RubinBrown Public Sector Stats 2013

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St. Louis Metropolitan Area

The 2012 results for the St. Louis area reflect the modest economic recovery as previously mentioned. The average increase in net assets for St. Louis municipalities was 4.7% in 2012, as compared with 8.6% in 2011 and 0.2% in 2010. Furthermore, 5 of the 41 St. Louis municipalities (or 12%) reported a decrease in government-wide net assets in 2012, as compared with 5% in 2011.

The cause of this slow down in the change in net assets is evident when revenue per capita and expenses per capita are examined. As indicated in the chart below, revenue per capita for St. Louis municipalities increased from $853 in 2010, to $924 in 2011, to $963 in 2012. Per capita expenses also increased for St. Louis area municipalities at almost double the rate of revenues, from $1,075 in 2011 to $1,154 in 2012. This increase in expenses is responsible for the decline in average increase in net assets as discussed above. Additionally, in spite of the slow growth discussed above, St. Louis municipalities have managed to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet their ongoing financial needs. The average liquidity ratio for St. Louis municipalities in 2012 was 4.10, an increase from the 2011 average of 3.93. This certainly is a positive indicator for the region, as it demonstrates that area municipalities are well positioned to withstand short-term cash shortfalls. Indeed, 31 of the 41 participating St. Louis municipalities had a liquidity ratio of 2.0 or greater.

Tax Revenue Per Capita

Expenses Per Capita

$1,100 $1,200 $1,300

$1,164

$1,130

$1,075

$963

$1,000

$924

$917

$895

$885

$853

$600 $700 $800 $900 $500 $400 $300 $200 $100

$751

$722

$697

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012