Politics & Government
County Council Supports Resolution for Family Courts Building
The council will consider whether to put a bond issue before voters as early as April that would fund the construction of a new St. Louis County Family Court Center in Clayton.
Members of the St. Louis County Council showed unanimous support on Tuesday for a resolution supporting construction of a new St. Louis County Family Court Center.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Tuesday that council members have begun the process of putting a $100 million bond issue on the April ballot to build a new family courts building and to refurbish the St. Louis County Courts Building. Both facilities are located in .
County Council Chairman Steve Stenger (D-South St. Louis County) told the Post-Dispatch that a resolution expressing support for the project is the first step to getting the measure on the ballot. That resolution passed the council Tuesday without opposition.
Find out what's happening in Mehlville-Oakvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Councilwoman Hazel Erby (D-University City) said in an interview after the council meeting that it is time to replace the family courts building. The structure is not sufficient to handle cases that usually involve children, she said.
“The conditions where the children are kept when they are in custody in courts—it’s close quarters,” Erby said. “It’s dangerous, and I’m supportive" of building a new facility.
Find out what's happening in Mehlville-Oakvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In 2008, a St. Louis County bond issue that would have included a family courts building and courthouse improvements failed to capture enough votes to move forward. Asked if the proposal on the table will be successful, Erby said, "Hopefully we can convey to the voters that there is a need.”
The bond initiative would need to receive 57.15 percent of the vote to pass.
DOOLEY WORKING WITH COUNCIL ON BUDGET
After , St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley said Tuesday he’s still working with council members on the budget.
But Dooley wouldn’t provide specifics on what the proposal might be, referencing continuing talks with council members.
“We’re in that process now,” Dooley said. “I’m not going to comment because we’re in the process now of the budget process. Until we get to that point, we won’t know.”
Dooley said there has to be a budget before the council by Nov. 1.
The plan—which , among other expenses—got scrapped after a backlash from members of the council. , saying he did not communicate well enough about the proposal.
