The City Council is currently reviewing the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22), which begins July 1, 2021. In developing the annual budget, city staff rely upon a variety of planning documents, including the Comprehensive Plan 2030, the five-year Capital Improvement Plan and the Strategic Plan. The budget is guided by the principles of maintaining high service levels, responding to the needs of residents and businesses, preserving long-term financial stability and providing for well-planned capital investment to preserve infrastructure and facilities. 

General Fund
The city’s General Fund relies heavily on Intergovernmental Revenues, including sales tax (30% of revenues) and utility licenses (37% of revenues), and these revenues sources have essentially been flat for several years. General Fund revenues are expected to decrease 9.4% compared to projected revenues for FY21. Much of this decrease is due to a one-time federal fund, received in FY21 for COVID-related expenses. Operating expenditures are projected to increase 0.8% from what was budgeted in FY21 to $15,480,418.

Capital Improvement Fund
The proposed budget is based on the five-year Capital Improvement Plan adopted by the City Council on April 12. The half-cent capital improvement sales tax is the major funding source, accounting for approximately $1.9 million in projected FY22 revenues. The city has been successful in obtaining approximately $839,000 in grant funding for FY22 capital projects. Proposed Capital Improvement Fund expenses include $4,395,382 for projects.

Parks and Stormwater Sales Tax Fund
Creve Coeur residents approved a half-cent parks and stormwater sales tax in November 2020 to provide funding for local parks and stormwater control in Creve Coeur. The half-cent sales tax took effect on April 1, 2021, and all revenue is dedicated to improving and maintaining local parks and stormwater infrastructure. FY22 revenues are projected to be $1.9 million for one full year.

Municipal Enterprise Fund
The Enterprise Fund includes operations and maintenance of the golf course and ice arena. Operating revenues are projected to decrease by 0.8% to $1,077,259 due to a projected decrease in green fees for FY22. Operating expenses for the Enterprise Fund are anticipated to increase by 5% to $1,168,487 due to an increase in personnel costs.

Public Safety Sales Tax Fund
A countywide half-cent public safety sales tax was approved by voters in 2017. Cities in St. Louis County receive 5/8 of the revenues based on population. These revenues will help offset the increasing cost of providing high quality police services including maintaining required manpower, competitive salaries and benefits, equipment, technology, training, and operating expenses for the new police station. 

The proposed FY22 budget is available online. For questions or comments, please contact Mark Perkins, City Administrator, at (314) 872-2515. Citizens are encouraged to participate in the online public hearing on Monday, May 24, at 7:30 p.m.