2022 Annual Report

annual report St. Louis County 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE 3

Letter from the County Executive

PAGE 5

5 Key Moments of 2022

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Community

Connections

PAGE 18

Economic

Development

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Good

Government

PAGE 69 Awards

Letter from the County Executive

Dear St. Louis County community members,

It’s my pleasure to present the accomplishments of St. Louis County government in 2022. As you will read, the progress we made this year was significant.

The County Police Department continued its mission to keep our community safe. Homicides were down 12 percent and the department’s clearance rate on homicides was 87 percent versus a national average of 50 percent. We also broke ground last year on new police precincts in North and South County.

Here are some other highlights:

• The County placed its first electric fleet vehicle into service as we affirmed our commitment to making government more sustainable by announcing a plan to modernize 27 percent of the County’s light-duty vehicles to electric power by 2027.

• We welcomed 1.2 million soccer players, families and fans to Creve Coeur Soccer Park Complex resulting in thousands of hotel and restaurant reservations.

• German airline Lufthansa began service to Frankfurt from St. Louis Lambert International Airport on June 1, marking the first non-stop flights from our region to Europe in 20 years.

My office also took important steps to effectively manage $83 million in American Rescue Plan Act federal relief funds, hosting seven town halls and creating a community engagement survey.

And St. Louis County’s businesses remained robust. In 2022, the County accounted for 16 percent of all jobs created in Missouri, cinching our status as the most powerful economic engine in the state. Our Public Works Department issued 57,256 construction permits this year.

It was a busy and productive year, as this report highlights. I am proud of the work our employees have done. I think you will be as well.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sam Page St. Louis County Executive

ST. LOUIS COUNTY LEADERSHIP

County Executive, Dr. Sam Page

Administration Department, Karen Aroesty

Circuit Court, Presiding Judge Mary Ott

County Counselor, Beth Orwick

Human Services, Howard Hayes

Information Technology, Charles Henderson

Justice Services, Scott Anders

Municipal Court, Courtney Whiteside

Parks & Recreation, Tom Ott

Planning, Jacob Trimble

Police Department, Chief Kenneth Gregory

Public Health, Kate Donaldson and Dr. Jim Hinrichs

Revenue, Erica Savage

Spirit Airport, John Bales

Transportation & Public Works, Stephanie Leon Streeter

KEY 5 MOMENTS

of 2022

NEW POLICE PRECINCTS

St. Louis County has a top-notch police department and construction began this year on two new precincts that will provide appropriate space for officers to work safely and to continue providing the level of service residents have come to expect. Building the two new precincts will cost $26.6 million. The funding comes from Proposition P, a public safety sales tax approved by voters in 2017.

RAMS SETTLEMENT MONEY

After reaching a historic agreement in the lawsuit against the Rams and the NFL at the end of 2021, this year St. Louis City, County, and the Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority agreed on how the funds would be split. St. Louis County received $169,307,193.32 which was invested into Treasury Bonds, where the funds will collect interest while discussions continue into 2023 on how best to use this money to serve residents.

CONNECTING ST. LOUIS TO EUROPE

After two decades, St. Louis is once again directly connected to Europe. Lufthansa began offering direct flights from St. Louis to Frankfurt, Germany, in June. These flights will open doors, minds, and attitudes about doing business in the St. Louis region. Our region has a robust, diverse economy with both small businesses and international companies with ties to Europe, like Bayer Crop Science, that make St. Louis a desirable place to grow, succeed, and offer opportunity. Regional collaboration, led by the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, the St. Louis County Port Authority, Greater St. Louis Inc., St. Louis Lambert International Airport, and the World Trade Center-St. Louis helped to establish this air route.

FIRST ELECTRIC VEHICLE

ARPA TOWN HALLS

With a historic investment of $83 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to help our community recover from the pandemic, St. Louis County sought feedback from residents on how to best use that funding. In coordination with the County Council, the County hosted seven community town halls to hear directly from residents while also using an online survey for residents to list their top priorities. The top three areas of concern were healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

St. Louis County put its first electric vehicle into service - a union-built, made in the U.S. Ford F-150 Lightning. The Department of Transportation and Public Works also released a five-year electric vehicle plan that aims to modernize 27 percent of the County’s light-duty vehicle fleet to electric vehicles by 2027. The department will identify light-duty vehicles that are eligible for replacement with either a battery electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid vehicle, or hybrid electric vehicle.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Launching aviation careers with Red Tail cadet program

With an eye on the sky and dreams of careers in aviation, St. Louis County-owned Spirit of St. Louis Airport once again partnered in the Red Tail Cadet Program. Six new recruits from the Ferguson-Florissant School District completed a six-week immersive flight-training experience with the goal of setting them on the

path toward a career in aviation. Each of the cadets are highly motivated, academically astute (must excel in math & science), and community involved. The program helps develop their skills through classroom instruction, flight simulator training, live flight training, financial literacy seminars, leadership

development, and life skills development. A total of 11 students have participated in the program in the last two years.

Other sponsors of the program include The Crossing church, Elite Aviation, Boeing, The Mann Family Foundation, Spirit Jets, and the Holland Law Firm.

Spirit of St. Louis Air Show

Spirit of St. Louis Airport was thrilled to welcome the U.S. Navy Blue Angels back to St. Louis County for the Spirit of St. Louis Air Show & STEM Expo in July.

The weekend featured the best in aviation as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The event drew 45,000 spectators over two days and thousands more at offsite viewing areas.

Police engaging with the community

On June 25, the inaugural “Ballin’ in the Lou” basketball game was held at St. Louis University High School. St. Louis County Police Officers played basketball against St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officers. This free community event was attended by fans from both St. Louis City and County and provided free food and entertainment to the community.

Other County police community outreach events included:

• Do the Right Thing Ceremony

• Annie Malone May Day Parade

• Special Olympics Torch Run

• Central County Precinct Earth City Barbecue

• JB Blast

• National Night Out

• Pagedale Community Festival

• Sista Strut

• 32nd Annual Christmas Party for Kids

In August, the Community Outreach Unit participated in

several National Night Out Events, which gave citizens and Police Officers an opportunity to come together and enhance community participation. The National Night Out Events included the following subdivisions: Norwood Court, Pasadena Hills, and Sappington Acres Estates. ater in the year, the Community Outreach Unit participated in a speaking engagement at Jennings High School and at STL.works, a Skilled Workforce Mentoring Program at Hazelwood West High School.

Restoring African Schoolhouse 4

The crew at Faust Park continued its work to reconstruct African Schoolhouse #4. The school was relocated to the park in 2021 after it was donated to St. Louis County.

Built in 1894, the one-room schoolhouse is the oldest Black schoolhouse in the County. Workers used tools from past eras to make replacement logs for the schoolhouse.

In July, workers placed the first log into the school’s new home alongside Myles Hodges, grandson of Lucille Johnson, who attended the school in 1931. Once the logs were put in place, crews began chinking, a centuries old process that places scraps of wood in between the larger logs.

Renovations coming for Kinloch Park

The Parks and Recreation Department and the St. Louis County Parks Foundation has plans for a complete renovation of Kinloch Park that will make it a centerpiece for the community, a source of pride, and a safe place for families to gather. This year, the Parks Foundation has raised $900,000 for these renovations.

“Kinloch was the first town in Missouri to be incorporated by African Americans. But years of disinvested have taken a toll,” County Executive Dr. Sam Page said. “However, the condition of Kinloch Park is about to change thanks to the St. Louis County Parks Foundation.”

Based on findings from the master plan of St. Louis County Parks and Recreation, Kinloch Park is one of the

parks with the highest needs in the region. With this funding, the County will be able to complete significant renovations including a new playground, shelter, basketball court, athletic fields for football and soccer, and a half-mile

walking trail around the park perimeter.

“I can’t wait for two years from now when we look out at this park, it’s going to be a totally different look with new football fields,

playgrounds for the children, a new shelter here, bathrooms. It’s just going to be a wonderful event,” said Mark Ohlendorf, president of the St. Louis County Parks Foundation.

“It’s our hope that the revitalization of Kinloch Park will help to energize this area.”

- Mark Ohlendorf

Battling the opioid epidemic with $45 million settlement

In 2022, St. Louis County released its new Substance Use Action Plan, a comprehensive, broad-based strategy to combat substance use over the next two years and beyond. The plan was created over several months with the help of trusted community partners. Substance use continues to be a major public health crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to an increase in overdoses and deaths.

There were 343 opioid-related deaths in St. Louis County in 2021, tying 2020 for a record number of deaths. Overdose deaths from all substances reached 490 in 2021, up from 455 the previous year. And fentanyl, which is 50 times more potent than heroin, was a factor in a majority of those deaths.

This plan comes as St. Louis County will receive $45 million from a legal settlement with opioid

manufacturers. Getting these funds is a major moment in the opioid battle. In December, the County received its first installment from this settlement, $4.8 million. The money was deposited into the Opioid Remediation Fund, established to support the treatment of substance use or mental health conditions through evidence-based programs and strategies.

“With these settlement funds, we have the opportunity to amplify and support treatment and prevention programs and save more lives from overdoses,” County Executive Dr. Sam Page said. “The most successful approach is a regional approach where we can work together, pool our resources, align our priorities, and reverse the disturbing trend.”

In 2022, 1,500 Narcan kits were distributed by the Department of Public Health. Other efforts

to combat the opioid epidemic include providing Narcan free of charge to detainees released from the St. Louis County Justice Center thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. Making Narcan available to a population often struggling with narcotics is another important step to saving lives. The Department of Public Health’s Corrections Medicine team administered more than 1,800 doses of Narcan to patients this year at the Justice Center.

In September, the People’s Family of Corporations donated 10 “NaloxBoxes” for use in the St. Louis County Court Building.

The Substance Use Action Plan came with input from nearly 40 partners, including the City of St. Louis Health Department. The plan has five key goals:

• Raise awareness about substance use, overdoses, and how our community is affected by them.

• Prevent opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders.

• Increase the availability of Narcan to rescue people during an overdose.

• Increase the number of people connected to treatment with a focus on high-risk populations.

• Enable people in recovery to access recovery services and supports that increase quality of life.

Engaging youth in County government

Many St. Louis County departments used their time to help educate area students on various functions of government and how it affects them. Here are some examples of employees engaging young people in our community:

Human Services successfully facilitated the Outstanding Student Leaders Conference , for the first time since the pandemic. This program recognizes over 43 Outstanding Student Leaders from various St. Louis County High

Schools. They spent the day of the conference doing team and community building exercises at Washington University in St. Louis and then were recognized in a ceremony in the Council chambers.

In October, the Planning Department spoke to students at Hancock Place High School and at Notre Dame High School in the Lemay area. The Department prepared a program aimed at encouraging students to pay active attention to the neighborhoods in which they live and go to school. The session kicked off with an overview of planning and the built environment, and then students worked in groups to fill in land uses on a map of Lemay. The students worked together to locate their school, their homes, and other land uses such

as stores, churches, and parks. Planning staff then presented on the role of the Planning Department within County government, the Lemay Comprehensive Plan, and walked through a zoning petition to give the students an idea of how planning impacts their community. The students had many questions about development in Lemay, specifically regarding road improvements and the reutilization of vacant property. Overall, the Department found these sessions were successful and hope to present at more schools next October.

The Department of Public Health facilitated the annual Healthy Living Calendar competition which engages local K-12 students to creatively express via drawings focused on “healthy living.”

Artwork from 13 students were chosen for the calendar after DPH staff voted on the submissions. The winners include students from the following St. Louis County schools:

• Kellison Elementary

• Carman Trails Elementary

• Marquette High School

• Nipher Middle School

• All Saints Academy - St. Ferdinand

• Meramec Elementary

• Bayless High School

• Our Lady of Lourdes

• Holy Cross Academy

In October, County Executive Sam Page invited members of the Youth Advisory Council to meet with him to talk about important issues facing young people in our community. Many attendees expressed concerns with substance use, mental health, and climate change.

Expanded Grandpad tablets with Library

Keeping our older residents connected to family members during the pandemic was a priority and in 2022, St. Louis County invested an additional $2 million to expand the popular GrandPad tablet program in partnership with the St. Louis County Library. The GrandPad tablet comes with

built-in data and internet and is designed to meet the needs of those over the age of 75 to access technology. There is no home internet connection required, no data contracts required, and no additional fees involved. The top apps used on these tablets are the internet, Bingo, Solitaire, calls, and music.

“This GrandPad has been absolutely life-changing for my mom who has been homebound. The part I love for her is being able to see photos and videos of her grandkids and great grandkids on her GrandPad.”

-Family member

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

$5.4 million plan to improve Airport Road

The Transportation and Public Works Department announced that funding had been secured to make major improvements along Airport Road in north St. Louis County. This project will remove and replace 1.7 miles of Airport Road from I-170 east to N. Florissant Road through Berkeley and Ferguson. About 22,000 vehicles travel that section daily.

“Airport Road is in need of care,” County Executive Dr. Sam Page said. “St. Louis County’s Department of Transportation currently rates this section of Airport Road a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 denoting pavement that’s in pristine condition. That’s why we are happy to announce that we have in hand the funds for the $5.4 million road improvement project.”

$2.1 million of the project’s funding comes from the Surface Transportation Program funds administered by the East West Gateway Council of Governments. St. Louis County will fund the remaining cost of the project.

“This has been a long time coming,” Representative Raychel Proudie said. “I actually grew up on a street off of Airport Road. This isn’t just helpful to the citizens of Berkeley. It’s good for Kinloch and Ferguson and for the individuals who work at Boeing and Express Scripts. I could not be more thrilled, and I thank the Page Administration for prioritizing Airport Road.”

Airport Road will be reduced

from five to three driving lanes –one in each direction and a shared, center turn lane from Hanley Road to west of N. Florissant Road. A bike lane will also be built on each side of Airport Road. Other improvements will include sidewalk and curb repairs, traffic signal upgrades, Accessible Pedestrian Signal upgrades, and construction of approximately 60 ADAaccessible ramps. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2023.

1.2 million visit Soccer Park

Since opening in 2018, the Creve Coeur Soccer Park Complex continues to serve as a regional destination for soccer and an excellent boost for businesses in St. Louis County. In 2022, 1.2 million soccer players and patrons visited the complex.

One of the most exciting additions this year was welcoming St. Louis’ newest professional sports team, St. Louis CITY SC. The team used the soccer complex

to host its four youth academy teams’ trainings and games while its downtown stadium and training facility were being built.

The soccer complex also hosted: Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) Girls Regional League with 150 teams from 13 states,

U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships that brought more than 3,600 athletes from 13 states with an estimated economic impact of more than $10 million, ECNL Boys National Finals that brought 40 teams from 11 states, Keeper Wars goalkeeping event, Soccer Youth All American Series, and St. Louis Youth Soccer Association league games, Missouri Youth Soccer Association’s State Cup.

First look at WildCare Park in Spanish Lake

In July, the Saint Louis Zoo released renderings that gave the community its first look at the new WildCare Park in Spanish Lake. The $230 million expansion of the Zoo will be a more than 400-acre conservation and tourism attraction in North County. The features coming to this North County Zoo

campus will connect people and animals in a way that has never been done before while enhancing the Zoo’s mission to sustain endangered and threatened species.

"At WildCare Park, guests will be immersed in nature and animal pastures, providing unique experiences with every visit," said

Jo-Elle

Mogerman, WildCare Park

Director. "Every visit will be a new adventure."

The County’s Planning Department reviewed the Site Development Plan for WildCare Park. The park is slated to open to the public in 2027, with animals arriving in 2023 for pilot pasture.

MOBOT opens new visitor center

This year the Missouri Botanical Garden opened its brand-new Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center. The project was funded by the Gateway to the Garden campaign, which raised $100 million through private donations. The 94,000-square foot center has a new lobby, expanded gift shop, meeting rooms and an updated restaurant.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is a great example of what public and private partnerships can do together to enrich our region.

The Garden is part of the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District (ZMD), which began operations in 1972. The ZMD was created when St. Louis County and City residents voted to authorize this tax district to support financially struggling cultural institutions. Other cultural institutions that are also supported by taxpayers through the ZMD are Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Science Center, and the Saint Louis Zoo.

ZMD = Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District

STL Partnership helps economic growth

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership is the regional economic development organization. Its mission is to attract, retain, and facilitate growth of businesses in St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis. The STL Partnership works with economic development partners to help companies of all sizes thrive in the St. Louis region.

STL Partnership loans and bonds funded in St. Louis County and City for 2022 totaled $19.56 million and included $12.2 million in bonds, $4.2 million in SBA loans, and $3.14 million in specialty revolving loan funds.

The STL Partnership, in collaboration with Greater St. Louis Inc., Boeing, and other key stakeholders, worked together to establish the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center to create a more diversified and resilient workforce in regional aerospace and automotive manufacturing sectors.

In August, Boeing gave a $5 million grant to support this innovation center. Then in September, the STL Partnership, in conjunction with Greater St. Louis, Inc., won a federal $25 million Build Back Better Regional grant to further support these efforts. Out of 529 applicants, the St. Louis region was among 21 applicants to receive funding.

The Major Projects/39 North division of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership was established to manage the 39 North Master Plan, which was funded by a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The plan created a vision for an innovation district in St. Louis County that is uniquely positioned to advance the region’s global leadership in plant and life sciences. The district is geared toward preferences often sought by highly skilled employees, including mixed retail, residential, and office space connected by walking and biking trails and green space.

The 600‐acre innovation district is anchored by the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Bio Research & Development Growth Park, the Helix Center Business Incubator, Bayer Crop Science, and the Yield Lab.

The 39 North Master Plan has five transformative goals:

1. Strengthen corridors and establish new traffic patterns

2. Connect assets and opportunity sites

3. Establish a cohesive development framework

4. Create a mixed‐use center of activity

5. Market the district

To date, $10.4 million consisting of federal,

state, and local transportation dollars have been secured to plan and build the priority infrastructure projects and for marketing efforts to promote the district.

As recommended in the 39 North Master Plan, the Olive/Lindbergh interchange was completed in July. STL Partnership continues to partner with the City of Creve Coeur, Great Rivers Greenways, the Danforth Plant Science Center, and other partners on the Old Olive Great Streets Project and the 39N Greenway.

Jamestown Mall redevelopment planning

The cost to take down Jamestown Mall and prepare the land for redevelopment is being covered by $6 million coming from St. Louis County and $6 million from the state of Missouri.

The St. Louis County Port Authority approved $1.5 million for environmental remediation which was completed in September. This work included environmental abatement, asbestos removal, and other pre-demolition preparation work.

The STL Partnership continued to work with the St. Louis County Port Authority to determine the highest and best use for the

$1.9 million

site through a market feasibility study, which included a process to incorporate community input. The

County’s Planning Department served on the Advisory Committee for the feasibility study.

awarded for Brownfields cleanups

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $1.9 million Brownfields grant to the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) of St. Louis County. This funding will help expand the current cleanup and redevelopment work in North County communities. The LCRA was one of 39 high-performing Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grant recipients.

The LCRA’s Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Program has committed more than $1 million to Brownfields cleanup projects, leveraging more than $24 million in investment. These projects in St. Louis County have led to the revitalization of the Heege Neighborhood Retail Center, Lemay riverfront, and the former River Roads Mall in Jennings.

Convention Center expansion groundbreaking

This year, ground was broken on a $210 million expansion and facelift for the America’s Center Convention Complex, which was last updated in 1995. Updates include a 72,000-square

foot exhibit space and new entrance. The project is funded by St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis after each approved $105 million in new bonds, backed by a regional hotel tax

paid only by guests staying in area hotels. The expansion of America’s Center will help secure its place as an economic and employment driver for the region.

GOOD GOVERNMENT

Transforming County HR

The most significant changes in the Department of Administration involved County HR’s Transformation Pilot. HR staff across County departments joined efforts with the Division of Personnel in February 2022 to form “County HR.”

The division focused on six teams to help streamline HR functions across all County departments to deliver equitable and efficient services. Those topics include compensation and classifications, benefits and compliance, employee experience, human resource information systems, talent strategy, and retirement.

Administration by the numbers

The Customer Service division saw a 400% increase in requests coming into the Customer Service portal in 2022 as compared to 2021. The portal makes it easier for residents to submit requests and it ensures that all requests are recorded, tracked, and serviced.

Customer Service staff offers guidance, answers questions, and works closely with all departments to facilitate business throughout the County. Customer Service provided in-person services to well over 33,659 people in Clayton. At the Northwest Crossings location, Customer Service works closely with the Collector of Revenue and over 39,279 people were provided with in-person customer service. The division also answered 54,100 phone calls and responded to over 6,500 combined service requests and emails.

400% increase in requests

Over 6,500 combined service requests and emails

70,000+ people helped with in-person services

54,000+ phone calls answered

Performance Management and Budget (PMB) was successful in maintaining the County’s AAA general obligation bond rating and coordinating the May sale of $124.6 million in special obligation bonds to finance the County’s portion of the expansion of the America’s Center in downtown St. Louis. In July, PMB coordinated the sale of an additional $20.3 million in special obligation bonds to complete the financing package for the construction of two new police precinct facilities and the County’s portion of a pump station at the Howard Bend Levy District.

The Records Center worked with County departments and updated 28 record retention schedules in 2022. The Records Compliance Manager began working with IT on a plan to move departments from file shares to the more user-friendly SharePoint, where records can properly be classified and maintained per the record retention schedules for each department.

Over 400,000 documents were digitally scanned in the Imaging Services Lab. These documents have either permanent or long-term retention requirements, and the digital images provide instant desktop access to departmental users and ensure long-term accessibility as well as efficient retrieval by multiple users.

Roughly 1,500 records were retrieved and processed for departments. In addition, over 1,300 records were retrieved, processed, and refiled in response to requests from various County departments. Requests are processed by using automated software and barcode technology and sent to requestors within two or fewer business days.

The Procurement Division revised and simplified standard County contracts. The Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) Program conducted four workshops in the first six months of the year to educate those who do business with the County on the updated MWBE program rules and regulations. The work of MWBE program helped the County exceed participation goals for the two new police precincts. The North County Precinct MWBE participation will be 49.7 percent with 15 minority and women-owned firms working on the project and the Affton-Southwest Precinct will be 50.3 percent with 14 minority and women-owned firms.

Risk Management reviewed over 291 workers compensation claims. Risk Management continued to develop a standardized claim tracking procedure which allows staff to review claim reserves and strategy with the County Counselor’s Office.

Treasury staff processed 64,773 transactions totaling over $118 million at the North and South satellite locations and processed over 5,303 check and electronic payments totaling over $998 million in Clayton. The division successfully reconciled over 15,904 bank transactions, an average of 1,325 monthly. Treasurer staff calculated and distributed over $600 million, an average of over $50 million of sales tax funds each month to county funds and 89 entities including municipalities, Bi-State Funds, Metro Parks, and Tax Increment Financing entities.

The County Administrative Processing Systems (CAPS) Division, responsible for managing the County’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and Time Management, upgraded the ERP Munis, Cashiering, and Tyler Content Management systems in January 2022. The team continues to work with Treasury to review a centralized payments.

Celebrating Treatment Court graduation

A courtroom is not a place you expect to see scenes of celebration and tears of joy, but in St. Louis County Circuit Court that is exactly what happens during Treatment Court graduation. Mental health and substance use disorders affect all communities. Instead of simply punishing people, Treatment Court offers evidence-based treatment that includes therapy,

drug testing, community service, and frequent check-ins to ensure accountability and compassion to save lives and reunite families. Circuit Court overhauled and fine-tuned its Treatment Court this summer, developing new screening and eligibility processes to ensure efficient case flow. More than 1,300 graduates have successfully completed the Treatment Court program,

including 59 graduates in 2022. Treatment Court participants in the DWI program contributed 100 hours of community service during the program to several organizations such as Calvary Horse Farm and the Second Chance Ranch. Treatment Court also partnered with St. Louis County Problem Properties team for clean-up projects once each month.

Juvenile Office begins art program

artists and skills, and they ultimately learned how to play a guitar. The program concluded by having the youth draw and paint the design to their own guitar.

The St. Louis County Juvenile Office partnered with the City of Berkeley and Seed St. Louis to start a community garden on Washington Avenue in Berkeley. The garden consists of 12 raised beds and was donated by area residents to support youth in their community service efforts. The Juvenile Office identified and assigned Court-involved youth to engage in community service to maintain the garden as well as to provide nutrition and meaningful contributions to residents.

The St. Louis County Juvenile Office also partnered with Hope Creates, Inc., a local non-profit organization to implement the Music, Art, Recovery, and Connection (MARC) program. Youth participants were exposed to various

The Family Court's Domestic Relations Services program received 444 referrals for custody plan assistance, screenings for mental health services, and supervised visitation in 2022. The Exchange Center provided 779 supervised visits and 1,180 supervised custody exchanges last year.

Sheriff’s Office pilots body cameras

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office expanded its body camera pilot program across most of its duties, including service of process, evictions, and execution of warrants issued by the Probate Court. This new program allows command staff to monitor daily activities, including the ability to monitor in real time. This helps foster an additional layer of trust and confidence the people of St. Louis County can have in its Sheriffs. The goal is to equip all deputies with body cameras in 2023.

Counselor’s Office adds staff

The County Counselor is the County’s Attorney and Counselor at Law. The office has charge of and conducts all the civil law business of the county, its departments, divisions, offices, officers, boards, and commissions.

The Counselor’s Office enhanced its ability to serve the County through the addition of a Senior Litigation Attorney, two Civil Investigators, and the development of a Community Compliance Unit to address problem properties. The Senior Litigation Attorney works closely to enhance litigation strategy.

This year the Counselor’s Office also focused on training and education both internally and externally. The office conducted 40 Continuing Legal Education Programs for office members.

Prepared and/or reviewed 2,858 contracts and real estate instruments in 2022

Trainings included topics such as using new technology, effective legal writing, understanding the legislative process; opening statements; self-defense, prosecuting domestic violence cases; trial preparation, expungements, charging municipal cases, how to best communicate with co-workers, Amendment 3 and professionalism.

The office also began the implementation of an electronic discovery platform. The use of the Everlaw platform increases discovery efficiencies.

Wrote over 700 pieces of legislation for the County Council

The office’s Municipal Court Team issued 14,305 ordinance violations

Weinman Shelter marks 30 years

This year we honored and recognized the 30 years of work of the Kathy J. Weinman Shelter - the only emergency shelter for domestic violence survivors in St. Louis County and the largest shelter in the region. The Weinman staff go above and beyond to empower and educate women, to advocate for those in need and remain focused on improving lives.

At the beginning of March, the Weinman Shelter opened the 'Treat Yourself Tuesday Spa Closet.' The closet contains donated personal care items. Those at the shelter can pick something to treat themselves with to promote self-care and pampering.

The shelter is looking for the following items:

• manicure kits

• any makeup

• hair products (besides shampoo and conditioner)

• nail polish, and more

Thank you to The Boeing Company's Women Inspiring Leadership group for donating to our Treat Yourself Tuesday Spa Closet at the Weinman Shelter! They donated about $1,000 worth of items to Weinman in honor of Women’s History Month.

The Weinman shelter is continuing to fine tune its new telehealth and remote learning project which will allow clients to access case managers and therapists as well as educational and life-skill class materials via tablets and laptops when in-person attendance is not available or conducive.

Laptops and tablets were purchased with federal COVID-19 relief funds, the Domestic Violence Shelter Services (DVSS) grant funds, and Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant funds.

Weinman was able to purchase Amazon Fire tablets for the Children’s Therapy program so they can access recreational and educational programs online while working with the therapist. These were purchased using the VOCA grant funds.

New Sensory Boxes have been purchased utilizing VOCA funds to assist in the Children’s Therapy program. These boxes provide children the opportunity to explore and learn through hands-on tactile play that engages their senses.

A partnership was established between the Weinman Shelter and For Goodness Cakes. This organization is a national, non-profit organization that provides bakery-created cakes for at-risk youth for birthdays and special occasions. Weinman had a child in the shelter who had a birthday in April. This child’s cake was the first cake created by this organization for the newly formed St. Louis chapter of this organization. They provided a birthday cake for the two-year old along with a smash cake for the toddler to enjoy for herself.

Innovative hiring events

Workforce Development launched a series of major hiring events that targeted talent recruitment for key industries that give the region a competitive edge including construction, healthcare, transportation and logistics, and information technology. More than 75 people attended the first Construction Career Expo and 41 employers supported the event.

The goal of these expos was to support the economic growth and development of the St. Louis region by creating a consistent pipeline

of skilled and diverse workers for living wage career opportunities for key industries that give the region a competitive edge.

“To have a healthy economy, we need to also make it easier for employers in St. Louis to recruit job seekers who have the skills, talents, and passions for available jobs,” said Greg Laposa, Director of Workforce Development for St. Louis County.

In 2022, just over 30,000 visitors utilized the Job Center services at Northwest Crossings. Workforce Development offered over 200

St. Louis County’s Workforce Development was among six regional workforce agencies to receive a $5.8 million U.S. Department of Labor grant to fund bioscience, health care and education apprenticeships. As part of that grant, our region will enroll over 700 new apprentices over several years in “work and learn” programs that will allow people to earn and learn.

hiring event opportunities across a variety of key industries, including healthcare, logistics, construction, warehouse and distribution, and others. Many of the available jobs offer wages between $15-$20 an hour. Some of the employer partners who worked with St. Louis County to provide job opportunities included the following: United Parcel Service (UPS), Charter Spectrum, Mercy Health, Barnes Jewish Hospital, and Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Adopt-a-Family helps nearly 100 families

For nearly three decades, St. Louis County employees have helped families during the holidays with the Adopta-Family program. This program helps families who would not otherwise be able to provide gifts for their children and other loved ones.

In addition to clothes, toys, food, and household items, some families get a gift that will keep them safely in their homes this winter – their utility bills paid. Families also get bedding and mattresses. This year, 97 families were adopted.

The Older Resident Program in the Department of Human Services provides the staff support to coordinate the program, including identifying the families who will be adopted each year.

Youth on the Rise hosts summer camp

This summer, Youth on the Rise held one of the most successful summer camps in years. This summer we averaged more than 20 kids daily, from ages 12-17, and daily activities included free meals, life skills groups, various sports, arts and crafts, and cooking activities at the Youth Center. The theme of this year’s camp was STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Activities included, coding, robotics, music production, and a Minecraft and Roblox tournament. Campers took multiple field trips, including trips to Boeing, Heru Urban Farming, Danforth Plant Science Center, Seeds of Hope Farm, the Arch, and the Science Center.

Youth on the Rise is a drop-in center where teens can do homework, use computers, play games, and enjoy nutritional snacks and meals.

Youth on the Rise hosted the inaugural Pre-Summer Community Appreciation event on May 23, 2022. The event offered activities, food, a meet & greet, and most importantly, an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate themselves. Approximately 60 community members visited the Drop-In Center ranging from community leaders to toddlers. This event also resulted in 16 additional youth signing up for services.

The Youth Programs Division formed a new partnership with Green St. Louis Machine, an educational initiative focused on promoting healthy eating, engaging students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) practices, and developing skills in urban agriculture, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.

This partnership resulted in an Aeroponic Tower Garden being housed at the Youth Center. Youth have been able to use the food that they have grown to prepare meals for themselves.

IT cleans up “TechDebt”

The Department of Information Technology (IT) helped ensure that every department operated at peak efficiency and security. IT proved to be among the national leaders in implementing multi-factor authentication at the governmental level helping to protect the County

against malicious hacking. IT also continued clean-up of TechDebt which is the elimination or replacement of technology that is simply too old to perform the functions needed for operating effectively. This action saved the County $8,600 a month, and

Security enhancements

In 2022, St. Louis County was among the national leaders in early implementation of multifactor authentication (MFA) at the governmental level. While the County has required multi-factor authentication for years to connect to the Virtual Private Network, IT introduced a new application that was both more convenient to use and far more robust in blocking malicious malware and hacking attempts.

$103,272 in an expected annual payment by replacing old copper telephone lines with internet-based technology. The department also eliminated a server rack in the datacenter for a savings of $14,000 per year.

New Boards and Commissions website

In 2022, IT conferred with staff from the County Executive’s Office to create a new version of the Boards and Commissions website. The new version is more user-friendly and features several enhancements, including a video message from the County Executive and a Sunshine Request Attestation for applicants.

New organizational network

The network that connects all County facilities had not been upgraded in more than five years, and did not provide the flexibility needed to adjust for changes in usage and types of network traffic. In early 2022, AT&T was selected to update and replace the existing network. The first three facilities have had the new and faster network installed. Installation will continue through 2023.

To make it easier for residents to pay taxes and access other services, IT deployed Kiosks. IT deployed two kiosks in the lobby in Clayton, one in the lobby at Northwest Crossings, and one in the Department of Revenue office in South County.

Improving Jail Culture

The culture of our jail continues to fundamentally improve with more programming and educational opportunities for residents and more training and pay for employees. Staff went beyond guard duty to also conduct classes, drug rehabilitation treatment, voter registration drives, and other programs to reduce recidivism.

National accreditation

The Department of Justice Service received its highest rating in 20 years during the recent American Corrections Association (ACA) audit. ACA accreditation is bestowed on facilities and programs that are believed to be the “Best of the Best” in the field of corrections and sets a professional benchmark for correctional management.

The St. Louis County Jail scored 100% on the audit for mandatory standards, the highest score of any jail in the country. The County’s Justice Center is also the only correctional facility in Missouri to receive this accreditation.

Racial equity study

The Department of Justice Services continued its work to make the Justice Center one of the most compassionate corrections facilities in the country.

In August, researchers kickedoff a first-of-its-kind racial equity study at the St. Louis County Justice Center. This pioneering collaboration, funded by a $299,685 grant from the MacArthur Foundation, aims to help St. Louis County identify programs and policies that can be put into place to help improve the culture inside the jail and ultimately reduce the jail population.

The study team is working with jail administrators, program staff and contractors, corrections officers, jail

residents, and former residents to review policies, procedures, and data on the culture of the jail. Researchers hope this project will produce practices and policy innovations that can be replicated across the criminal justice system.

“The culture of the jail has fundamentally improved,

with more programming and educational opportunities for residents and more training and pay for employees,” Dr. Page said.

Researchers from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, Florida State University, and George Mason University are leading the study.

“This study will help us address racial inequities to create a healthier work environment for staff and improve relationships with jail residents as well as the outcomes for those residents once they leave our care.”

- Dr. Sam Page

Ryan Griffin Foundation donates K9

The Justice Center welcomed its second K9 to the team. K9 Aly was donated by the Ryan Griffin Memorial Foundation. The foundation awards all K9s solely to police departments and courthouses. This is the foundation's first donation to a jail.

K9 Aly will allow Justice Services to reduce drug use and prevent overdoses in the jail while also serving as a deterrent. Thus, improving safety for both officers and residents.

Jail residents vote in elections

In local jails, the majority of people are eligible to vote because they are not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction. About 84% of the residents at the Justice Center are being held pre-trial. Civic participation has been linked to a reduction in re-offending. It helps build strong connections to the community with the goal of successful reentry following incarceration.

Justice Services worked with the St. Louis County Board of Elections to set up in-person absentee voting for eligible Justice Center residents for both the August Primary and November General Election.

Job training for detainees

Corrections staff provide trainings that will help inmate residents prepare for success once they leave the Justice Center and 2022 was a busy year for educational opportunities. This year, instructors taught 3,757 hours on a variety of spiritual, educational, and motivational topics.

The Choices program is a 90-day substance use recovery program where participants learn about addiction through group and individual counseling

sessions, educational classes and lectures. In 2022, 78 people successfully completed this challenging program.

The ServSafe Food Handler program allows detainees to earn a comprehensive food, alcohol, and industry certification that has helped graduates find jobs in restaurants and hotels upon release. This year, 35 participants successfully completed the program.

Those who complete the Food Handler program are

eligible to take the ServSafe Manager Certificate. It focuses on safety training, exams and educational materials for food service managers. In 2022, 20 people earned this certification.

Representatives from Ironworkers Local 396, IUPAT District Council #58, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562, and Building Union Diversity (BUD) all took time to talk about the union building trades and apprenticeship opportunities upon release.

Recruiting & retaining corrections officers

Recognizing the need to recruit and retain employees, the County Council agreed to increase pay for Corrections Officers by $3 per hour and allowed the department to fill many vacant positions. Prior to the pay increase, there were 84 vacancies. By the end of the year, that number decreased to 30.

The department launched a Women’s Leadership Development Program to encourage and help female corrections officers become leaders at the Justice Center. Prior to the program’s launch, only three

women served in leadership roles. Now 11 additional women have been promoted including four new

The department also was selected for a U.S. Department of Labor certified apprenticeship program for corrections officers. This apprenticeship program provides 2,000 hours of job training. Corrections officers who complete the six-month probationary period of the apprenticeship training will receive a $500 incentive.

Once a year of training is completed, they are eligible for up to 30 hours of college credit in a job-related major at a community college. Those college credits can help with career advancement.

lieutenants, four new sergeants, an acting unit manager, and visitation property bonding coordinator.

Municipal Court adds administrative judge

Judge Daniel Brown has been named the first-ever St. Louis County Municipal Court Administrative Judge. Judge Brown was chosen by his fellow judges and in this role, he is responsible for the administrative duties of the Municipal Court judges and presides over all specialty courts. Those specialty courts provide services including substance use treatment, mental health treatment, job training, and housing assistance.

“An addition of an Administrative Judge adds a level of accountability to the court’s judges, increases opportunities for judicial education, and allows for coordination to achieve high performing court standards and implement

progressive court reforms and practices,” said Courtney Whiteside, director of Municipal Courts.

The Court also underwent an extensive expansion of key personnel to provide additional oversight and allow for more services to be offered to those in the municipal court system. After vetting many qualified candidates, County Executive Page appointed two judges to the municipal court bench: Judge Carla Allen-Hughes and Provisional Judge Michael Schlueter. The Court’s expansion plan also included the hiring of five court clerks, allowing for greatly enhanced and expanded services, and increased efficiency.

Re-imaging Co-Occurring Court

Municipal Court rolled out Phase 1 of the re-imagined Co-Occurring Specialty Court and made the program available to all municipal divisions in St. Louis County. Participants are referred to the program and undergo a screening process that includes meeting with mental health professionals to determine what services will be needed to best support the participant’s successful completion of the program.

The structure of the program was also improved to include phases that include the completion of milestones specific to the phase and participant. A community service requirement was added and increased monitoring by Justice Services and the court throughout the program.

Municipal Courts launches Fresh Start Fridays

Municipal Court launched a new initiative this year called Fresh Start Fridays. It’s a virtual docket that allows those with active warrants for traffic and nonviolent offenses in St. Louis County Municipal Court to ask for a new court date every Friday without the fear of being arrested. The County knows that outstanding warrants for nonviolent offenses can create barriers to employment and Municipal Court made this program a priority to help the community.

Contracting with municipalities

Municipal Court began offering contract court services to the municipalities in St. Louis County. This partnership represented a unique opportunity where municipalities may choose to transfer the operations of their courts to the County’s Municipal Court, all while keeping court sessions close to constituents’ homes.

The County is excited to welcome those municipalities that have chosen to take advantage of the contract opportunities and look forward to further growth.

More than 2 million enjoy Parks programs

The Parks and Recreation Department takes pride in being the regional park system, and staff always strive to offer new and unique outings for residents and families. Program staff successfully held 1,334 programs in 2022 with the total attendance of 2,341,221. Highlights include Touch-a-Truck, Children’s Garden Club, Farm Fridays, history programs, and holiday events.

Queeny Park sold 105 group hayrides generating $15,750 in revenue.

Volunteers donated 71,420 hours which gives an in-kind labor value of over $2.1 million.

North County Recreation Complex saw a 175% increase in gym rentals compared to 2021.

The Pavilion at Lemay averaged 50 people per day for open pickleball play.

Greensfelder Rec Complex’s renovation

Located in Queeny Park, the Greensfelder Recreation Complex recently underwent a $10 million renovation that includes new ice rink refrigeration package, new ice rink locker rooms and dasher boards, circle drive for drop off and pick up, new lobby, patio, reception desk, and offices.

Restoring prairies and conducting controlled burns

The Natural Resources/Environmental Division is responsible for preserving the County’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural resources, and creating high-quality outdoor recreation and nature study. Parks staff continued to work this year to manage the County’s beautiful prairies, woodlands, savannas, and wetlands while battling invasive species, such as honeysuckle, throughout the 11,400 acres the department maintains.

In a cooperative agreement working with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Great Rivers Greenway, Open Space Council of St. Louis

and the Parks Department, staff worked to re-construct 25 acres of native habitat at St. Vincent Park.

Other projects this year include:

• Secured a $23,000 grant from Missouri Department of Conservation for prescribed fire operations and invasive plant removal

• Assisted Forestry with a prescribed burn at Lone Elk Park

• Finalized bid specifications and awarded a three-year contract for prescribed burns

Park Rangers host 191 programs

St. Louis County Park Rangers are responsible for public relations, protection, and programming in the parks. With seven recreational facilities, six historic and cultural sites, and over 70 park destinations, our Park Rangers have a big job.

In 2022, the Ranger Division played a significant role in two major Parks Department events: managed deer hunts and Winter Wonderland. They also conducted 191 programs with

an attendance of 2,766 people. Rangers made 119,192 public relations contacts, secured 12,866 gates and 14,245 restrooms, conducted 753 hours

of foot patrols, 61 hours of ATV/UTV patrols, issued 3,407 written and verbal warnings, issued 143 Citations/Summons, and wrote 61 reports.

37th year of Winter Wonderland

The 37th annual Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park opened in November 2022 with hundreds of holiday displays and millions of twinkling lights. Walk nights continued to gain popularity as 27,079 people enjoyed walking through this timehonored holiday tradition over seven nights. Additionally, 21,414 people rode in 3,524 carriage rides and 16,438 vehicles drove through the light display.

Parks by the numbers...

For the first time since 1980, St. Louis County will develop a comprehensive plan. St. Louis County 2050 will chart a path for the state’s most populated county that expands socio-economic opportunity and addresses the challenges presented by global climate change. This plan will incorporate traditional planning components and innovative comprehensive

Work begins on Comprehensive Plan Planning benchmarks

The Planning Commission heard 40 petitions requesting a change in zoning, Planned District, or Special Procedure. The Board of Zoning Adjustment heard 102 appeals to the strict application of Zoning Ordinance regulations. The Department of Planning received 54 Site Development Plan (SDP) submittals for review for compliance with Zoning Ordinance requirements.

In total, the Department and Commission reviewed and approved 80 Site Development Plans.

The Department of Planning received 74 submissions of Subdivision Plats for review, including 20 Boundary Adjustment Plats, one

planning mapping tools to facilitate development decisions that further long-range goals. Community visioning and

recommendations deriving from the Comprehensive Plan will provide a foundation for all other community strategic planning.

Condominium Plat, and 15 Preliminary Plats. The Department facilitated the execution of escrow agreements for 37 Major Land Disturbance Permits, securing $847,230.20 in funds to guarantee stormwater and pollution prevention improvements. Additionally, the Department secured $492,067.76 in funds to guarantee landscape improvements in developments governed by Planned Districts or Special Procedures. The Department and Planning Commission approved plans to facilitate the development of 50 new multiple-family units and 306 single-family residences and escrowed $64,677.71 to guarantee subdivision improvements.

In 2022, the Department of Planning hired three new planners, all recent graduates, filling needs left in the wake of the retirement last year of three long-time staff members who took more than 100 years of combined experience with them when they left. This has allowed the department to expand their work, including preparation for St. Louis County 2050: An Equitable and Sustainable Comprehensive Plan.

Violent crime decreases in 2022

The Bureau of Crimes Against Persons handled a total of 58 homicide investigations. This is a decrease of eight from 2021. There were 45 homicides in the unincorporated areas of St. Louis County and the municipalities to which the department provides full services. The department assisted municipal partners with 13 homicides. The clearance rate is approximately 87%.

The Department handled approximately 1,611 aggravated assaults in 2022 up from 1,402 in 2021.

Robberies are down to 232 in 2022 from 292 in 2021.

Arson is down to 62 incidents in 2022 compared to 70 in 2021. Motor vehicle theft increased from 1,672 last year to 2,672 in 2022.

Police see strong recruit class

The Police Department numbered 1,208 employees among its ranks in 2022, of which 858 were commissioned police officers, 350 served as professional staff, and 14 were Police Cadets assigned to the Bureau of Community Engagement. The Department continued its focus on hiring a diverse workforce. The Department hired 112 new employees of which 79 were white, 24 Black, 11 Hispanic, four Asian/Pacific Islander, and four who identified as more than one race/ethnicity. Of the new hires, 43 were women.

And prospects are strong for the future. The current police academy class has 38 recruits, 18 of which are County hires. The class will graduate in June 2023.

Diversity training continues

The Diversity and Inclusion Unit has provided Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) training to 993 commissioned police officers. ABLE training will be provided to all new academy classes and newly hired experienced officers.

The Bureau of Communications handled 703,361 total radio calls for service for 2022. 227,406 calls were initiated from phone calls from the public. 294,395 calls were initiated by officers. 181,560 were assists. For comparison purposes, the same time span in 2021, the Bureau of Communications handled 743,226 total radio calls. 230,672 calls were initiated from phone calls from the public. 327,779 calls were initiated by officers. 184,775 calls were assists.

The Public Information Office issued 18 official press releases and 202 news releases and assisted the media in countless endeavors. Three Critical Incident Videos were released to the public to improve transparency regarding officer involved shootings and other critical incidents. These videos were the first of this type to be released from any area agency.

Responding to Omicron variant

The grip of Covid-19 continued into 2022 with the emergence of Omicron, a highly contagious variant. It was vital to get more tests out in the community to stop the spread. The Department of Public Health (DPH) worked with the St. Louis County Library and other partners to offer free testing. Over the course of the year, more than 35,000 PCR tests were conducted, and another 55,000 at-home antigen tests were distributed. The department also established a telephone number, email, and online form for residents to submit results of the athome antigen tests, which dramatically rose in use through the first half of the year.

In September, DPH added a powerful new weapon in the fight against COVID-19: the bivalent vaccine booster. The updated boosters were

specifically designed to fight the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants – the most transmissible versions of the virus, and the most common in St. Louis County. When the original vaccine and booster shots were created, these new variants didn’t exist.

DPH used its communications channels to strongly encourage everyone eligible to get a booster shot, and the initial public response was positive. By year’s end, DPH had administered more than 18,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters. Of those doses, nearly 1,000 were administered to infants. These efforts resulted in St. Louis County having fully vaccinated about 65 percent of its residents for COVID-19 – the top percentage in the state. Additionally, Corrections Medicine team members administered 658 COVID-19 vaccinations at the Justice Center in 2022 and helped 91 jail residents apply for Medicaid.

Vaccine leader for Monkeypox

August brought St. Louis County its first monkeypox case. Monkeypox, or Mpox, is a rare illness caused by infection with the Mpox virus, related to the virus that causes smallpox. Mpox patients usually have flu-like symptoms and fatigue, followed by a rash that looks like pimples, sores or blisters. The sores can be painful or itchy and may first appear in the genital area. Mpox is rarely fatal.

Soon after the outbreak began, the state health department designated DPH as the vaccine hub for St. Louis County, the City of St. Louis, and St. Charles and Jefferson counties. DPH worked with its partners to reach everyone that the state deemed eligible to be vaccinated. The efforts included outreach at Tower Grove Pride in September, in which more than 500 people received the vaccine. A series of social media videos were also

Recycling programs established

created to help educate people on Mpox and vaccinations. Those videos garnered more than 7,700 views.

The department also worked with healthcare partners across the region to teach them how to recognize and test for Mpox.

By the end of the year, DPH completed nearly 800 Mpox vaccination appointments and distributed 1,500 vials of vaccine to partners in the regions, including other health departments, resulting in at least 4,500 additional vaccinations.

The Recycling division worked with the village of Hillsdale and the city of Kinloch to help establish recycling in these communities by providing both resources and education to ensure successful programs. Through municipal grants, the program provided funding and resources to 19 municipalities.

Helping first-time moms and families

The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program is the gold standard of home visiting programs locally and nationally. The program provides services to first-time moms from pregnancy up until the baby is two years old. NFP services target the prevention of child abuse and neglect, the improvement of pregnancy outcomes, the economic self-sufficiency of the family, and healthy child development. NFP performed outreach

to 80 community organizations, providers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and schools throughout 2022. Outreach efforts included presentations, meetings, telephone calls, and mailings. As a result, the NFP team doubled its number of monthly client visits from 51 in January to 105 in November.

Public health nurses completed 26 health promotion presentations at local childcare centers in 2022 as part

of the Childcare Health Consultation grant program. In 2022, DPH nurses completed about

150 home visits with a focus on prenatal, postpartum, infant, and toddler education.

APA takes over pet adoptions

The Animal Care and Control (ACC) transformation has been in full swing since the contract with the Animal Protection Association to take over management of the shelter was executed in late August. The discovery and review process is progressing well with productive conversations about the division of labor between animal control and shelter functions, the division of the space at the Baur Shelter and the deep cleaning of kennels, offices, and storage areas. APA has extended offers of employment to many ACC staff currently working in functions related to shelter and veterinary operations. DPH and APA leadership consistently meet to ensure smooth communication and address challenges as they arise. At the time of the transition, the shelter had adopted out 427 animals over the course of 2022.

Recovering $440M in past due taxes

Through targeted collection efforts, including two new staff members dedicated to recovering delinquent taxes, the Collector of Revenue recovered $440 million in past due taxes.

Additionally, the office collected $10.1 million from the annual tax sale while also reducing the number of properties auctioned at the event due to increased collection efforts to return properties

back onto the tax rolls.

The Licensing division was also able to successfully increase hotel tax collection by 55 percent through recovery of delinquent taxes. Overall, 4,000 liquor licenses and over 500 amusement and miscellaneous licenses were issued and over $54 million was collected from licensing revenue.

Software upgrade

In April, the Recorder of Deeds office expanded its digital services and made it easier for residents to apply for a marriage license and deed recordings online. Couples getting married can now apply for a marriage license online and search marriage records.

Additionally, all land records dating to 1877 are currently in a digital format with indexing going back to 1974.

27,000 sign-ups for Property Fraud Alerts

According to the FBI, property fraud is one of the fastest growing white-collar crimes. To help residents safeguard their most valuable asset, their homes, the Recorder of Deeds office launched Property Fraud Alerts, a subscription service that allows homeowners to track possible fraudulent activity. Property owners in St. Louis County can enroll free of charge and are notified when documents with their registered name are recorded.

Since launching the program, 27,000 homeowners have signed up for this free subscription service.

In-person services go Q-Less

The Recorder of Deeds also launched the Honors Reward program that allows veterans to receive discounts from local businesses and retailers that participate in the program. Over 900 veterans have signed up for the program.

The departments of Revenue and Administration worked collaboratively with the IT Department to implement Q-Less, a virtual lobby for those seeking in-person government services. This program launched in November and further improved the customer service experience.

Spirit Airport’s busy year

Spirit of St. Louis Airport has been one of the Midwest’s premier business aviation centers for more than 50 years. Much more than just a place to land, Spirit is a benefit-packed resource for pilots, passengers, and businesses.

The Airport recorded 143,570 aircraft operations in 2022, making it one of the busiest in years, and sold more than 7.5 million gallons of fuel, among the highest total in the last 20 years.

The Airport successfully completed its annual Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspection and safety audit. This is a multiple-day event that reviews certification records in detail followed by a very in-depth physical inspection of the entire facility. Spirit Airport received a perfect score, and an inspector called it one

of the best airports in the four-state region.

Crews painted the entire airfield movement and non-movement areas which included all runways and taxiways and replaced the floors in two hangars.

Director of Aviation John Bales participated in a roundtable with four other Airport Directors from the region’s busiest airports hosted by Bi-State Development / St. Louis Regional Freightways.

County tackles problem properties

The County is committed to stepping up to address abandoned properties in unincorporated St. Louis County, however, finding the funds has been one of the challenges in addressing this public health and safety issue.

In October, the County Council committed $11 million in federal relief money allowing the County to make real headway in taking down vacant buildings. Taking down a property and cleaning up a lot can cost as much as $30,000.

“Addressing these

types of buildings will increase property values, provide development opportunities, and create safer, more attractive neighborhoods, especially in unincorporated parts of St. Louis County like Castle Point, Spanish Lake and

The Nuisance Abatement Team in Transportation and Public Works monitored

1,196 properties and conducted 563 property cleanups that resulted in the removal of 3,400 cubic yards of brush and rubbish and 165 tires. The crews also removed 237 trash cans that were returned to the trash hauler and mowed 2,629 lots.

Glasgow Village,” County Executive Dr. Sam Page said.

This year, the Problem Property Unit in the Department of Transportation and Public Works was able to take down a handful of vacant

and abandoned buildings. In partnership with law enforcement and code enforcement, they tackle and solve especially persistent problem properties.

In May, County Executive Page and Councilwoman Shalonda Webb joined dozens of volunteers for a community clean-up day in Castle Point. Debris, trash, and brush were removed from 30 vacant properties in the neighborhood. With these federal funds, the County can take down the vacant and abandoned homes that cannot be addressed by volunteers on a clean-up day.

Plan to go electric

It’s clear that vehicle production is moving to electric, and St. Louis County government is preparing to do its part by electrifying our vehicle fleet and reducing the County’s carbon footprint. In November, the County put its first electric vehicle into its fleet, a Ford F-150 Lightning and also unveiled its 5-year Electric Vehicle plan. The goal of that plan is to convert 27 percent of the light-duty vehicle fleet to electric vehicles by 2027.

The County generally spends more than $79,000 to buy, operate, and maintain a gaspowered new F-150 truck throughout its

lifetime. This new F-150 Lightning cost $47,065 to purchase, a slight increase in cost that will be recuperated by decreased fuel and maintenance costs.

“Research shows that electric vehicles are 40 percent less expensive to maintain than internal combustion engine vehicles,” said Mandy La Brier, the County’s Director of Sustainability.

St. Louis County operates a fleet of nearly 1,400 vehicles and out of those, 1,051 are light duty vehicles. These light duty vehicles consist of vans, sedans, SUVs, crossovers, and pickup trucks, and they are the most used vehicles by County employees. The Department of Transportation and Public Works will identify light-duty vehicles that are eligible for replacement with either a battery electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid vehicle, or hybrid electric vehicle. The typical life cycle for a non-police vehicle is 12 years in age or 160,000 miles.

Construction begins on new precincts

With shovels in hand and construction crews on site, ground was broken this year on two new St. Louis County Police precincts. Building the two new precincts will cost $26.6 million. That funding comes from Proposition P, a public safety sales tax approved by voters in 2017.

“St. Louis County is fortunate to have a professional, well-trained police department. Public safety is the top issue of our residents and business, and they have come to expect a safe place to live, work, and raise a family,” County Executive Page said. “We look forward to enhancing these precincts, providing appropriate space for our officers to work safely, and to continue providing the level of service our residents have come to expect.”

The Affton-Southwest precinct will be more than 15,000 square feet, three times the size of the existing precinct. It should open in early 2024.

The North County precinct will be more than 17,000 square feet, doubling the size of the current building being used. It is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2023.

“Since I’ve been chief starting in 2021, I’ve been given constant updates about these precincts by Dr. Sam Page. I’ve been given updates on these precincts by Project Director Kevin Underwood. I’ve been given precinct updates by Captain Means and Captain Cunningham,” Chief Gregory said. “We’re anxious about getting these precincts done. It’s going to be a big asset for this department.”

In May, our Department of Transportation conducted a speed reduction demonstration to give residents an idea of what slowdown measures would best serve the neighborhood. We want to make Castle Point safer for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and children walking to and from school.

TPW by the numbers ...

57,256 construction permits issued

139,370 residential property inspections

2,129 vehicles maintained

19,401 Repairs completed

184 bridge safety inspections

10,185 Total Work OrderS

Two online auctions netted $567,972

18,379 Tons of asphalt placed

11,023 street signs installed and replaced

22,648 Tons of salt spread to melt snow and ice

Completed a modern hybrid work environment buildout on the 7th floor of the Administration building for the Performance Management and Budget office (PMB).

AWARDS

Fiscal Management and Performance Management and Budget

St. Louis County was excited to be named a Triple Crown Winner by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). GFOA recognizes governments as Triple Crown Winners for receiving the association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

St. Louis County was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by GFOA for its 2020 Annual Comprehensive

Financial Report. This was the 40th consecutive year that St. Louis County has received this honor.

Information Technology

• Davey Award: This international award is focused exclusively on honoring outstanding creative work from the best small shops from across the world. The Davey Award committee honored St. Louis County for its new website.

• Central for Digital GovernmentGovernment Experience Award 2022 Overall County Government Experience Winner. This national award recognizes the achievements and best practices of states, cities and counties that have radically improved the experience of government and pushed the boundaries for delivery of services to constituents.

• Standard of Excellence Award from WebAward. Winners at this level demonstrate that their site is above

average and will receive a personalized WebAward certificate for their efforts.

• Gold Award from DotCom. This award reflects an international competition honoring excellence in web creativity and digital communication.

Parks and Recreation

Yvette Bly, Environmental Specialist with St. Louis County Parks, was awarded the 2022 Missouri Park and Recreation Association Award for Outstanding New Professional in Park Resources in March 2022.

Dennis Hogan, Environmental Specialist with St. Louis County Parks, received the Open Space Council for the Saint Louis Region’s Land Conservancy Award in December 2022.

Public Health

Kim Williams, environmental representative at DPH, was given a Green Team award and named a member of the Chesterfield Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee by the city of Chesterfield. Kim was thanked for her participation in Chesterfield and for her innovative education efforts to reduce use of plastics and encourage recycling.

Registered nurse Susan Freise received the 2022 Missouri Public Health Association’s Public Health Nurse of the Year award.

Dr. Mary Case, former chief medical examiner, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Center on Shaken Bab Syndrome, “for dedicating her life to being a voice for children.”