Budget committee votes to subpoena Police Board to present FY27 budget
May 18, 2026 | St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Missouri
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The Board of Aldermen Budget & Public Employees Committee voted Thursday to issue a subpoena directing the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners to appear before the committee on May 27, 2026, and produce the documents used to formulate the Metropolitan Police Department’s FY27 budget request.
Vice Chair Brownie said the decision was necessary but solemn, adding, "I don't think this is an action to be taken lightly." Committee members said the move is about transparency in stewardship of taxpayer dollars and the need to have elected representatives question the police department’s requested allocations.
Alderwoman Sier framed the vote in democratic terms, saying the committee was seeking basic accountability: "This is ... elected leaders just asking for democracy," she said, arguing that the police budget is the largest single part of the city budget and requires public scrutiny.
Alderwoman Velasquez said elected officials must ensure taxpayer money is accounted for and spent to meet city priorities. The committee approved the subpoena by roll call: Alderwoman Sier (yes), Vice Chair Brownie (yes), Alderwoman Velasquez (yes), Alderman Devote (present), Chair Aldrich (yes). The motion carried.
The subpoena, read into the record by the committee clerk, directs the Board of Police Commissioners to appear at City Hall’s Kennedy Room at noon on May 27 and to bring documents and records used to formulate the MPD FY27 budget request; the clerk emphasized that failure to appear and produce the requested materials may result in attachment under city charter and code provisions cited in the order.
Committee members said the action is intended to be fact-finding, not confrontational, and to allow aldermen to ask line-by-line questions about staffing, contracts, and priorities before budget decisions are finalized. The committee will hear public input again at the International Institute community meeting Wednesday evening as it continues the FY27 review process.
Vice Chair Brownie said the decision was necessary but solemn, adding, "I don't think this is an action to be taken lightly." Committee members said the move is about transparency in stewardship of taxpayer dollars and the need to have elected representatives question the police department’s requested allocations.
Alderwoman Sier framed the vote in democratic terms, saying the committee was seeking basic accountability: "This is ... elected leaders just asking for democracy," she said, arguing that the police budget is the largest single part of the city budget and requires public scrutiny.
Alderwoman Velasquez said elected officials must ensure taxpayer money is accounted for and spent to meet city priorities. The committee approved the subpoena by roll call: Alderwoman Sier (yes), Vice Chair Brownie (yes), Alderwoman Velasquez (yes), Alderman Devote (present), Chair Aldrich (yes). The motion carried.
The subpoena, read into the record by the committee clerk, directs the Board of Police Commissioners to appear at City Hall’s Kennedy Room at noon on May 27 and to bring documents and records used to formulate the MPD FY27 budget request; the clerk emphasized that failure to appear and produce the requested materials may result in attachment under city charter and code provisions cited in the order.
Committee members said the action is intended to be fact-finding, not confrontational, and to allow aldermen to ask line-by-line questions about staffing, contracts, and priorities before budget decisions are finalized. The committee will hear public input again at the International Institute community meeting Wednesday evening as it continues the FY27 review process.
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