RubinBrown Public Sector Municipal Stats 2019

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ST. LOUIS METROPOLITAN AREA

41 NUMBER OF

22,000 AVERAGE POPULATION

3.3% MEDIAN CHANGE IN NET POSITION

MUNICIPALITIES

Unrestricted General Fund Balance as % of Expenditures (median – all cities)

2017 Unrestricted General Fund Balance as % of Expenditures (median – all cities) Since 2016, the St. Louis area has experienced a steady pace of growth in net position and related revenue growth. The median change in net position for St. Louis unicipalities increased to 3.3% in 2018. More cites ended the year with a surplus than in the past. That was not the case in 2016; the region rebounded with only 10 cities in 2017 and 9 in 2018, reporting decreases in government- wide net position with an average loss of 7.9% and 11.9%, respectively. In 2016, 11 of 41 St. Louis municipalities (or 27%) reported a decrease in government-wide net position at an average decrease of over 30%. The increased growth in net position experienced in 2017 and 2018 gain additional clarity when tax revenue per capita and expenses per capita are examined. Median tax revenue per capita for St. Louis municipalities remained flat in 2017, but median expenses per capita decreased 5.9% . In 2018, median tax revenues per capita increased 4.9% while median expenses increased 7.9%. Another important indicator of financial strength is how much debt the region is assuming. Median long-term debt per capita in the region (excluding pension or other non-bonded debt) increased prior to 2015; however, in 2016 decreased new debt activity took place due to higher interest rates and new tax laws. This trend continued in 2017, but reversed in 2018 to more normal levels. The unrestricted general fund balance as percent of expenditures continues to show a strong financial position for area governments – maintaining an unrestricted fund balance of almost 50% of annual expenditures. During 2018, one city had negative fund balance, a first in a long time. 2015 2016

48.3%

2014

45.9%

2015

44.3%

2016

49.6%

2017

47.1%

2018

40% 50% 60%

Median Dollars Per Capita

$1,500

$1,201

$1,183

$1,250

$1,113

Tax Revenue Expenses Total Debt

$1,059

$1,008

$1,000

$904

$862

$865

$841

$768

$750

$776

$738

$725

$715

$682

$500