction but its their job to not let it be.
"We try to keep [the officers] going out and doing their job. Let us deal with this, let us deal with the press conferences let us deal with the budget and you guys go out and do your job because we have your back."
President Megan Green and Arch City Defenders have previously filed separate lawsuits against the state takeover of the department.
