Monday, July 23, 2012
The Parks Department will present a business plan to the St. Louis County Council after being the center of the 2012 budget discussion.
St. Louis County officials will hear a business plan for the Parks Department seven months after County Executive Charlie Dooley first threatened to close 23 county parks and lay off more than 170 employees, citing a budget crisis. The meeting will take place Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in the St. Louis County Council conference room at 41 South Central Avenue in Clayton. Members of the county council—led by then-chairman Steve Stenger (D-Affton)—vehemently opposed Dooley’s initial 2012 budget proposal and questioned his office’s claim of a $10 million deficit. Parks activists also protested the closures, leading to several petitions and a rally outside county headquarters in Clayton. After forming a special budget committee, the council and …
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
County Executive Charlie Dooley said all St. Louis County Parks will remain open.
Less than five minutes into Tuesday’s St. Louis County Council meeting, County Executive Charlie Dooley made the announcement that all 23 St. Louis County Parks slated for closure in 2012 will stay open. “The things that we’ve compromised on is that we’re going to leave all of our parks systems open… we will keep the West County satellite office open as well, and we will keep the plowing in unincorporated St. Louis County,” he said. The county executive emphasized a team effort in not only adjusting the 2012 budget, but also looking ahead for long-term solutions to what he originally predicted to be a $26 million budget deficit. “There may be lingering issues in the future about how large a deficit was or wasn’t, or if it exists. Those don…
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
A special committee met Tuesday to brainstorm the 2012 proposed budget.
Two potential alternatives to closing county parks came out of Tuesday’s special budget committee meeting: moving money from the health fund to the parks fund and not filling current vacant positions in the county. (See related story: County Executive and Council Chairman divided over budget) County Council Chairman Steve Stenger formed the committee, headed by District 5 Rep. Mike O’Mara, to suggest alternatives to the proposed 2012 budget. The budget called for the closure of 23 St. Louis County Parks and 173 lay-offs. County Executive Charlie Dooley said the budget reflected a $26 million deficit in 2012. Chief Operating Officer Garry Earls presented the committee with a report that outlined answers to the their questions from the last…
The 2012 budget must be passed before Dec. 31.
Tensions rose Tuesday night at the St. Louis County Council’s second special budget committee meeting when County Executive Charlie Dooley stood by his 2012 proposed budget, which includes the closure of 23 St. Louis County Parks. See related (Committe Discusses Potential Budget Solutions) The budget, which has been largely criticized by County Council Chairman Steve Stenger, also included laying off 173 employees in both the parks and code enforcement division. “Being the chairman of the county council does not give you the knowledge of the county budget in one year,” Dooley said. “You can’t know what you need to know.” Dooley said he hasn’t received anything from Stenger as the chairman. Stenger asked Dooley to elaborate on what he hasn’…
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
A special budget committee met Monday to look at the 2012 recommended St. Louis County budget.
The St. Louis County Council believes the recommended budget could be more accurately estimated to close a $26 million shortfall originally projected for 2012. “We just feel with the history the way the budget is estimated that we can get through this and we’re going to have a sound, balanced budget next year,” said District 4 County Councilman Mike O’Mara. “We just think the estimates will come in in our favor to help out next year’s budget." O’Mara said he thought the budget could be balanced through attrition without majorly affecting any department— holding back on positions that are funded and not filling those positions. The county’s Chief Operating Officer Garry Earls and his department created the forecast that generates figures …
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Nixon announced possible joint management as a solution to Dooley's parks-closing proposals.
The state and the county may be teaming up to save 23 parks, including two swimming pools, a community center and a petting zoo from budget cuts. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced today that the state is discussing joint state-county management of some of the county parks slated to close. The governor’s office offered Lone Elk Park as an example. Because the popular park is adjacent to Castlewood State Park, joint state-county operation could cut costs and keep the park open. “I am committed to working with County Executive (Charlie) Dooley and his team to explore ways we can help keep some of these parks open for Missourians,” Nixon said. Dooley said his office is “committed” to working with Nixon’s administration. Dooley proposed closing…
More than 60 people spoke at the public hearing on the recommended 2012 county budget.
Lily Springer is worried about the animals that live in the 23 St. Louis County Parks slated for closure in the 2012 recommended county budget. The 10-year-old spoke to a crowd of more than 120 at a public hearing Tuesday night that gave residents the opportunity to voice their concerns about the budget. She also brought a petition signed with 241 signatures of adults in favor of saving the parks. “I love the parks,” she said. “Did you ever think about the animals who live there in their natural homes in the parks? Please keep the parks for the children now and in the future.” After speaking, she asked County Executive Charlie Dooley to wear an “I Love Parks” sticker, given out earlier that day at a rally in support of saving the parks. …
Lauren Kopp
5:04 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Parks should not be considered a business but a necessity! more ›