The City Council is currently reviewing the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), which begins July 1, 2023. In developing the annual budget, city staff rely upon a variety of planning documents, including the city's Strategic Plan, Comprehensive Plan, the five-year Capital Improvement Plan, and the Parks and Recreation Master 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 (47% of revenues) and utility licenses (36% of revenues). General Fund revenues are expected to increase 1.3% compared to projected revenues for FY23. This increase is primarily due to an increase in sales tax and increase in utility tax rates. General Fund expenditures are projected to increase 7.4% compared to projected expenditures for FY23 to $16,957,724. This increase is primarily due to personnel and benefit costs, in addition to a large number of full-time position vacancies in FY23. Personnel services comprise approximately 70% of the General Fund Budget.
The city received $3.89 million in Federal ARPA funds in FY22 and FY23. These one-time funds have been allocated in the FY23 and FY24 budget for street and sidewalk maintenance that was delayed during the pandemic, as well as for several projects related to the ice arena refrigerant switchover, dehumidification system and compressor repairs.
Capital Improvement Fund
The proposed budget is based on the five-year Capital Improvement Plan adopted by the City Council on April 10. The half-cent capital improvement sales tax is the major funding source, accounting for approximately $2.4 million in projected FY24 revenues. Proposed Capital Improvement Fund expenses include $8,314,104 for projects, offset approximately $2,745,410 by grant funding and $1,670,535 by ARPA funds.
Parks and Stormwater Fund
Creve Coeur residents approved a half-cent parks and stormwater sales tax in 2020. All revenue is dedicated to improving and maintaining local parks and stormwater infrastructure, and FY24 revenues are projected to be $2.97 million. Significant projects planned for FY24 include $2.3 million for Millennium Park Phase 1 improvements, $125,000 for the site design for Venable Park Phase 1 improvements, and $120,000 for park restroom renovations.
Municipal Enterprise Fund
The Enterprise Fund includes operations and maintenance of the golf course and ice arena. Operating revenues are projected to increase by 2% to $1,395,551. The golf course has seen a substantial increase since FY19 as residents and non-residents continue to seek outdoor activities. Operating expenses for the Enterprise Fund are anticipated to increase by 2.9% to $1,313,641 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 FY24 is $1,235,028. 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. Additional projects planned for FY24 include firing range lead abatement, Millennium Park cameras and three additional license plate recognition cameras.
The proposed FY24 budget is available online at www.crevecoeurmo.gov/budget. For questions or comments, please contact Mark Perkins, City Administrator, at 314-872-2515. Citizens are encouraged to participate in the public hearing on Monday, June 12, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at the Creve Coeur Government Center.
