ST. LOUIS– City officials rolled out a $1.32 billion proposed budget for FY2024, an increase of 7.1%, or $90M over FY2023. 

One of the biggest increases is $25 million for pay and benefit increases for city employees.  Budget Director Paul Payne laid out the budget during this week’s Board of Estimate and Apportionment meeting. The board  includes the mayor, the Board of Aldermen president and the comptroller. 

He explained while major tax revenues are on track to exceed budget estimates for FY 2023, there are signs of weakening in the third quarter and he is not expecting much growth in the next fiscal year. He also warned efforts to control inflation will result in a slowing economy and a slowing of growth in revenue.

Here are some of the other highlights:

  • First responders-$18.5 million in pay raises for police officers per a new labor contract. The proposed budget also includes $7.1 million for firefighters. The proposal also says officer pay has increased in the range of 8% to 13%, making the city department more competitive with neighboring jurisdictions. 

  • Other city employees-expected to see cost-of-living raises and merit raises totaling increases of 4.5%. 

  • The Board of Aldermen-budget is also up $900,000, reflecting the reduction in wards and doubling of aldermen pay to $72,000 a year, among other increases.

  • Circuit Courts-$1.1million in increases to meet employee pay increases and facility maintenance

  • Pensions-$8 million increase in pension costs to the City’s four pension systems

  • Refuse Division-The City is also expecting a 45% increase in the cost of refuse and recycling disposal in FY2024, up $3.6 million to $11.5 million

  • Facility and equipment upkeep-$1.8 million increase to meet rising utility and fleet repair costs

  • Insurance-$2.3 million increase to cover rising insurance cost on City buildings

  • Warning sirens-$3.9 million to begin replacing the City’s Warning Siren System

You can read the entire budget here. St. Louis City residents will give their feedback on the proposed budget Friday at 10 a.m.

There will also be a special Board meeting on April 24 to approve the budget. The budget will then head to the Board of Aldermen as Board Bill 1 to move through the legislative process. 

The Board of Aldermen can vote to remove, but not add, line items from the budget. If approved by the full Board, it will be delivered to Mayor Tishaura Jones’ desk for her signature. If the Board of Aldermen does not pass a budget, the one proposed by the Board of E&A goes into effect, which happened in 2020 and 2021.