Saint Charles County Council reviewed the administration's recommended 2027 budget (including a 10% general-fund reserve, modest sales-tax growth forecasts, 2% merit and 1% COLA raises), discussed creation of an Office of Detainee Risk Assessment and jail mental-health docket, heard extended public comment about proposed Castlegate Estates rezoning and resident relocation timelines, and introduced bills including changes to license-plate-reader rules (Bill 5544).

Discussion Points

•17 ARPA positions moved to general fund, including 14 SROs.
•Administration proposes 10% reserve, 2% merit, 1% COLA, and no ARPA carryover into 2027.
•Developer says many homeowners have month-to-month tenures and will be offered assistance and up to 120 days; residents say notices were short and not universally translated.
•DOJ grant of $620,000 will provide technology and equipment funding to police department.
•Drop boxes scheduled for Dec. 8–30; no cash accepted; boxes secured and monitored with pickup at least weekly.
•Final-passage bills included insurance-rate ordinances and intergovernmental agreements.
•Judges to convene a mental-health docket to address evaluation backlogs.
•Law enforcement described restrictive policies requiring case numbers and RIC review and emphasized investigative benefits in homicide and violent-crime cases.
•Office to report to Director of Administration and use two transferred positions.
•Public commenters urged a warrant requirement and short retention or ban for LPR data.
•Residents described heavy moving costs, seniors and disabled people with limited options, and asked council to require owner funding or an extension until July 1.
•Sales-tax-driven general fund (≈58%) with modest 2026–27 growth assumptions.
•Schools likely to be required to assume SRO funding starting fall 2027.

Decisions

•Bill introduced and scheduled for a future vote (no final action this meeting).
•Bill introduced; no action taken this meeting.
•Bills 5537, 5538, 5539 and 5540 passed on roll-call votes; Resolution 26-12 adopted.

Directions

•Administration to coordinate with judges and the Attorney General’s office on the mental-health docket.
•Council requested detailed documentation of the $21 million in cuts and deeper analysis of pay and retention options.
•Council to continue discussion with police and legal staff; consider retention period adjustments and access controls.
•Council to invite elected school officials to further budget discussions.
•Council to review documentation before the next meeting and consider tabling if residents' concerns are not addressed.
•County communications will publicize the locations and procedures; staff to bring box pictures to the next meeting as requested.
•Developer to provide a written timeline of outreach/notice and documentation of relocation assistance.
•Possible amendments to require warrants for certain searches to be evaluated.

Nov

November 09, 2026, Work Session and Council Meeting 11/09/2026

The St. Charles County Council is scheduled to hold a budget work session at 5:30 p.m. followed by its regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. on November 9, 2026, in Council Chambers; agenda items include the 2027 recommended county budget, multiple contract and purchase approvals, several change orders (including a $15.8 million Paric item), appointments, resolutions, and several bills for final passage and introduction.

Discussion Points

•Acceptance of federal grant funds and authorization of a $620,000 budget adjustment to the Police Department.
•Establishing 2027 insurance carriers and rate-setting for employees, elected officials, and retirees.
•Introduction of a draft ordinance to set ALPR data‑maintenance requirements; specifics expected in attached bill text.
•Large dollar adjustment for corrections renovation via Change Order No. 3 with Paric.
•Presentation of the recommended 2027 budget as provided in the attached packet.
•Two credited change orders for earlier professional services and owner's rep work reduce prior obligations by listed amounts.

Nov

Board of the Regional Medical Examiner Agenda (PDF)

The Board of the Regional Medical Examiner is scheduled to meet Nov. 5, 2026, via Zoom to review the RMEO third-quarter 2026 financial report and consider other business.

Nov

Domestic Violence Board Meeting Documents (PDF)

The St. Charles County Domestic Violence Board is scheduled to review applications from three local service providers and discuss and vote on funding allocations at its Nov. 5, 2026, meeting in Admin Room 115.

Discussion Points

•Board discussion and formal vote on funding allocations among applicants.
•Presentations by Centerstone Preferred Family Healthcare, Alive and Turning Point to support their funding applications.
•Public comment period scheduled before the board’s review and vote.

Oct

Are you looking for accessible voting options? ♿

An agency official from the election authority described accessible voting options for seniors in St. Charles County, including ballot marking devices at every polling place and curbside voting from the election office with designated parking and a phone number. Staff explained the curbside process and that the ballot-marking machines print a paper ballot that is scanned like all other ballots.

Discussion Points

•Accessibility options are available for seniors including ballot-marking devices and curbside voting.
•Ballot-marking devices print a paper ballot that is scanned like other paper ballots.
•Curbside voting is available at every polling place; the office has designated parking spots and a phone number to request curbside assistance.

Directions

•Voters who need curbside assistance are encouraged to come to the election authority office and call the number listed on signage.

Oct

October 28, 2026, Master Plan Steering Committee Regular Meeting Agenda (PDF). Minutes

The St. Charles County Master Plan Steering Committee met Sept. 23, 2026 to review public feedback on the May 5 draft, discuss a proposed 2035 Future Land Use map (including a staff-proposed 16% reduction in the Urban Service Area), hear Duckett Creek Sanitary District infrastructure constraints, and plan next steps ahead of an October meeting.

Discussion Points

•District expansion is phased; funding model depends on development served by new plant.
•District used 2.5 homes/acre assumption for sizing; observed development around 3 homes/acre.
•Emphasis on rural-by-design, protecting tree canopy (District 2), preserving wine-country identity, and considering larger-lot zoning.
•Members proposed developers be responsible for roadway improvements and suggested impact fees as a funding mechanism.
•Staff confirmed Master Plan will be completed before UDO revisions.
•Staff reported a 16% reduction in Urban Service Area for 2035; members questioned calculation and boundary methodology.
•Staff summarized ~70 written public comments; key themes: rural preservation, tree canopy, oppose higher-density, concerns about using sewer availability to set density.
•Transportation capacity and safety should be considered when identifying growth areas.

Decisions

•No formal policy decisions; minutes approved and meeting scheduled.

Directions

•Schedule next meeting for Oct. 28; staff/consultant to provide revised draft a week before.
•Staff to correct the draft map's sanitary sewer overlay and consider District timeline in revisions.
•Staff to document methodology, boundary definitions, and municipal commitments in the revised draft.
•Staff to incorporate rural-preservation priorities and consider reframing recommendations as strategies.
•Staff to review comments and prepare revisions to the draft Master Plan.
•Staff to review inclusion of impact fees and strengthen transportation analysis in the revised draft.

Oct

Master Plan Steering Committee Regular Meeting Agenda (PDF)

The Master Plan Steering Committee is scheduled to review and discuss the October 16, 2026 draft of the Envision St. Charles County Master Plan at a public meeting on October 28, 2026; public comment on the plan is being collected through separate opportunities rather than at this meeting.

Discussion Points

•Committee members are to review and discuss the October 16, 2026 draft of the Envision St. Charles County Master Plan.
•Public comment on the Master Plan is being collected through separate outreach opportunities rather than at this meeting.

Oct

October 26, 2026, Council Meeting 10/26/2026 . Minutes

At its Oct. 26, 2026 regular meeting, the St. Charles County Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of St. Charles, cleared a consent agenda that included several multi‑year contracts and highway work, heard multiple public commenters urging action on homelessness (including a proposed community forum Dec. 7), and received introductions for four new bills including a $620,000 DOJ grant for police technology and equipment.

Discussion Points

•Call for a community forum on homelessness proposed for Dec. 7, 2026.
•Claims of ~900 people experiencing homelessness in the St. Charles area and provider funding shortfalls.
•Claim that 287(g) agreements increased violent crime by 22% and deter community members from contacting police.
•Introductions of four bills covering insurance rates, interagency MOU, DOJ grant with $620,000 budget adjustment, and public-health lab portal access.
•Multiple procurement and appointment items approved on consent with stated vendor names and dollar amounts.
•No discussion recorded during final passage; roll-call vote recorded.
•Questioning of an appointment (Chief Kurt Frisz) to the Commission on Housing Assistance raised during public comment.

Decisions

•Bill No. 5536 approved by roll-call vote (6‑1, 1 absent)
•Consent agenda approved unanimously by present council members.

Oct

St. Charles County Council Meeting 10.26.26

St. Charles County Council met Oct. 26. Public commenters urged a community forum and raised homelessness, racial-profiling, and alleged misconduct concerns; the council approved an intergovernmental cost‑share for Apricot Drive and introduced four bills including a $620,000 DOJ grant for police technology.

Discussion Points

•Administration will turn budget over to council in November.
•Andrews relayed a complainant's account of alleged intimidation, camera tampering and interference with police investigations.
•Andrews stated the material was hearsay and speculation.
•A speaker suggested bringing custodial services in‑house to save 30%–40%.
•Bill 5537 sets 2027 group medical insurance rates with insurers named.
•Bill 5539 would authorize DOJ grant acceptance and a $620,000 budget adjustment for police technology.
•Chair called for roll call and declared passage.
•Clerk read ordinance language for Bill 5536.
•Public comment questioned $304,000 elevator maintenance, $1,039,000 path improvements, and a $3,800,000 custodial contract for Family Arena.
•Reverend Clary Rice proposed a Dec. 7 community forum for clergy and providers.
•Speakers described firsthand experiences and capacity shortfalls at regional shelters.
•Work session scheduled for Nov. 9 at 5:30 p.m. to present budget highlights.

Decisions

•Bill 5536 approved
•Schedule Nov. 9 work session at 5:30 p.m.

Directions

•Administration to present budget highlights at Nov. 9 work session.

Oct

October 26, 2026, Council Meeting 10/26/2026

St. Charles County Council is scheduled to consider a consent agenda of procurement contracts and appointments, several road and transportation contracts, and a slate of bills including a cost-share pavement agreement and multiple introductions at its Oct. 26, 2026 regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the County Executive Building Council Chambers.

Oct

October 21, 2026, Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting Agenda. Minutes

The St. Charles County Planning and Zoning Commission on July 15, 2026, recommended approval of two conditional use permits for commercial uses, approved a rezoning and a preliminary plat (with a shared-driveway waiver) for a 6.71-acre property, and received updates on the Master Plan, moratoria and the county's voluntary buyout program.

Discussion Points

•Applicant confirmed proposed Type II landscape buffer.
•County Council enacted temporary moratoria: an apartment moratorium and a six-month moratorium on large data centers (>100,000 sq ft).
•Local Voluntary Buyout Program extending a buyout zone to Avon Place.
•No public comments were received.
•Owner indicated the parcel may be sold if CUP not approved.
•Public comment open through July 20, 2026 on the May 5 draft Master Plan.
•Rezoning consistent with future land use plan and surrounding area.
•Site is in the Density Floodway Overlay and requires a flood-evacuation plan at site-plan review.
•Staff described site plan (sales office, detailing shed, up to 35 vehicles) and recommended approval.
•Staff reported the draft Future Land Use Map reduces the Urban Service Area by 16% from the 2030 Master Plan.
•Waiver for shared driveway supported because constructing a cul-de-sac for two lots would be unnecessary.

Decisions

•Commission recommended approval of CUP26-05, subject to staff conditions.
•Commission recommended approval subject to staff conditions; site-plan review will address flood-evacuation measures.
•Commission recommended rezoning and approved the preliminary plat with a shared-driveway waiver (approval contingent on rezoning).

Directions

•Staff to compile public comments and Steering Committee input for potential revisions.

Oct

October 20, 2026, Council Work Session. Minutes

The St. Charles City Council met in a work session on Oct. 20, 2026, at City Hall. The council voted unanimously to adjourn into a closed session under provisions of RSMo 610.021 and later adjourned the open portion of the work session at 7:00 p.m.

Discussion Points

•Attendance recorded for full council; motion and second to adjourn open session recorded.
•Council approved moving into closed session under listed RSMo exemptions.

Decisions

•Adjourn into closed session; closed portion adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
•Open portion adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Oct

No Excuse Absentee Voting Opens Oct. 20!

Officials and participants discussed Missouri's in-person no-excuse absentee voting: how it works, how it differs from traditional absentee ballots, identification requirements and timing (first four weeks vs. the final two weeks).

Discussion Points

•Presenter said Missouri has offered in-person no-excuse absentee voting for four years and that voters can appear without giving a reason during the late early-voting window.
•Presenter said requests for a mail ballot or voting during the first four weeks require the voter to state one of six reasons.

Oct

St. Charles County Council Meeting 10.13.26

The Saint Charles County Council met on Tuesday, October 13 to recognize the 2026 Missouri State Fair Queen, receive a $25,000 donation from the 505 Foundation for police training, hear several public-comment appeals (including calls to ban license-plate readers and to repeal a 287(g) agreement), approve four ordinances by roll call, and introduce one intergovernmental agreement for later consideration.

Discussion Points

•$525,000 park toilet cost criticized as excessive.
•Allegations of false arrests and wrongful detention tied to automated license-plate readers.
•Allegations of poor conditions and a detainee death at Sainte Genevieve detention facility.
•Call for repeal of the 287(g) agreement linking local law enforcement and ICE.
•Council moved quickly through final-passage bills with little or no discussion recorded; roll-call votes recorded as all present voting yes.
•Council praised Bauer's agricultural background and role as an ambassador for Missouri agriculture.
•Foundation donated $25,000 and has donated $76,538 over six years; funds used to buy ~800 sq. ft. of reconfigurable mobile training walls for simunitions training.
•Proposal to require three bids for contracts over $5,000 and to audit contractor awards.
•Request to ban Flock, Genetech and Motorola cameras in county jurisdiction.

Decisions

•Bills 5532–5535 passed on final reading; Bill 5536 introduced.
•Resolution 26-11 adopted recognizing Tess Bauer as Missouri State Fair Queen.

Directions

•Foundation to coordinate with police for use of equipment.

Oct

October 13, 2026, City Council Work Session. Minutes

Saint Charles City Council convened Oct. 13, 2026, for a work session focused on the proposed 2027 operating budget, a Foundry Art Centre performance update and growth plan, a possible accessory dwelling unit (ADU) policy, and an overview of police camera technology including Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs). Council instructed staff to develop an ADU policy and will consider an intergovernmental agreement on county-operated ALPR data sharing at a future meeting.

Discussion Points

•ADU framework covering zoning, site standards, parking and owner‑occupancy
•Formal adjournment motion and unanimous approval
•Foundry Art Centre 2026 performance and operational audit findings
•Overview of ALPR technology, auditing, data retention and access controls
•Presentation and high‑level review of the 2027 operating budget and five‑year forecast

Decisions

•Consensus to proceed with drafting policy
•Meeting adjourned

Directions

•Staff to develop proposed ADU policy and regulations for council consideration
•Staff to draft new event policies and procedures and return to council for consideration
•Staff to prepare detailed appropriation and ordinance language for future meetings
•Staff to present proposed intergovernmental agreement to govern county‑owned ALPR data shared via the RIIC

Oct

October 06, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting. Minutes

Regular City Council meeting of the City of Saint Charles on Oct. 6, 2026, where council approved multiple ordinances and conditional use permits, heard several rezoning/annexation hearings with resident opposition, and recognized firefighters for securing federal grants.

Discussion Points

•Council discussed multiple ordinances and budget adjustments; no extended debate recorded in the minutes.
•Public Advocate requested no games of chance be allowed; council adopted standard CU conditions but minutes do not show council formally adopting a games-of-chance prohibition beyond noting the request.
•Public Advocate requested no games of chance; council approved conditional use but minutes do not show an explicit games-of-chance restriction being adopted beyond the request.
•Residents raised flooding concerns and opposed rezoning; applicant presented in favor.

Decisions

•Conditional use and liquor license approved; outdoor music restricted to 11:00 a.m. or later.
•Conditional use approved with enumerated conditions; liquor license approved separately.
•Multiple ordinances approved and approved by mayor on Oct. 8, 2026.
•No final zoning decision at the hearing; council will consider ordinance in a future meeting.

Directions

•Staff to prepare legislation for council consideration.

Oct

October 06, 2026, Council Work Session. Minutes

The St. Charles City Council convened for an Oct. 6, 2026 work session, voted to go into closed session under Missouri law, and later adjourned the open portion by unanimous vote. The session was held in City Hall Conference Room A and the city clerk performed official duties.

Discussion Points

•Attendance and clerk presence confirmed
•Closed portion adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
•Motion by Michael Galba to adjourn the open portion, seconded by ANDER, passed unanimously
•Vote to enter closed session under RSMo 610.021(1), (3), (13)

Decisions

•Entered closed session pursuant to RSMo 610.021(1), 610.021(3) and 610.021(13)
•Open portion adjourned by unanimous vote

Sep

Q&A with Kurt Bahr about Nov. 3, 2026 General Election

Kevin Killeen interviewed Kurt Barr, Saint Charles County director of elections, about preparations for the Nov. 3 election: court rulings on congressional maps, expected turnout and early-voting patterns, accessibility options, local ballot measures (including a special election in St. Charles City Ward 4), and election-day operations and reporting timelines.

Discussion Points

•Ambulance-district tax question
•Approximately 800 election workers across 104 polling places
•Chain-of-custody and bipartisan checks for transport cabinets
•County followed state supreme court instruction to use 2022 map for November ballots
•Court litigation over which congressional map to use for ballots
•Curbside voting process explained (bipartisan judges bring ballots to car)
•Estimated 20% of voters will cast ballots before election day via in-person no-excuse absentee voting
•Every polling place will have ballot-marking devices with audio
•Fire-district tax question
•Mail-ballot request deadlines and cautions about last-minute requests
•Polls open at 6 a.m.; election workers arrive at 5 a.m.
•Projected 70% turnout (approx. 200,000 voters)
•Special election in Saint Charles City Ward 4 to replace Scott Shipman
•Three school-district tax/bond questions
•Typical election-night reporting begins ~8PM and often completes by ~10PM

Decisions

•Use 2022 congressional map for Nov. 3 ballots in St. Charles County

Sep

September 28, 2026, Council Meeting 9/28/2026. Media

St. Charles County Council heard public comment focused on homelessness and shelter proposals, received an update on a regional law-enforcement training center grant, heard a presentation from the regional medical examiner about caseloads and morgue capacity, approved a Family Arena naming-rights contract, and passed a slate of ordinances and intergovernmental agreements.

Discussion Points

•Multiple items passed with limited debate; staff clarified grant scopes and case-by-case billing for regional services.
•No formal council response or action recorded.
•Performance reporting will be provided and staff can terminate if unsatisfied.
•Plans to be submitted to City of Chesterfield for approval; construction anticipated if approved by year-end.
•Project has hired owner’s rep, architect and construction manager.
•Public commenter presented petitions and urged ordinance or charter amendment.
•Regional office accepted jurisdiction over 1,071 deaths in 2025 and reviews many more reports.
•Reverend Rice offered donated plans and estimated a 100-unit facility would cost ~$6,000,000.
•Speakers urged county to identify sites and funding for emergency shelter and to prefer trauma-informed, sober housing over motels.
•The office relies on St. Louis County morgue (64-body capacity) and shares administrative staff across counties.
•Three-phase contract structure (planning fee, retainer, commission).

Decisions

•Bills 5526–5531 passed
•Contract approved

Sep

St. Charles County Council Meeting 9.28.26

Public comment focused on homelessness and a regional police training center; the council approved a Family Arena naming-rights contract and passed several ordinances and grants. Staff presented on the regional medical examiner's office capacity and timelines.

Discussion Points

•Average family timeline for death-certificate completion ~12 weeks; toxicology can take 6–8 weeks or longer.
•Clerk conducted roll calls for each bill and the clerk announced each bill as passed.
•Commenters described gaps in services, unsafe motel conditions and the need for trauma-informed housing and wraparound services.
•Contract structure: $22,000 planning fee; $7,500/month retainer during outreach; 12.5% commission on secured revenue.
•Council sought performance reporting and termination terms; staff said the county may terminate if dissatisfied.
•McCarter described $50,000,000 grant backing the project and expected timeline for submitting plans to Chesterfield.
•McCarter reported purchase of 23 acres in Chesterfield and hiring of owner's representative, architect, and construction manager.
•Office accepted jurisdiction in 2025 for 1,071 cases; reviewed over 4,600 reported deaths.
•Regional morgue capacity (Saint Louis County) is 64 bodies without double stacking, and shared services exist across three counties.
•Rice offered free shelter plans and consulting and estimated the facility cost at about $6,000,000 for a 100-unit dormitory-style building.
•Transcript records one recorded 'No' vote by Councilman Brazzell on Bill 55-30; other individual roll-call votes were recorded as 'Yes' by various council members but the transcript does not list full named tallies in every case.

Decisions

•Approved contract with Superlative Group during consent agenda vote.
•Bills 55-26 through 55-31 passed on final passage.

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