Board of Freeholders Accepting Applications

For Future City-County Government Structure

GNC Chamber seeks one-third

North County representation

Applications are currently being accepted for the Board of Freeholders, a group which can be established pursuant to the Missouri Constitution to provide residents of St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis with a forum to discuss the future governmental structure of the region.
The Greater North County Chamber has responded with a letter from the chamber board asking the Board of Freeloaders to appoint a proportionate number of members of the board from North St. Louis County. “North County consists of approximately one-third of the County’s population and therefore deserves the same percentage of any body deciding the future of the County,” the letter from chamber president Venus Martz stated. The letter was copied and sent to Councilwoman Rita Days, Councilwoman Kelli Dunaway, and Councilwoman Rochelle Gray. .
Nineteen members will make up the Board of Freeholders. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson will each appoint nine members, and Missouri Governor Mike Parson will appoint one.
“When it comes to shaping our region’s future, community engagement and input are critical,” County Executive Page said. “We need to listen to our residents. Whatever the Board of Freeholders proposes will have to be ratified by the people of St. Louis County.”
In January, after concerns emerged regarding a merger proposal, the Municipal League of Metro St. Louis initiated a petition to establish a Board of Freeholders. The League was required to obtain roughly 20,000 signatures – about 15,000 from the County and about 5,000 from the city.
“I appreciate the instrumental leadership of the Municipal League in this process,” County Executive Page said. “I look forward to hearing the recommendations of the board, and I am ready to support a plan if it is in the best interest of the people of St. Louis County and approved by voters.”
The League plans to submit the completed petition to the election boards in the county and city in mid-September. From the date the petition is certified, County Executive Page, Mayor Krewson, and Governor Parson will have 10 days to submit their Board of Freeholders nominations. The nominations must be approved by the St. Louis County Council and the St. Louis City Board of Aldermen.
The Board of Freeholders will have up to one year to formulate any kind of merger plan, which would be voted on by city and county residents.
For more information on the Board of Freeholders, visit stlmuni.org/board-of-freeholders.

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