[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6233613,"mediaKeyId","3417862-4d08e03f54c93a27923623dfe095a680","parentId",3417862,"title","St. Louis Assessor explains two‑year assessment cycle, senior‑freeze workload and limits on mid‑year value changes after storm","audioSeconds",586,"startMs",9976000,"endMs",10562000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3417862-4d08e03f54c93a27923623dfe095a680&start=9976&end=10562","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3417862-4d08e03f54c93a27923623dfe095a680/thumbnail_9976000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6233613/St-Louis-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/St-Louis-Assessor-explains-twoyear-assessment-cycle-seniorfreeze-workload-and-limits-on-midyear-value-changes-after-storm","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233613-3e0d769c5c118ff72b459248479ee460/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180904&Signature=GFwnwT7LtmKs0qlJBkNgXnIDBzqaGUrAhwFtogl2XgwT7KhCEYjFSHV9CTw9p8DAsiRwzLJUnO61EtVUW0ai2PS75ZVcLATrVXHA11~n6NLdpj8jnkawiKkNhZ~yWe1pXBnMZmJ5pNujmJq-ED01lwBce3K4KPLLfWNJAmQo6S6c2dk61J9Mdg1pvV-2077sX5zTCs2djCU-TuKgCJ4o6pCnSdIOiTuxN-oH1hWh4iBm06YnUeukzQaGK7FYtLE2~KeIk~Zeo94iVhTR1w73fHARIOWqXlIq6qB7oPIx5~I7J3kormuqZ6ba6glQIIDjHf8~P9DRzhab3cZ054rN5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of St. Louis, MO","date","2025-05-21T07:45:21.01Z","article","Sean Ordway, deputy assessor and acting interim assessor, told the Budget and Public Employees Committee on May 19 that the assessor’s office follows a two‑year assessment plan approved by the State Tax Commission and that valuations are set to reflect property condition as of Jan. 1 each assessment cycle.

Ordway said the office manages about 110,000 personal property accounts and sees roughly 120–150 in‑person customers a day for filings and questions. He described the senior property tax freeze passed last year as a major new administrative responsibility that has increased staff workload and could require additional resources to sustain if participation remains high.

On storm damage, Ordway said the assessor’s office can help with damage estimates and site examinations but generally cannot change assessed values mid‑year: “In the city of St. Louis, we assess property based on what it was on January 1. And then whatever happens after that doesn’t get [changed] until the next January,” he said. He noted the office will inspect properties and make adjustments for subsequent tax years where warranted, and that the office will comply with any lawful direction from the mayor’s office, the Board of Aldermen or the state that changes reporting or relief authorities.

Why it matters: Homeowners and small landlords affected by the weekend storm may find their property tax bills reflect pre‑storm values. Ordway said the law and the office’s process limit mid‑year valuation changes absent a change in authorizing law or an extraordinary procedure.

Ordway reviewed the assessor’s revenue model: the office receives a per‑parcel reimbursement from the state and about five‑eighths of a percent of tax withholdings as its major funding sources; the city supplements the remainder as needed. He said appeals declined in recent reassessment cycles but that appeals commonly increase when reassessment activity rises and that the office expects more appeals in the current reassessment cycle.

Ending: Ordway said the office will continue to assist with damage assessments and to work through reassessment and appeals processes; he offered to coordinate with the mayor’s office and the Board of Aldermen if lawmakers seek extraordinary, legally permissible relief for storm‑damaged properties.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Budget and Public Employees Committee - May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sean Ordway, deputy assessor and acting interim assessor, told the Budget and Public Employees Committee on May 19 that St. Louis assesses property based on its condition on Jan. 1 and that the office cannot typically change values mid‑year following storm damage.","taxTitle","St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Missouri","taxId",2587,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233610,"Treasurer outlines parking enterprise fund, rising reserves and projects; municipal ID staffing earmarked in treasury budget",1308,13410000,14718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3417862-4d08e03f54c93a27923623dfe095a680&start=13410&end=14718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3417862-4d08e03f54c93a27923623dfe095a680/thumbnail_13410000.jpg","/articles/6233610/St-Louis-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Treasurer-outlines-parking-enterprise-fund-rising-reserves-and-projects-municipal-ID-staffing-earmarked-in-treasury-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233610-70683e8004a1cc0a55684d3faae33cb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180904&Signature=mjqTyt-T~er1ldXXHzoz5O67O7JLO-32CqJWAECke-AgJGDdfMZXwxVm1LzB1wXdmChVD-2NFJsoNiCkofyMUU3Gc2faf5rZbwvMbnID6lX2Om3e-GTfHnFE~o1L7PIyUsA9U9bR9qyDShjV2o3GykKbm-d6H1CMFcQQSp5IwS05~08g45K9z~M2y9mfUArBgVY6lA4cUwD0noQcriYlUEIJl4ZW4--wXW4tunmc7pyr4cQyvCz2jEVkS46D8RILaXgwI8yKGhTcFn0X~bql9Ynm0mk23VfyFlVC65nFSgE~xdvS1XtPU2pKZ~ClVwQyeg~KXCQcgbHq2TlX-jUTKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adam Lane, the City of St. Louis treasurer, told the Budget and Public Employees Committee on May 19 that the Parking Division operates as an enterprise fund, has rebuilt reserves since 2020 and contributed about $20 million directly to the general fund from 2019–2025.

Lane said the division’s enterprise model means it must cover operations, capital and debt from parking revenues (meters, tickets and garage rentals) rather than city tax dollars. He reported projected FY26 revenue changes that reflect modest declines in meter and garage revenues driven by downtown usage trends, and said the division is being conservative in its projections while it pursues new leases and demand opportunities.

Why it matters: The Parking Division’s reserve position supports the division’s bond rating and its ability to be a public partner on new parking projects that can enable redevelopment and economic activity. Lane said reserves have trended upward since 2020 and that debt principal has been declining as revenue bonds are paid down.

Lane described several value‑added services: waiving parking fees for job fairs and community events, periodic ticket amnesty programs (the division reported roughly $800,000 in forgiven ticket balances over several years), operating juror shuttles for the courts, and initiating neighborhood parking permit programs. He said direct contributions to the general fund totaled about $20 million between 2019 and 2025 and that the parking division’s 40% profit contribution target under statutory guidance would amount to approximately $845,000 in the next year based on current projections.

Lane outlined near‑term project interest and constraints: planned or exploring projects in Grand Center, the Landing and Compton & Olive to add structured parking capacity; sustainability and electric vehicle charging infrastructure (including possible Department of Energy grant applications); and efforts to restart towing/booting operations but noted the city’s public tow lot has been at capacity and that sign‑off by the Streets Department is needed to use an alternate private lot identified through procurement.

On staffing and municipal ID: Lane said the Treasurer’s Office is preparing to host the municipal ID program and that one of the budgeted administrative positions is intended for that program’s first‑year operations. He said IT and vendor work is underway, job descriptions are ready and the office is preparing to stand up the service in City Hall when hiring and space are finalized.

The committee did not take a vote on parking projects or the municipal ID staffing during the meeting. Members asked about tow lot capacity and staffing; Lane said procurement had identified a candidate tow lot but the Streets Department had not yet approved required signage to allow the city to use it for tows.

Ending: Lane said the treasurer’s office will continue to build parking reserves and pursue targeted capital partnerships that support economic development, while standing up the municipal ID program and pursuing sustainability upgrades at parking facilities.","Adam Lane, City Treasurer, told the Budget and Public Employees Committee on May 19 that the Parking Division is an enterprise fund with increasing reserves and that it has contributed about $20 million to general revenue from 2019–2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233617,"Collector reports $916.4M in FY collections; announces ARPA‑funded water assistance and Spanish phone payment option",597,5120000,5717000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3417862-4d08e03f54c93a27923623dfe095a680&start=5120&end=5717","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3417862-4d08e03f54c93a27923623dfe095a680/thumbnail_5120000.jpg","/articles/6233617/St-Louis-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Collector-reports-9164M-in-FY-collections-announces-ARPAfunded-water-assistance-and-Spanish-phone-payment-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233617-81e3e535eda926bd8793e076547bf28a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180904&Signature=WyI1lBzz1GiUIbk~n38sHQS9DUSpoSWjXGzHnvwMB9XacvghR1Sh74zNgUUxVfvdm1urB~AiEOepkg9FMS90QD2aFIcNnLUybjfakuGUOVcty-9alJVjiVeBuxo5l3r09fyEp2gFRQqdsySyLD~wHZiGgar7k0SMqYt-BJYQ3RVNHsWz4AO~ATegBTqY6xTFhcTdKSReX8mJfsKwZ9s05T4xiHp0WiBAbwnc4c8O5fp3ncb-YDzXVbKvezWhBN-dmuVVJ0JFw4E2gTdqO9UiJ4w1D1koNQdFf3eN2GSkx2QqXOPnVUlF1Ck4thXTHULntMM08CLxNYX2nBxmClcSqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Greg Dailey, the City of St. Louis collector of revenue, told the Budget and Public Employees Committee on May 19 that total collections for the fiscal year ending March 2025 were about $916.4 million and that his office is launching assistance programs funded with ARPA dollars.

Dailey said the total included roughly $519.8 million in real estate and personal property taxes, $306.8 million in earnings and payroll expense (the largest revenue source for general revenue), about $69.9 million in water fees and about $16.4 million in refuse collections. Those collections are distributed to multiple agencies and funds, and Dailey said the collector’s office receives commissions on collections (about 1.5%–4%) to fund operations; excess commissions this year are projected at about $22.1 million.

Dailey described the Real Estate Tax Assistance Fund (RETAF), a partnership the collector’s office runs with ParkCentral Development, Prosperity Connection and Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, and said the program has already saved 52 owner‑occupied homes from tax sale and impacted 272 individuals across 46 neighborhoods. The collector said his office is collaborating with the Water Division and the administration to stand up a comparable ARPA‑funded water assistance program later this summer; he said the pool available for water assistance is $840,000 and that United Way will serve as vendor for that distribution.

The collector also told the committee his office will add a Spanish interactive voice response (IVR) payment option through the PayIt St. Louis vendor to make payments easier for Spanish‑speaking residents; Dailey said the IVR option is expected in September. He described the office’s work supplying personnel and mailing support to other departments at no cost and noted that the Collector’s Office employs about 91 full‑time and part‑time staff.

Why it matters: The collector’s revenue totals are a principal input to the city’s operating budget. The announced ARPA water assistance program and a Spanish IVR payment channel are administrative steps intended to make tax and utility payment options more accessible and to provide short‑term relief to residents facing arrears.

Dailey emphasized customer service, said the office’s fiscal year begins the first Monday in March (per state statute) and said collections are routed to schools, the zoo, sheltered workshops and other designated agencies as required by law. He also noted excess commission distributions the office returns in June after operating expenses; Dailey said excess distributions since 2007 total about $195 million.

Committee members asked about collaboration opportunities with other departments and the collector encouraged early engagement when aldermen consider legislation that could affect tax or fee administration. Dailey also said the office has paused an open house scheduled for the day of the meeting and will reschedule in response to recent storm recovery needs.

Ending: The collector said the water assistance program details are still being finalized and will be launched later this summer; the collector’s office will implement the Spanish IVR payment channel in September and will continue coordinating with other city departments on outreach and assistance.","Greg Dailey, the City of St. Louis collector of revenue, told the Budget and Public Employees Committee on May 19 that total collections for the fiscal year ending March 2025 were about $916.4 million and that his office is launching ARPA‑funded water assistance and a Spanish IVR payment option.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233621,"St. Louis Water Division warns budget shortfall; master plan and rate study slated to guide multi‑hundred‑million dollar needs",1513,1254000,2767000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3417862-4d08e03f54c93a27923623dfe095a680&start=1254&end=2767","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3417862-4d08e03f54c93a27923623dfe095a680/thumbnail_1254000.jpg","/articles/6233621/St-Louis-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/St-Louis-Water-Division-warns-budget-shortfall-master-plan-and-rate-study-slated-to-guide-multihundredmillion-dollar-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233621-e2175f2676ea97e6a6a120c0799fd5ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180904&Signature=lvrok2OrURux5OdiRQKb~gbqHe6Omw1DOlEGq8PwewTYqaIpq1rDVFlBg7zi05cmylBkzxlgf-tapMeaWBU2SYgT~5MBxhRMXNvyy68rm8vQiyxMgAdLtqUua4GHLUil1X-rThCChhOEXkt8vP-MFLHOq77MbWt9n~cjqIz9FW2on0Fg0gcz0GFE~e997wKo3~R7CtzTZ-~Z0gmejoq1w7GIki~P9A1NCfuMh4Cn843JTHpg-rCRUNoejZEnt-4iOFRNlW63CYK~T43A7eJkVpVfcbgZqp81XXosWRCeSHq~Oj8bgxakSYnB0Om8hd9fO9wQDmEeiXuDr6MtUxDWMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Neeraj Patel, director of public utilities for the City of St. Louis, told the Budget and Public Employees Committee on May 19 that the Water Division expects FY26 revenues of about $81.2 million against estimated expenses of about $89 million and will use roughly $4.14 million from its contingent fund to cover the gap.

The shortfall comes amid rising treatment chemical costs, higher electric costs and long‑term needs for the city’s two treatment plants and 1,300 miles of water main. “We like to think of ourselves as a water utility first,” Patel said, framing the division’s proposal as an enterprise fund that must cover its own operations and capital needs through rates and other water revenues.

The division produces an average of about 134 million gallons per day, maintains roughly 15,500 fire hydrants and more than 93,000 service connections, and operates two treatment plants with substations and pumping units that in some cases date to the 1950s–1970s. Patel said industry guidance would target replacing 1%–2% of mains annually (about 13–26 miles) but that the city’s backlog and aging assets could drive capital needs into the hundreds of millions or more.

Why it matters: The Water Division is an enterprise fund whose accounts are separate from the city’s general fund; rate revenue and grants must cover operations, capital and debt service. Committee members said they want an expedited plan so the city can sequence work, seek state revolving funds and other financing, and limit the annual impact to ratepayers.

Patel described two near‑term steps the division is pursuing: a Water Master Plan, budgeted at roughly $1.3 million, to prioritize capital projects and estimate total program cost (Patel said it could show needs “over $500 million possibly over a billion dollars” depending on findings); and a cost‑of‑service study to align rates by customer class. He said a comprehensive master plan will likely take at least a year and should be refreshed periodically.

Patel also highlighted the drivers behind the operating shortfall: a recent emergency rate increase and a forthcoming 3% CPI adjustment on Jan. 1, but continuing escalation in water‑treatment chemical costs (the division anticipates about $15 million in chemical expenses next year, up from roughly $6.2 million several years ago). The FY26 personnel services line is about $34–34.7 million; the division currently has 365 full‑time positions authorized and 275 filled, a roughly 26% vacancy rate.

Patel said the division has used contractors for electrical, HVAC, pump and motor repairs, hauling and large main‑break response while recruitment improves, and that those contractual costs total roughly $33 million. He reported 391 main breaks in FY23, 372 in FY24 and 274 so far in the current fiscal year — numbers that include both small leaks and large failures that can require months and major equipment to repair.

The Water Division is pursuing federal and state grants and has used ARPA funding for a $1 million customer assistance program and $1.2 million for capital improvements. Patel said the division also received grant funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for lead service line inventory work (initial grants of ~$200,000 plus an award and amendment totaling about $633,000) to verify service line materials and do outreach. He said the system’s 90th‑percentile lead test results are well below the 15 parts‑per‑billion action level.

Committee members pressed on financing options: bonding, rate design and how to avoid using one‑time funds to backstop long‑term needs. Patel said the master plan and cost‑of‑service study will identify priority projects, estimate debt needs and help sequence improvements so rate increases and subsidized loans (for example, state revolving funds) can be blended with available grants.

Patel gave examples of critical capital items: pumping units that can cost $2 million to $5 million each with long lead times, a $12 million intake structure project already designed, filter and chemical‑handling upgrades at older plants, and meter replacements (about 16,000 meters) and large valves in the distribution system. He said some projects could be debt financed, but the division needs rates that support debt service and noted that low rates can reduce grant eligibility under some state scoring criteria.

The committee did not take formal action on the Water Division presentation; no motion or vote was recorded. Members requested the Water Master Plan and the cost‑of‑service study be prioritized so elected officials can evaluate financing, sequencing and mitigation for low‑income customers as the division updates its rate assumptions.

Ending: The Water Division will return with details from the master plan and a proposed cost‑of‑service schedule; officials told the committee they expect the master plan to be a year in duration and that capital priorities and funding options will be essential for any future rate requests.","City Water Division officials told the Board of Aldermen’s Budget and Public Employees Committee that rising treatment chemical costs, aging infrastructure and staffing gaps create a projected FY26 shortfall that will require pulling from the water contingent fund, more rate revenue and a multi‑year capital plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

St. Louis Assessor explains two‑year assessment cycle, senior‑freeze workload and limits on mid‑year value changes after storm

Treasurer outlines parking enterprise fund, rising reserves and projects; municipal ID staffing earmarked in treasury budget

Collector reports $916.4M in FY collections; announces ARPA‑funded water assistance and Spanish phone payment option

St. Louis Water Division warns budget shortfall; master plan and rate study slated to guide multi‑hundred‑million dollar needs