2011 budget summary - St. Louis County

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe 2011 budget for the Office is $1,996,944, adecrease of $73,217 or 3.5%. This decrease isdue to the defunding of one vacant position andturnover savings.County CounselorThe County Counselor’s Office functions includeprosecution of County ordinance violations,legal representation of the County in lawsuitsfiled by or against the County, drafting oflegislation and contracts, and the provision oflegal advice to County departments asrequested.The 2011 budget for the office is $2,743,175, adecrease of $13,159 or 0.5%. This decrease isachieved due to savings in professional (legal)services, reduced employee travel, anddeferring the replacement of computerequipment.Miscellaneous OfficesMiscellaneous Offices includes budgets for theUniversity of Missouri Extension Center, SpecialProjects, Fire Standards Commission, BoundaryCommission, and the St. Louis County EconomicCouncil.The University of Missouri Extension Centerprovides office space, clerical, administrativeand program support for all University Outreachand Extension activities conducted in St. LouisCounty. The Center provides Universityresources, educational materials and expertisein ten major program categories: Business andIndustry, Community and EconomicDevelopment; Continuing ProfessionalDevelopment; Family Resource Development;Nutrition Programs; 4‐H Youth Programs;Horticulture; Housing and EnvironmentalImpact; Labor Education; and Urban Youth andFamily Issues.The Special Projects budget includes funding tosupport the County's interest in variousagencies, organizations, and services.The Fire Standards Commission was establishedby Article VI, Section 6.040 of the 1979 St. LouisCounty Charter. The Commission establishesand provides for minimum training andeducational standards for firefighters. It issuesregulations for any person performing theduties of a firefighter for any municipality, fireprotection district or other public agency in St.Louis County.The St. Louis County Boundary Commission is anindependent commission established by statelaw to review proposed changes in boundaries.St. Louis County must pay reasonable costs ofoperation including professional staff, clericalsupport, legal services, and the basic officeexpenses of space rental, utilities and supplies.The Economic Council of St. Louis Countypromotes economic development in St. LouisCounty and is involved in the promotion anddevelopment of long‐term, diversified businessand employment opportunities.The 2011 budget for the Miscellaneous Officesis $4,289,158, an increase of $102,264 or 2.4%.The majority of the budget for MiscellaneousOffices is for the Economic Council.The budget for the Economic Council of$3,361,590 is an increase $156,926 or 4.8%.This increase is due to the required debt servicefor Business Incubator Special Obligation Bondswhich were issued during 2010. This increasewas partially offset by the elimination of onetimefunds provided to the Economic Council in2010.AdministrationThe Department of Administration providesadministrative services to all St. Louis Countyoffices and departments. These servicesinclude Accounting, Budgeting, InformationTechnology, Personnel, Employee Benefits,Retirement, Procurement and General Services,Customer Service and Treasury. Some of theresponsibilities within those service areas- 40 -