St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger is pledging that “county government will not increase taxes or cut services,’’ and accuses St. Louis County Council Chairman Sam Page of inaccurately asserting otherwise.
At issue is Stenger’s proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins Jan. 1. Although it is a proposed balanced budget for 2018, Page is pointing to projections in the budget document that indicate the 2019 budget might face a deficit of $18 million.
Page said in an interview that he’s simply raising questions.
At a news conference Tuesday, Stenger said that his administration already has been taking steps to save money without cutting services or raising taxes — and accused Page of “election-year politics’’ to imply otherwise.
“We have, we can and we will live within our means,” Stenger said. He is seeking re-election next year.
Page said politics isn’t the issue. It’s the county’s finances.
Before the beginning of 2017, Stenger and Page — both Democrats — were political allies. But their relationship has deteriorated over a number of issues.
Other budget details
Stenger also promised that the county will commit all of the money from a new half-cent sales tax increase for law enforcement purposes. County voters passed the measure, known as Proposition P, in April. Stenger said he will not allow any cuts in existing county money that also goes to law enforcement.
Stenger noted that he already had proposed changing the county employee pension system for future hires, which he said could save tens of millions of dollars. In the short-term, Stenger said the county can cut some or all of the 400 employees who work on a contract basis.
Stenger circulated a letter he had received Monday from Page that the county executive believed was setting the stage for seeking a property tax increase.
“If Chairman Page attempts to increase taxes or add to the financial burden of county residents, I will shut him down,’’ Stenger said.
Page replied in an interview that his letter was simply raising questions about the $18 million projected deficit in 2019 and “an offer to help work’’ out a solution.
“I’m asking for clarification of what he wrote,’’ Page said.
The council must approve a new 2018 budget by the end of December, or next year's spending will be governed by the 2017 budget.
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