Board of Estimate and Apportionment April 22, 2026

The City of St. Louis Board of Estimate and Apportionment convened on April 22, 2026, to review and approve several fiscal items including contracts, capital improvement fund transfers, and organizational changes within the Department of Information Technology Services. The board unanimously approved five items presented for the first time, including contract and lease approvals and authorization to overdraw accounts as needed. Budget Director Paul Payne presented the Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Operating Plan, outlining a $1.41 billion budget with a modest 0.2% increase from the previous year. Key procurement-related highlights included allocations for capital improvement projects totaling $50.4 million, a decrease primarily due to reduced prior year operating surplus, and funding for various city services such as emergency housing, derelict building demolition, and public safety infrastructure. The budget also addressed employee pay increases, pension funding, and departmental operational costs. Board members discussed the absence of funding for the Right to Counsel program, emphasizing its importance for eviction prevention and expressing intent to seek funding solutions. The meeting concluded with no further agenda items and adjournment.