[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6129619,"mediaKeyId","5746206-a3f5b170471a8d619e30ef84c8aaa091","parentId",5746206,"title","Webster Groves council adopts change to fund‑balance target, lowering floor from 50% to 35%","audioSeconds",1872,"startMs",849000,"endMs",2721000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5746206-a3f5b170471a8d619e30ef84c8aaa091&start=849&end=2721","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5746206-a3f5b170471a8d619e30ef84c8aaa091/thumbnail_849000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6129619/Missouri/Webster-Groves-council-adopts-change-to-fundbalance-target-lowering-floor-from-50-to-35","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129619-4919f2a1bf81c3f656b6c80bffdd5c3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223275&Signature=VBUrXSWZ-ubBXTDia0MUvGRU8DH28DqVAA8c4tOY6cTOz7y9hKDjonyEgDtTw0piY1s22IW6wbaAgXK0sqUdQ~85wuA0SbtoNX6PrwRIZFv4tLnJWfIpg~bm2NUKYuLfIQS3eCoMwc0KFnWEE4Yc3KCU0fZ~rVLIQk8XAviHsPI0ox166RYPsA4s8C4M0xjNeHGWvQKtzetF30Ce2wiSgmKi2luzOtu0TKc8kw3QKF9KQoz8QjxkMOx2D9MLSnv~UYxD~PiD9hvziwJhQTkthFsQHYErb9D8GNfkFBw0f-b-fTann3A4E3VoSbfZPMUPcTJ7lMWAId2UAhmOx7UDWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Webster Groves","date","2025-06-04T12:02:32Z","article","Webster Groves — The Webster Groves City Council voted unanimously June 3 to adopt a revised weighted fund‑balance policy that lowers the city’s reserve target from 50% of planned general‑fund expenditures (about six months) to 35% (about four months).

City Finance Director Gregory Donovan told the council the policy change is intended to give the city “greater flexibility” to consider one‑time capital projects while keeping a multi‑month cushion to smooth cash flow and respond to emergencies. “My recommendation is that we can take it down from a 50%, which is 6 months, to 35%, which is about 4 months,” Donovan said during a council work session.

Donovan framed the change against guidance from the Government Finance Officers Association and the city’s recent revenue performance. He said the GFOA recommends keeping at least two months of planned expenditures as a reserve but that local conditions should determine the appropriate level. “The recommendation is that you keep at least 2 months of your expenses,” Donovan said, noting that Webster Groves has more stable, recurring revenue sources than some jurisdictions.

Donovan described fund balance as the accounting difference between assets and liabilities (not strictly cash on hand) and said the city’s audited position has created a roughly $8 million gap between its current fund balance and the previous 50% target. He recommended the lower 35% target while leaving the policy’s stated purposes — a cushion for cash‑flow timing, emergency spending and credit quality — unchanged. He emphasized that excess balances should be explained and spent on one‑time projects, not ongoing operations.

Council members asked about implementation and oversight. Donovan said amounts held above the 35% floor would remain in the general‑fund balance until the city develops a plan to allocate them and that any spending above thresholds would still require council approval. Mayor Laura Arnold and council members said they want staff — including City Manager Dr. Peoples — to return with an itemized, multimonth plan showing candidate projects, timelines and the effect on reserves.

Donovan also reviewed the budget context: the city is projecting an operating surplus for the current fiscal year (he estimated about $850,000 at the time of the meeting) even though the proposed 2026 budget included a planned deficit of roughly $1.1 million. Donovan said much of the difference stems from conservative revenue assumptions, contingencies and timing of receipts and payments.

The council voted to adopt Resolution 2025‑26 (the new weighted fund‑balance policy) by roll call. All voting members present — Council Members Bliss, Franklin, Smith, Alexander, Hickson Shepherd, Hasslemeyer and Mayor Arnold — voted yes.

What happens next: Donovan and staff will prepare a timeline and recommended uses for balances above the 35% floor and bring those proposals to council for approval. The policy change does not alter legally restricted funds (for example, capital, stormwater or Prop W‑designated funds) and does not authorize any automatic spending.

“This is a plan to allow us to pause, think about projects, and then bring them to the council for approval,” Donovan said.

For the public: the council pulled the fund‑balance resolution out of the consent agenda so members could discuss it in public; the measure passed in the regular meeting that followed the work session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Webster Groves Council Meeting 06/03/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Webster Groves City Council voted unanimously June 3 to lower the city’s general‑fund reserve target from 50% to 35% of planned expenditures, a change staff says will free one‑time funds for capital projects while maintaining a multi‑month cushion.","taxTitle","Webster Groves, St. Louis County, Missouri","taxId",58418,"location","Missouri","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6129609,"Council appoints two residents to planning and adjustment boards after brief interviews",138,26000,164000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5746206-a3f5b170471a8d619e30ef84c8aaa091&start=26&end=164","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5746206-a3f5b170471a8d619e30ef84c8aaa091/thumbnail_26000.jpg","/articles/6129609/Missouri/Council-appoints-two-residents-to-planning-and-adjustment-boards-after-brief-interviews","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129609-e668dcca78f5f346b8c3366d639ff28a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223275&Signature=nKHtSKYuTdWIT5EXjx-1K1VwRUvY~GpjzvsIML9LWyzcp98R~0o8fl0rZEWknBHkoktRMmMEAxhzLsh9l3skhx421nbKhisfmEWoqWcJwgXmYuybLPKzVkoTvmY~7HAGGfGE~WWHEQdbi3UnA7D1ScTSkN6aLS0~arfaWJh7wd~BX-ltOsE6~BZwqP2u4lfvgOKQ0KRMKWGRMwC7VA9feq5a1G2AHJUiDvijgiwnQ9IfWlmvq6svO2xtlwHTshgdzz53y6fxSnevfGstC1byXPhWWCbtMKH73s0UxW-k4LHWyIvR8aotxF8rRXvj7lwQl~tBR25Fs0d7TL4fap1DqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Webster Groves — After brief interviews during a June 3 work session, the Webster Groves City Council appointed Jennifer Gates to the Board of Adjustment and Andrew Moses to the Planning Commission.

Jennifer Gates, a resident of Webster Groves for eight years and a design‑firm owner, introduced herself during the board‑and‑commission interview and said she volunteers with local PTOs and finance work at her church and wanted to “volunteer with the community using my professional skills.”

Andrew Moses, who described five years of residence in Webster Groves and about a decade of commercial real‑estate experience, said he was motivated to serve because he is ‘‘passionate about real estate growth and development and thoughtful and careful planning.” He noted he lives in south Webster and that his family includes children in the local schools.

Both candidates appeared at the council work session; the mayor said the council would appoint them during the regular meeting. At the close of the regular session the council announced the appointments and instructed the city clerk to follow up on next steps.

No substantive objections or alternate nominations were recorded in the public minutes. The city clerk, Katie Nakazano, will contact both appointees with orientation and scheduling details.

What this means: Gates will serve on the Board of Adjustment and Moses on the Planning Commission; any future recusals or conflicts will be handled per existing board rules and state law.","Jennifer Gates and Andrew Moses were interviewed at the June 3 work session and were appointed during the regular meeting to the Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission, respectively. Council will confirm appointments and city clerk will follow up with next steps.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6129614,"New Webster Groves Aquatic Center draws heavy use in first 10 days; city reports higher revenue and some parking strains",301,4490000,4791000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5746206-a3f5b170471a8d619e30ef84c8aaa091&start=4490&end=4791","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5746206-a3f5b170471a8d619e30ef84c8aaa091/thumbnail_4490000.jpg","/articles/6129614/Missouri/New-Webster-Groves-Aquatic-Center-draws-heavy-use-in-first-10-days-city-reports-higher-revenue-and-some-parking-strains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129614-ee3203ff94f20df8c34de4d0a4f41d55/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223275&Signature=FjaDwmQt~vIeyjb-F1FSRp4almuuLLSXPdgUzDQJtybFX70cHUr94bMGNKsFU140t1M0yeCHgR8NHvOCtIeDWXx7TFvFW7nryDWeuq0Z-rEKJgxHTge-TAJvt8aw7GNrE2QRmFi-Kf5IFLAZsXeyRCxAIUaPv5rOEP2OXdGSm-0RAcWYhvM3xUasZc7Tz7beYl5aFWlSzPCqEduHiWUZlO4qNVyYqxhOZpjYaudQ4lEElLzQxI82PnUc2oTmZKFWT2KEKhn6ZZ1mzYDmMpwd1Nc8eBUOVBtgJGhqGUu0nTBzasGT1aldxSaJGWbJt-LYYQoeB-m70xT8BUY-H9ZNoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Webster Groves — City staff reported significantly higher attendance and revenue during the first 10 days of operations at the newly opened Webster Groves Aquatic Center, while public safety officials said they addressed parking and access issues during a busy opening weekend.

Parks and Recreation Director James Boyd told the council that, despite two weather‑related closures during the first 10 days, the facility logged a 66% increase in membership check‑ins compared with the same period last year and a 68% rise in total revenue. “We have had 3,677 membership scans this year compared with 2,213 in the first 10 days of 2024,” Boyd said. He reported $49,946.74 in gross receipts for the first 10 days of 2025 versus $29,679.75 in 2024.

Other headline numbers Boyd provided: resident ID scans rose to 2,321 (from 1,962); concession items sold rose to roughly 6,000 (from 4,474), producing $18,616.75 in concession revenue; total facility check‑ins were 5,998 versus 4,175 the prior year. Boyd also noted reusable/sustainability efforts: 677 recyclable cups collected and 138 souvenir‑cup refills recorded.

Assistant Police Chief Eric Weimer said the police department has a proactive schedule of hourly walkthroughs and planned increased presence at the pool on weekends to engage the public and monitor safety. He said officers responded to parking congestion during a high‑school track meet that coincided with a busy pool weekend and that enforcement actions included issuing tickets; the department stopped short of towing vehicles so emergency apparatus could reach calls. Weimer reported the department supported emergency responses to two medical incidents at the track: a seizure and a heat‑related issue.

Boyd credited staff and volunteers for the quick ramp up and said teams continue to make operational adjustments — comparing the opening to “moving into a new home” and rearranging as they learn where changes are needed.

Council members praised the staff work and asked residents for patience while crew and public safety fine‑tune operations. Mayor Laura Arnold and Council Member Davis (remarks recorded in the meeting) noted the project came in under budget, freeing Prop W dollars for other projects.

What residents should know: the pool was closed two days shortly after opening because of inclement weather; the city asks drivers to be mindful of narrow residential streets near the recreation center and to consider walking or alternate transport on busy days. Staff said they will adjust parking and traffic management for major concurrent events to reduce conflicts.

The council did not take any direct spending action at the meeting; staff will continue operational adjustments and return with any recommendations that require council approval.","Parks and recreation staff reported strong attendance and revenues in the first 10 days after the Webster Groves Aquatic Center opened. Membership and concession sales rose sharply from last year; police and parks staff said weekend parking around a concurrent track event created temporary access and enforcement issues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Webster Groves council adopts change to fund‑balance target, lowering floor from 50% to 35%

Council appoints two residents to planning and adjustment boards after brief interviews

New Webster Groves Aquatic Center draws heavy use in first 10 days; city reports higher revenue and some parking strains