The recommendations made by the nine-member committee mark the city’s latest effort to update the charter since its adoption in 1914. On Monday, commission members approved proposals that would establish an Office of the Public Advocate, change the timing of general municipal elections, give the Board of Aldermen enhanced authority in the budget process, merge city departments to form a Department of Transportation, and modernize language in the charter.
The proposals now head to the Board of Aldermen where corresponding legislation will be introduced and referred to the Legislation and Rules Committee. There, committee members will finalize proposals and language for the November ballot. Its first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 23rd at 2:00 p.m. The committee process will provide additional opportunities for the public to participate in the year-long process to revise the city charter.
Additional Full Board Meetings have been scheduled on Thursday, August 8th and 16th to both pass charter-related legislation and meet the Board of Election’s August 27th deadline to place items on the November 2024 ballot.
The Board of Aldermen also intends to establish a Special Committee on City of St. Louis Charter Revisions as a continuation of the thorough work done by the Charter Commission. The Commission began its work in 2023 after 60% of voters approved a measure to review the city’s charter every ten years. The special committee will include members from the Board of Aldermen, appointees from members of the Board of Estimate & Apportionment, and members of the existing Charter Commission.
The newly formed committee will explore the complete list of recommendations from the inaugural Charter Commission and engage with the public on which remaining recommendations not placed on the November ballot warrant further long-term consideration. The Special Committee on City of St. Louis Charter Revisions will be seated when the Board of Aldermen resumes its regularly scheduled meetings in September.
