Show-Me State Times

Comptroller Darlene Green issued a statement on July 1, 2024, regarding proposed charter changes that would eliminate the independent elected comptroller and the Board of Estimate & Apportionment (E&A). According to Green, these changes would significantly undermine the city's financial structure, weaken checks and balances, and reduce transparency.

"The proposed charter changes to eliminate the independent elected comptroller and the Board of E&A will forever completely dismantle the strong financial structure of the city, weaken checks and balances, and eliminates transparency; thus, removing strong protection of city taxpayer's dollars from corruption," Green stated.

Green emphasized that the city's credit rating could be downgraded from its current A-category status as a result of these proposed changes. She highlighted that under her leadership in May 2008, the city's credit rating was upgraded to an A+ for the first time in over 35 years. "Strong financial management has long been a relevant component of the city's A-category credit rating," she noted. "These proposed charter changes threaten to damage the city's credit. Damaged credit increases borrowing costs."

The comptroller criticized the lack of improvements offered by these proposals to protect taxpayer dollars. Instead, she argued that eliminating E&A's monthly public meetings would lead to closed-door sessions, thereby reducing transparency and weakening fiscal oversight.

"The public advocate charter change is not about protecting or supporting the city against corruption and abuse as is true of the current government structure that includes an elected comptroller who serves as an independent advocate for the people and watchdog over taxpayer dollars," Green said.

She asserted that both E&A and an independent elected comptroller provide essential structural protection and accountability for local government finances. "Accountability and transparency would be forever lost without an independent elected comptroller and the E&A Board," she added.

In conclusion, Green reiterated her stance: "Again, the proposed charter changes to eliminate the independent elected comptroller and the Board of E&A will forever completely dismantle the strong financial structure of the city, weaken checks and balances, and eliminates transparency; thus removing strong protection of city taxpayer's dollars from corruption."

Darlene Green serves as Comptroller for St. Louis City. Her office is responsible for safeguarding St. Louis' credit rating and protecting taxpayer dollars. More information can be found at www.stlouismo.gov/comptroller.