STL Consolidation: Follow Up Thoughts

This was written by Maggie, one of our summer interns. The opinions expressed herein do not reflect those of Civitas other than respect for the value of open dialogue.

In 1876, the county of St. Louis separated from the city and they are still separated today. Earlier this year, an initiative called Better Together proposed a merger for the city and county, including plans to consolidate police and fire departments while unifying municipal courts and economic development. Currently, the city and county includes 90 independent municipalities, 81 municipal courts, and 57 police departments. Also, this proposal was mostly funded by a billionaire, Rex Sinquefield. It would have required a constitutional amendment to create this new kind of government for all of the current municipalities and also for merging the city and county.

In the Webster Groves news of summer of 2019, Mayor Gerry Welch, an experienced economist, wrote, “while Better Together has withdrawn its initial 25-page amendment to the Missouri constitution, we cannot be lulled into complacency about the organization or about the issues in the St. Louis region. Here is what we know.

• There will soon be the formation of a Board of Freeholders that will spend a year in open and transparent discussion about changing the structure of government in St. Louis to solve some of our problems and provide for increased effectiveness in government decisions. Hopefully that group will give the public ample opportunities to provide input.
• Better Together is not gone. The organization which has been and is amply funded continues under a new executive director. Its plans are not known at this time.”

In other publications, Mayor Welch has stated that the Better Together plan could bring “promising tax cuts and a reduction in staffing, yet promising to keep all employees of the city of St. Louis and the county. Sometimes they say that you will keep a municipal government – although most responsibilities are gone – and other times they say that a municipal district will replace the muni’s.” She also expressed that idea that “without any participation in the Better Together plan, Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Rock Hill – and every other viable city that has been a bedrock of the good life in St. Louis – will be no more. We will be history if their plan passes. The public assets we have paid for, and most of the taxes we have voted for, will no longer belong to Webster Groves but will go to a Metro City. Our police cars, snow plows, equipment and more will be appropriated for a large, new government.” Lastly, Mayor Welch wants everyone to know her thoughts that “people love their communities and make choices to spend money for more police, parks and other services. And when you lump everything together (through consolidation) you lose what makes St. Louis rich — the ability to make our own choices.” As a mayor of a municipality and small town, she is worried about the effects of a proposed merger on its community, economics, and public works. Overall, consolidating the city and county into one would produce drastic changes and may not even out in an equitable way.

    In terms of overall opinion, Civitas conducted some surveys to the general public in order to get a glimpse of what people think about a city county merger. Most people did not support a merger, with many not sure. In terms of how informed survey participants were, the majority were somewhat informed about plans to consolidate St. Louis City and County, and the lowest percentage went to people very well informed. Most survey responses were not in favor of merging school districts or police departments but did support special education reforms, new economic development, a common sales tax throughout the region, and expansion of the MetroLink. A majority did not believe the city and county would each get a fair deal; who would get the better deal was up for debate as well. A great number of city and county residents have strong preferences about what should happen with the future of St. Louis, but we are lacking unity. It will take time, collaboration, and thoughtful discussion to reach a prosperous, equitable outcome.