RubinBrown Public Sector Municipal Stats 2018

ST. LOUIS METROPOLITAN AREA

41 NUMBER OF

Unrestricted General Fund Balance as % of Expenditures (median – all cities) 22,000 AVERAGE POPULATION

3.1% MEDIAN CHANGE IN NET POSITION

33

MUNICIPALITIES

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

More cities in the St. Louis region ended the year with a surplus than in the past, with only ten cities (or 24.3%) reporting decreases in government-wide net position. In 2016, 11 of the 41 St. Louis municipalities (or 26.8%) reported a decrease in government-wide net position. However, the average loss of these cities with a decrease in net position decreased to 7.9% compared to over 30.9% in 2016. The cause of this increased growth in net position in 2017 is evident when we examine revenue per capita and expenses per capita. Median revenue per capita for St. Louis municipalities remained flat in 2017, but median expenses per capita decreased 5.9% to a more normal level compared to prior years. Another important indicator of financial strength is how much debt the region is assuming. Median long-term debt per capita in the St. Louis region (which excludes pension or other non-bonded debt) had been increasing up to 2015. During 2016 and 2017, there was less new debt activity due to higher interest rates. Finally, the most scrutinized ratio is the general fund’s unrestricted fund balance as compared to operating expenditures. This shows a very strong financial position for St. Louis area governments, which are maintaining unrestricted fund balance equal to almost half of annual expenditures.

56.9%

2015

2013

48.3%

2016

2014

45.9%

2017

2015

44.3%

2016

49.6%

2017

40% 50% 60%

Median Dollars Per Capita

$1,500

$1,183

$1,250

$1,113

Tax Revenue Expenses Total Debt

$1,059

$1,008

$1,008

$1,000

$865

$862

$841

$775

$768

$750

$776

$738

$715

$682

2013 $620

$500

2014

2015

2016

2017

RubinBrown Public Sector Municipal Stats 2018

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