The City Council is currently reviewing the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23), which begins July 1, 2022. 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 (31% of revenues) and utility licenses (32% of revenues), and these revenues sources have essentially been flat for several years. General Fund revenues are expected to decrease 2.93% compared to projected revenues for FY22. This decrease is primarily due to exceptionally high building permit fees in FY22. Operating expenditures are projected to increase 10% from what was budgeted in FY22 to $16,154,154. This increase is primarily due to the large number of personnel vacancies in FY22, as personnel services comprise approximately 71% of the General Fund budget.
The City received half of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in FY22 and will receive the other half in FY23. The ARPA funds are one-time revenues tentatively reserved for capital investments to be identified by the City Council.
Capital Improvement Fund
The proposed budget is based on the five-year Capital Improvement Plan adopted by the City Council on April 11. The half-cent capital improvement sales tax is the major funding source, accounting for approximately $2.2 million in projected FY23 revenues. Proposed Capital Improvement Fund expenses include $4,981,931 for projects, offset approximately $1,448,346 by grant funding.
Parks and Stormwater 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. All revenue is dedicated to improving and maintaining local parks and stormwater infrastructure. Significant projects planned for FY23 include $1.6 million for Millennium Park improvements and $200,000 for a stormwater management study. FY23 sales tax revenues are projected to be $2.5 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 3% to $1,225,730. This decrease is projected due to businesses re-opening and other entertainment options returning. Operating expenses for the Enterprise Fund are anticipated to increase by 4.6% to $1,267,242 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. The budgeted amount to be received by the City of Creve Coeur is FY23 is $1,066,144. 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. Public safety expenses are anticipated to be $1.1 million in FY23.
The proposed FY23 budget is available online. Citizens are encouraged to participate in the public hearing on Monday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the Creve Coeur Government Center, 300 N. New Ballas Road.
