ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – St. Louis County Executive Sam Page wants to use $59 million in Rams settlement funds to help cover a growing deficit in next year’s budget.
St. Louis County faces a $61 million hole in its general funds, up from a $38 million deficit originally predicted. Page also expects a $20 million shortfall in the health fund.
Several factors are contributing to the growing deficit, including a pay boost for police and county workers, the cost of next year’s elections, leasing space for county department and a decrease in the expected tax revenue from marijuana sales.
In a letter Page wrote Wednesday to St. Louis County council members, he says “In the interim, to maintain services while we pursue structural solutions, we must transfer $59 million from the NFL Settlement Fund into the General Revenue, Health, and Park Maintenance funds. This provides a small window of time to make thoughtful choices while preserving $75 million from the settlement for future needs.”
Page said that his recommended overall budget would reflect a $100.7 million decrease, or 8.4% decrease from 2025.
For a closer look at the letter and St. Louis County’s recommended business plan for 2026, click here.
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