Board of Aldermen to Debate Possible (Charter) Changes

by Alvin A. Reid | The St. Louis AmericanJuly 12, 2024

Comptroller's office survives Charter Commission challenge

When the St. Louis Charter Commission released its draft proposals earlier this month, the two that sparked immediate debate - both in support and ire - were elimination of the city Board of Estimate and Apportionment and the Comptroller's office.

Comptroller Darlene Green quickly warned in a July 1 statement that an end to the office she holds could quickly lead to "closed door meetings, …removing transparency, and weakening checks and balances."

The proposals were also opposed by Mayor Tishaura Jones and several members of the Board of Aldermen.

Last week, the Charter Commission released a list of proposals that will be sent to the BOA for debate. The changes to the Comptroller's office and Board of Estimate and Apportionment have been removed.

Any proposal that receives approval from the BOA would be voted on in November and would need 60% of ballots to pass.

After a public hearing last week, Green released a statement saying, "I am overwhelmed and grateful by the response of the community who turned out to oppose the Charter Commission's plan to eliminate the office of Comptroller."

Green said the changes "will forever completely dismantle the strong financial structure of the city…thus, removing strong protection of city taxpayer's dollars from corruption."

"Together the Board of E&A, and an independent elected comptroller, provides for a layer of structural protection and accountability for local government finances."

Green also warned the city's A-category credit rating would be in jeopardy.

"The city's credit rating had not been an A+ in over 35 years when it was upgraded under my leadership in May of 2008. Strong financial management has long been a relevant component of the city's A-category credit rating, and these proposed charter changes threaten to damage the city's credit. Damaged credit increases borrowing costs."

The Charter Commission also abandoned a proposal that would allow the mayor to directly appoint the fire chief, police chief and director of personnel.

Full BOA meetings are scheduled for Thursday, August 8 and August 16 to both pass charter-related legislation and meet the Board of Election's August 27th deadline to place items on the November 2024 ballot.

Voters approved the creation of a nine-person commission in April 2023 to recommend changes to how the city government functions. Other proposals it is sending to aldermen include:

-Giving the Board of Aldermen an opportunity to increase, decrease or add budgetary items without a Board of E&A approval.

-Converting the Streets Department into the Department of Transportation

-Moving some city elections from March and April of odd-numbered years to either August and November of even-numbered years or August and November of odd-numbered years. This would hopefully increase voter participation in municipal elections.

-Lowering the required number of signatures on initiatives petitions, newly require approval voting for all County offices except the Circuit Attorney and rename the "Board of Aldermen" to the "City Council."

-Making changes to Charter language to convert pronouns to titles of offices, update methods of advertisement, remove obsolete language, reflect modern titles of offices and officers, and provide for compensation to be set by ordinance.

St. Louis American Article, July 12, 2024

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