St. Louis Budget and Public Employees Committee Hearing on FY2027 Budget – May 6, 2026

This meeting of the Budget and Public Employees Committee was convened to hear presentations and discuss the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget for the city of St. Louis. The committee, chaired by Alderman Aldrich, heard from the Mayor's Office, the Board of Aldermen, the Comptroller's Office, Recorder of Deeds, the Planning and Urban Design Agency, and the Director of Public Safety. No formal votes were taken on the budget; the hearings are part of an ongoing review process.

Consent Calendar

• No routine approvals or unanimous actions were considered. The committee noted there were no board bills or resolutions for review aside from budget bill number one, which was held.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered during this hearing.

Discussion Items

Mayor's Office (Mayor Tishaura O. Jones)

• The Mayor presented the FY2027 budget, noting a 0.2% overall increase to $1.41 billion, which she described as "modest" and not keeping up with inflation. She emphasized the budget is responsible and invests in staff, basic services, and public safety.
• Key investments include: a 3% raise for most city employees and a $1,000 lump sum payment; $18 million for pay adjustments to bring underpaid staff within 5% of regional minimum; 7% raises for uniformed police and firefighters; $8.8 million for the Office of Violence Prevention (a slight increase); $2 million for Code Blue homeless services (a new general fund investment); $6.7 million for affordable housing from local use tax; $1 million each for right to counsel, tiny homes, and summer youth programming (added via amendments); $4 million increase for derelict building demolition (total $9.3 million); $2 million additional for forestry; $6.8 million for road and bridge projects; $10.7 million for ward-specific improvements; $1.3 million increase for snow and salt removal; and $500,000 for street sign inventory.
• The Mayor stated the budget maintains a strong general fund reserve of $154.1 million (24% of operating budget). Revenues are stabilizing, with general fund growth projected at 1.7%.
• Committee members praised the Mayor's collaboration and asked about staffing, capital improvement fund reduction (down 17.9%), declining grant funding, and the Office of Recovery (funded via RAM settlement dollars). The Mayor clarified that the office of recovery staff appear in the mayor's office budget but are paid from RAM funds, not general revenue.
• Vice Chair Browning commended the Mayor for standing up to the Board of Police Commissioners regarding improper budget transfers. Alderman Devotee asked about long-term pay competitiveness; the Mayor responded that increasing the tax base through population growth is essential. Alderwoman Velasquez inquired about capital funds and grant reductions; the Mayor deferred to the budget director but noted federal disinvestment.

Board of Aldermen (Acting President Shane Cohn)

• Acting President Cohn presented a largely flat budget of $5,538,498, a $45,000 increase from FY2026. The budget supports 51 FTEs (50 currently filled) and includes a new $25,000 legal services contingency fund (mandated by ordinance). Salaries for regular employees increased to $3,670,809 from $3,598,210.
• The Board's legislative accomplishments during FY26 included 175 board bills introduced, over 120 passed, including tornado relief, affordable housing reforms (raising occupancy limits, reducing lot size, legalizing ADUs), and Prop N S program improvements.
• Committee members noted the budget is decreasing as a percentage of the total city budget. Alderwoman Sanyer asked about phones and landlines; Cohn said landlines were installed and cell phones are still under discussion. Alderman Browning raised the issue of aldermanic salaries not keeping pace with inflation; Cohn noted that pay increases require a board bill and cannot take effect until after the next election. He also discussed a potential constituent management software platform that was not fully funded (requested $126,000, received $90,000).

Comptroller's Office (Comptroller Donna Baringer)

• Comptroller Baringer highlighted her office's role as a watchdog over city finances. Modernization efforts include implementing Oracle for contract setup (now 7 business days) and invoice payments (1.5 days), and moving toward electronic payments (ACH) to save $100,000/year in check mailing costs. She also noted the office helped document $7.5 million in qualifying expenditures to secure a $15 million state demolition grant.
• Deputy Comptroller Jason Fletcher presented the budget: $19.3 million for all funds, a 2% increase ($386,000) from FY2026. Staffing reduced from 118 to 113 FTEs (net reduction of 5 due to outsourcing armed security at Gateway Transportation Center). Current vacancies: 31 (26 after removing security guards). The increase is largely due to salary adjustments and a $213,000 contractual services increase for security.
• Committee members asked about the municipal garage (revenue goes to general fund, garage is deteriorating), TIFF districts (180 currently, expected to decline by 50% in 7 years), and the need for competitive salaries. Comptroller Baringer emphasized that civil service employees have lower pay but strong benefits, and noted that health care costs rose 38%, impacting the budget. She also discussed improving revenue collection, such as tracking 50-50 sidewalk payments.

Recorder of Deeds (Michael Butler)

• Recorder Butler presented a budget of $3.4 million, staying within allocation. The office has 33 FTEs with no vacancies for years. Revenue increased 50% over eight years (from $2.6 million to $3.9 million), while spending decreased. The office gave away 2,500 free documents to tornado victims. Butler negotiated a 25% reduction in software costs (from $235,000 to $180,000). He is restoring an information systems administrator position by reducing a supervisor position, and upgrading clerk positions for career mobility.
• Committee members praised the office's efficiency and customer service. Butler attributed success to simplifying tasks, investing in technology, and ensuring competitive pay (though limited by civil service rules). He noted this is his last budget hearing before leaving office.

Planning and Urban Design Agency (Executive Director Don Roe)

• Director Roe presented the agency's work with 27 employees (none funded by ARPA). Budget sources include EcoDevo, general revenue, and CDBG. The budget is essentially flat. Key projects include: the Strategic Land Use Plan (updated), Sustainability and Climate Plan, Transportation Mobility Plan (first citywide since 1948), a comprehensive zoning overhaul (aiming for 2027 adoption), and neighborhood planning (multiple areas underway). The Cultural Resources Office reviews building permits and demolition requests; staff have worked to resolve issues before they go to the Preservation Board, reducing hearings.
• Committee members asked about staff burnout and salaries. Roe noted that top planners recently received raises but may still be underpaid compared to SLDC (non-civil service). He emphasized the value of conferences for professional development. Alderman Browning raised concerns about workload; Roe acknowledged they are careful not to overburden staff. Questions were also asked about the EcoDevo subsidy to SLDC (used for neighborhood implementation managers), and about historic district standards (a consultant recently analyzed codes to produce clearer guidelines).

Department of Public Safety (Director Sean Dace)

• Director Dace oversees eight divisions (Building, CEMA, Civilian Oversight, Corrections, Excise, Fire, Neighborhood Stabilization, Office of Violence Prevention) with over 1,000 employees. The FY27 budget request is largely unchanged. Key proposals: fund an executive assistant 2 position (previously ARPA); continue PSAP public safety answering point (remaining $12 million identified from ARPA capital, GO bonds, and EcoDevo); fund Prop S (anti-violence youth programs) and Prop P (youth jobs); and fund an executive director for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) through grants.
• Accomplishments include weekly cross-divisional meetings, launching Code Blue winter weather unified command, hiring new commissioners for CEMA, Corrections, and OVP, promoting staff, hiring a safety officer, and modernizing building permits (online portal) and payments (PayIt system). 50 fire promotions made, including six Black female captains. The building division is undergoing an audit; Director Dace emphasized finding a strong building commissioner to address corruption and improve customer service. He also noted that the PSAP project is on track for late 2027 with full funding identified.
• Committee members asked about CEMA's role in disaster response; Dace said they serve as a resource facilitator. They also discussed building division challenges, including vacancy and the need for better collection of fines/fees. Alderwoman Velasquez inquired about the impact of a CJCC director; Dace explained it would help coordinate criminal justice agencies and address mental health needs of detainees.

Key Outcomes

• No final votes or decisions were made on the FY2027 budget. The committee will continue hearings with individual department presentations over the following days. Committee members expressed interest in potential amendments, particularly regarding salaries, revenue collection, and building division improvements. The meeting adjourned with a motion, and the next hearing is scheduled for May 7, 2026, at 9:30 AM.