St. Louis County faces $65 million budget deficit as executive race intensifies

St. Louis County is facing a $65 million budget deficit for 2027, a shortfall that current County Executive Sam Page’s proposed plan leaves unfunded without new revenue or the use of one-time funds. The financial strain has become the central issue in the race for county executive, with candidates framing the coming fiscal year as a test of administrative competence and political will.

Jake Zimmerman, the Democratic nominee, describes the county’s current trajectory as a path to bankruptcy. He argues that the reserves previously used to close annual deficits are nearly exhausted and that federal pandemic funds are no longer available. Page’s proposal includes the elimination of 139 positions to mitigate the gap, but Zimmerman contends that cuts alone are insufficient to prevent what he calls damaging and unconscionable reductions in services.

Zimmerman contrasts his approach with that of his Republican opponent, Councilman Dennis Hancock of Fenton. While Hancock focuses on efficiency and cost control, Zimmerman is open to including tax increases in the budget conversation. He identifies a tax on online purchases as the most sensible revenue source, arguing that it avoids discriminating against local businesses. Voters rejected such a tax twice in the past four years, with the most recent failure occurring in August of this year.

The candidate cites a breakdown in trust between the county government and its residents as a primary reason for recent election results. He points to the 2019 imprisonment of former executive Steve Stenger for steering contracts to a campaign donor, as well as the Department of Revenue’s spending millions on a nonfunctional software system. Zimmerman notes that Page and the county council have been in a public feud since the pandemic, which he believes has eroded public confidence in elected officials' ability to manage resources effectively.

Hancock is running on a platform of ending the conflict between the executive and legislative branches. He is specifically targeting Democrats who opposed Zimmerman in the primary, noting that more party members supported his rivals than his eventual nominee. Former state Representative Bob Burns, who is backing Hancock, stated that he does not view Zimmerman as a bad executive, but he believes Hancock represents a better choice for the role.

Zimmerman’s path to the general election was marked by a competitive three-way Democratic primary. Although he secured the nomination, the result split the party’s vote. He acknowledges the electoral math but maintains a message of bipartisan governance, stating that he works for all residents regardless of their party affiliation. He aims to balance the budget and restore cooperation between the county council and the executive office.

The campaign has evolved from the remote format of the 2020 election, which Zimmerman described as the strangest he had ever participated in. He is now engaging in traditional campaigning, including private gatherings and town hall meetings. He is also using these appearances to support other Democratic candidates across the ballot.

Both candidates position themselves as the stabilizing force needed to repair the county’s administrative relationships. Zimmerman points to his 15 years as county assessor, a role he has held since 2011, as evidence of his ability to manage complex operations without scandal. He takes pride in running his office with honesty and integrity, a standard he intends to apply to the entire county government.

The general election will determine which strategy prevails: one focused on expanding revenue and restoring trust, or one focused on strict cost control and administrative overhaul. The outcome will set the financial direction for the county as it attempts to close the largest deficit in recent history.