County official demands lobbyist reports and salary fairness for all employees

The St. Charles County Council convened on March 10, 2025, to address several key issues impacting the community. The meeting began with discussions surrounding the county's lobbying efforts in Jefferson City, where concerns were raised about the effectiveness of the employed lobbyists, Mike Gibbons and Tom Dempsey. A council member expressed frustration over the lack of testimony from these lobbyists, despite the county's significant investment of $250,000 in lobbying expenses. The member requested formal reports to assess the return on investment for taxpayers, emphasizing the need for transparency in these expenditures.

Following this, the council addressed employee compensation, specifically regarding a proposed salary increase for building code officials. The council member argued that it was unjust to single out this group for a pay raise, advocating instead for a more equitable approach that would benefit all county employees.

Additionally, the council member made a public information request under Chapter 610.023, seeking access to election documents from the county registrar and election director. This request aimed to review historical documents before their scheduled destruction, highlighting the importance of maintaining transparency in electoral processes.

The meeting also included a discussion on a land zoning request application, which was ultimately defeated due to concerns about the density of the proposed development.

In conclusion, the St. Charles County Council meeting highlighted significant discussions on lobbying transparency, employee compensation equity, and electoral document access, reflecting ongoing efforts to ensure accountability and fairness within the county's governance. Further actions and follow-ups on these matters are expected in future meetings.