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St. Louis County officials say budget bills not yet reviewed; veto remains possible
Summary
Officials said proposed budget bills were released late and that county staff and department heads have not had time to review them; they warned that cuts could reduce services and said veto remains an option.
St. Louis County officials told reporters they had not yet reviewed proposed budget bills that have circulated in public descriptions and said the administration needs time to read and analyze the measures before commenting on impacts.
Doctor Page said his office had not seen the bills and that descriptions circulating publicly have led to concern, but he emphasized the county needs to read the legislation to understand its effects. "Sometimes the bills don't do what people think they do," he said, and added that it would take a day or two for the administration to form a position.
Reporters asked whether a veto was still an option. Doctor Page said veto remains possible, explaining that the county could return the budget to the council for adjustments or accept reduced services and later request supplemental appropriations. When pressed on process, the officials noted the council changed the budget calendar in previous years and that department heads have sought greater transparency and engagement in the process.
Doctor Cunningham, Director of Public Health, said she had not been consulted before the public description of cuts and described the process as "chaotic," noting department heads need clear notice to plan, propose revenue solutions and protect essential services. Cunningham and Page both warned that cuts to public-health programs and public-safety staffing would have real consequences for services.
Officials also discussed recent revenue changes tied to the health department's Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) designation: Cunningham said the department generated $2,400,000 in revenue in 2023 after improving billing and coding, and she said the designation should increase revenue in coming months as contracts are renegotiated. Doctor Page said the designation "will get us at least 6, but more likely another $10,000,000 a year in revenue to the health department," a projection discussed in the briefing that should be verified against official budget documents.
County staff said they will review the bills when provided and outline what services would need to be reduced if the board finalizes cuts. Doctor Page said a veto remains among the administration’s options depending on council action.
