Merge or Not To Merge

Let me start by saying that I grew up in Chicago and have a very different take on the city/county merger issue that seems to come up every three years. I love living in the St. Louis Metro Region and enjoy the many benefits such as the Zoo, Parks, Symphony, The Rams, The Cardinals, the Ballet, so many great places to eat, the family friendly environs of Ballwin. To name just a scant few of the wealth of activities we enjoy. Much has been written and debated recently on this issue. Even the St. Louis County Republican Central Committee has taken a “no” position. This merger talk is in the short view just a bailout for the city. One can hope that all the money put into this remarriage is based on a longer view.

This is a very complex legal and regional issue and this is just an aerial view. We can drill down on specific issues later. Let me also say that I have mixed views on this issue, and I am certain to offend both camps, which generally do not run along traditional party lines. First, let us be certain we are all talking about the same issue. This is not really a merger, rather an addition to the county of St. Louis city as just another municipality, albeit the largest one. 

In 1876 (interesting anniversary) the “Great Divorce” occurred splitting the City from the county because the people in the city did not want to pay taxes to cover the developing county. This also caused the State of Missouri to change how it defines itself. According to the Missouri State Constitution, Missouri is comprised of 114 counties, in reality the State Constitution states that St. Louis City will act as both a city and a county. Not only would the State have to change the Constitution, the City and County would have to change their charters.

This in turn changes how others define the city, county and the state. St. Louis has fallen currently to the 53rd in US population. By comparison Kansas City is 35th,  but because it is a part of the county, the Kansas City region ranks 29th. If St Louis was a part of the county, the St. Louis region would rank 18th. These numbers are approximate based on which study one reads and when the studies were completed. This would create a better perception of the City, on paper at least to those unfamiliar with the history of the region.

Here we go…Ideally, this second marriage could produce great economic benefit to the region and eventually the whole state. Perception of St. Louis City as the murder capital would end quickly. St. Louis would have a statistical reclassification; thus a drop in our murder/violent crime ranking. This would help the perception of the entire region to those looking for a place to move, invest, build, and create. Also, in theory, economies of scale could be achieved in public services, thus over time potentially reducing tax burden on all. Currently, both the City and County are working on joint job/business growth ventures. The St. Louis region drives the Missouri economy currently. Although, the rate at which has tapered off, with growth in Southwest Missouri gaining ground. This corresponds to the population shift in the last census.

If (a very big if), this works out, the Region would become the overwhelming economic driver of the state. Quickly eclipsing the growth in the south west part of the state and leaving Kansas City in the dust; in effect reversing the population flow back into the St. Louis Region. So, what’s the problem?

In order to accomplish this under current law, several votes need to take place in the same year and even possibly the same election cycle. First, a state wide vote to change the State Constitution would need to take place either by legislative action or state wide referendum. This alone is fraught with serious obstacles. Assuming party politics do not come in to play, which is a very large assumption, as the GOP would never win a county election again…ever. Both houses must agree on the bill in question and the Secretary of State has to place it on the ballot in agreeable ballot language. Believe it or not…that is not the hard part. Why, if the best predictions are accurate, would legislators in Springfield or Kansas City vote in favor? Once on the ballot, the citizens of Missouri must vote for this, which is the same issue as with the legislators. I mention this because the last census data showed a migration of the Missouri population out of the St Louis region and into Kansas City and southwest Missouri. This move could easily reverse that trend. Not to mention a potential lack of consent within the county.

Now for the real issue…..money/taxes! In this remarriage, the county would assume the Parks, Health, Courts, and Arterial roads. Currently just the Health budget for the county is $58,804,300. I am guessing here that St. Louis City will add about a third to the budget items, adding $19,601,433 to that budget. Not bad, if the city is out of the health business and this could create a savings. However, I am sure I am missing something here.

The roads budget paints the best picture. Current budget is $24,600,000 for arterial roads in the county, FYI - Baxter is county maintained because it is an arterial road. The new budget would become roughly $32,800,000…with no real savings. Why? Have you driven on the cities roads? They will have to spend their entire current budget to work on those and leave the others to the county. Neither has a great track record for being efficient or productive in this area. The people of St. Louis City would pay more, not those in the county.

Now for the Courts - St. Louis County will spend, conservatively, $110,000,000 on a new updated county courthouse. I am told that the City courthouse is in much worse shape and would cost much more to update. Add another $150,000,000 to the tax burden.

Finally, here is the real sticking point. The divorce has been going on too long. Having moved here, I am always struck by the vast perception between the city, the 170 belt, 270 belt and then the great beyond…West County. Not to mention the faux pas of ever going across the bridge into St. Charles. Yes, I am being sarcastic…to a point. I had the occasion to testify at the redistricting hearing for the State Reps. My testimony was concerning a plan put out by some members of the commission who are not from this area. One of the State Rep. districts showed Ballwin and Brentwood partially in the same district. I stated that the Mo Constitution stated that the definition required “compact and contiguous”. Clearly this did not meet that definition. I also testified that the people of Brentwood and Ballwin see themselves as living...in another part of the State and not the same “compact and contiguous district”... This drew laughs from Republicans and Democrats alike from the St. Louis region. The point is the people of the city and the divided county do not see themselves as a part of the same community let alone be willing to vote for such.