BUDGET CUTS will effect St. Louis County programs

Post author:independentnws
Post published:February 11, 2026
Post category:County Government

County Executive Page Details Service

Reductions Due to Council’s Budget Cuts

– On Wednesday Feb/ 11, Saint Louis County Executive Sam Page outlined initial service reductions affecting residents due to the\budget cuts made by the County Council.

“Let’s be clear. These are not cuts my office wanted to make,” said Dr. Page. “St. Louis County hasn’t had a property tax increase since 1985. We are at an inflection point and we need to ask voters if they will support an internet sales tax that will allow us to eliminate our deficit.”

The West County Government Center, located at 70 Clarkson Wilson Center in

Chesterfield, will stop operating after Friday, February 27. Residents have been able topay taxes and apply for the Senior Tax Freeze at this location. Residents will need to visit either the Clayton headquarters, Northwest Crossings, or South County government buildings for services.

Additionally, hours will be reduced for in-person services at the three remaining buildings.

Beginning, Tuesday, February 17, all buildings will close to the public at 3:30 p.m.

“The Council cut $2 million from the Department of Revenue’s budget,” said Dr. Page “Reducing these hours will allow us to trim our security budget and limit overtime on an already burned out and short-staffed Revenue Department.”

To also help the Revenue Department do their work with limited resources, the County will only accept in-person applications for the Senior Tax Freeze Monday through Thursday at the three government centers. Fridays will be reserved for staff to review and process applications. The online application is still available on the County website.

Budget cuts will also impact the Parks and Recreation Department. This summer, the County will not open the pools at St. Vincent Community Center and Kennedy Recreation

Complex. Both pools require major repairs and there is not enough money to cover th “Our limited resources are better used to maintain our park facility and other pools, including the more popular North County Recreation Center and the Pavilion at Lemay,” said Dr. Page.

Attendance at the Kennedy and St. Vincent pools has been lower than the other two pools run by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Beginning on Tuesday, February 17, these are the new hours for in-person service: