Webster Groves council holds public hearing on FY2027 budget, approves police CBA and small amendments

The Webster Groves City Council held a public hearing June 2 on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, with the city’s finance director and interim city manager outlining conservative revenue assumptions, major cost drivers and planned capital spending.

“The budget is simply a grant of authority,” Director of Finance Gregory Donovan said, emphasizing that staff budget for full staffing but that vacancies often create year-end savings. Interim City Manager Davis and Donovan told the council they budgeted conservatively for sales and utility tax revenue, planned $3.9 million in capital improvement spending and included $5 million in bond proceeds tied to Prop W in the multi‑year funding plan.

Council members pressed staff on operating assumptions. Donovan told the council the recent senior property‑tax freeze reduced city receipts by about $76,000 and that personnel costs account for roughly 76% of the general fund. He also noted insurance costs rose about 4% and that collective bargaining adjustments for public safety required an in‑meeting budget amendment.

Public commenters urged fiscal restraint. Ben Brohammer said the budget risks depleting reserves and criticized what he described as a structural deficit; another speaker urged the council to adopt a legally balanced budget requirement.

After the hearing, council members approved two budget amendments. Council Member Emerson Smith moved and the council passed amendment FY27‑02 to fund the police collective bargaining agreement for $432,000; the roll call recorded Mayor Laura Arnold and seven council members voting yes. The council also approved FY27‑03, adding $5,000 to support the swim‑pass assistance program; that amendment passed unanimously as well.

The council voted to introduce the FY2027 budget documents and scheduled final adoption for two weeks later. Council members and staff said the budget will continue to be refined in the coming weeks and that staff will return with more detailed fiscal monitoring as revenues and year‑end balances become clearer.