St. Louis County Council is clashing with County Executive Sam Page over the future of short- and long-term funding for projects
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Two of the most powerful Democrats in St. Louis County government are at odds over funding.
County Executive Sam Page is asking the Legislature to raise taxes to pay for a new $562 million courthouse. But first, City Council President Sharonda Webb (D-4th District) wants to lift a hold on federal pandemic funds to pay for projects in her area of North County.
The two leaders brought up their favorite projects to the press and painted two stark pictures. One spoke of deferred maintenance leaving government buildings in disrepair, and the other spoke of abandoned, impoverished, hungry and desperate communities in need.
Page presented a series of options to the Legislature during a tour of the county courthouse in Clayton last week. He suggested it would likely cost taxpayers $175 million to pay for deferred maintenance and bring the old building into compliance with local codes, but said it would likely cost taxpayers $175 million “after a bad day.” He cautioned against “throwing away good money.”
“This is probably not the best building for the future workforce,” he says.
Page said another option would be for the City Council to approve a ballot question asking voters to raise taxes by about $69 a year to fund new construction of a modern facility.
“Unfortunately, the County Council has not yet brought this matter to a vote,” Page said last week. “Without a vote, without a bond advisor, we cannot move forward to put this issue before voters in 2024.”
Webb balked at the idea of raising taxes during a period of inflation, especially with the county not fulfilling some of its promises to provide federal pandemic relief funds to local organizations.
“I'm a real painter,” Webb told reporters during one of four stops on a tour of the district Tuesday morning.
“Our population has been declining for years,” she said. “People in the community are losing hope.”
Desperation and demand make the funds available to fix everything seem small, but the county's share of federal pandemic relief funds will help crisis counselors provide battered women with protection and safe haven from their abusers. provided a critical lifeline to social welfare programs like JADASA, a nonprofit organization that provides
The charity has secured a $25,000 allocation from the county council, but Page's office has not yet signed the contract. Webb argues that Page's delays are putting women at risk.
“Anytime women and victims of domestic violence cannot receive the services they need because organizations lack funding, they are at risk,” she said Tuesday morning.
Other upgrades also await Page's signature. For example, $11 million to help demolish abandoned properties, $5 million to incentivize developers to build food production capacity in food deserts, and free food for seniors who farm. This includes $250,000 to promote Rustic Roots Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization that provides The struggle with mobility.
“I'm looking for some civility from him,” Webb said. “County executives have been holding these contracts hostage for six months.”
Asked to explain the delay in closing the deal, Mr. Page's office would not provide any information on the record. Rather, the spokesperson said the two separate projects are unrelated.
“The county executive has never linked Project Cornerstone to ARPA funding for community organizations,” spokesman Doug Moore said in an email.
But the week before, Mr. Page appeared to connect the two, suggesting that people should do their best projects first.
“We need a building to provide services. We need a place for the public to interact with us. We need a place for our employees to work,” Page said. “If we can address these big underlying issues, then we can move on to other questions like how can we deliver other new programs, new services, things that have historically not been the role of county government.”
In past budget battles, the Page administration has suggested it needs more people to scrutinize contracts and properly oversee each item's cost to avoid being reversed by the federal government.
“I'm sorry, but I can't buy that,” Webb said. “I'm sorry, but you can't buy that, because you have the ability to spend $90,000 and create a logo.”
Mr. Webb, who faces a major test in August, described Mr. Page's political maneuvering as a ruthless, ruthless and calculating tactic. She feels he is using the community's sense of desperation to pressure her into voting hard for a new government building tax increase in her election year.
“Sometimes people like to take things slowly until they see a benefit,” she says. “All he has to do is sign the contract.”
“The longer we wait, the worse it gets,” Webb said. “It starts with keeping your promises, which is something we don't do. It starts with taking care of your vulnerable. It starts with keeping your promises.”
