Mayor Slay wants the City of St. Louis to enter St. Louis County (Florissant: calculated, pros and cons)

[greatfamilyarea]

St. Louis City is a mess, adding St. Louis County would clean up our city

[stlcitygirl]

I have been in the St Louis area for 5 years, I lived two years in St Charles, and now three years in the city. I happen to prefer living in the city, but I understand that some people prefer living in the suburbs, its personal preference.
St Louis has GOT to start working together, the city vs. county fight is ridiculous and will cost us in the long run.
If the city and county merged like every other American city, it would do wonders for the St Louis area. We would be the 18th largest city, instead of the 52nd and we wouldn't even be in the top 50 of the most dangerous cities list. When we are ranked, it is unfairly counted. Almost every other city is ranked on their entire metro area, this has been a major thorn in our side.

[CarrieNeno]

Umm, the major issue with ALL of this is that the St Louis County is in no position to fix the City's problems, as it has its own issues?!

The bulk of the county municipalities are SO BROKE themselves that they are barely staying afloat. Even in the best county school districts in town, tax hikes are consistantly turned down... meaning there is NO DISTRICT MONEY to make improvements. Fundraising efforts are what keep these schools afloat. And I say that as the parent of kids in a highly reputable yet VERY strapped school district.

Also note : St Louis County Dept of Revenue is about to take another MAJOR HIT. THis is the 1st reassessment year where they will be forced to drastically LOWER property tax appraisals to reflect the current housing market. Going to be a HUGE revenue blow for St Louis.

[Marksman84]

Originally Posted by CarrieNeno

Also note : St Louis County Dept of Revenue is about to take another MAJOR HIT. THis is the 1st reassessment year where they will be forced to drastically LOWER property tax appraisals to reflect the current housing market. Going to be a HUGE revenue blow for St Louis.

And that would explain the vastly increased numbers of po-po out in force handing out tickets.

Personally, I don't mind the City merging with the County (my wife and I are in West County), as long as we don't get robbed for 1 percent of our income to fund the "free" attractions in the city.

[BoomBoxing]

If you are referring to the 1% city earnings tax then it's safe to say you would not be "robbed" for it. And if you seriously believe that 1% is used to fund the Zoo and free attractions then it may interest you to know that both city and county tax payers pay for those free attractions: Metropolitan Zoological Park - Home

[Marksman84]

Originally Posted by BoomBoxing

If you are referring to the 1% city earnings tax then it's safe to say you would not be "robbed" for it. And if you seriously believe that 1% is used to fund the Zoo and free attractions then it may interest you to know that both city and county tax payers pay for those free attractions: Metropolitan Zoological Park - Home

Irrespective of that unaudited statistic, the attractions are not "free" and when you pay taxes towards resources that you don't utilize - regardless of allocated amount - it's robbery.

Don't worry, the Fed and the State are doing the same to all of us!

[OA 5599]

Originally Posted by Marksman84

Irrespective of that unaudited statistic, the attractions are not "free" and when you pay taxes towards resources that you don't utilize - regardless of allocated amount - it's robbery.

Don't worry, the Fed and the State are doing the same to all of us!

I pay that 1% tax, but don't mind paying several hundred dollars a year for a beautiful park to jog through, a world class zoo, and art museum, all within a few blocks of my apartment.

[CarrieNeno]

Even those who don't use the amentities benefit from them.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

You pay taxes for everything, whether you use it or not. Other people pay taxes for stuff they don't use. That's why it's called a community.

I wouldn't mind paying 1% for the first-class, free-admission zoo, and the museums and Forest Park. I don't live in the St. Louis area, though. Better than paying $35 to visit the St. Louis Zoo each time (The San Diego Zoo costs $35 admission).

If we didn't have all of those "free" attractions, chances are, fewer people would visit St. Louis and they probably wouldn't stay as long. And when they do come, they may stay in St. Louis county, or buy gas in St. Louis county. Maybe they check out restaurants in Clayton or University City. Whether you realize it or not, the City's attractions benefit the county as well.

[DeBaliviere]

Originally Posted by greatfamilyarea

St. Louis City is a mess, adding St. Louis County would clean up our city

A mess, eh?