ST. LOUIS — A proposal to broaden how the city can spend revenue dedicated to North-South MetroLink is listed for a public hearing Wednesday, Oct. 21, before the Board of Aldermen’s Budget and Public Employees Committee.
Board Bill 59 would seek an April 6, 2027, election on allowing that portion of an existing half-cent sales tax to support bus rapid transit, North-South MetroLink or other mass-transit initiatives authorized by city government.
The proposal concerns permitted uses of existing tax revenue, rather than a new increase in the sales-tax rate. Its proposed ballot language also addresses previously collected transit revenue and annual public audits.
The introduced bill describes the 2017 Proposition 1 allocation as 60% for North-South MetroLink, with the remaining revenue divided among neighborhood revitalization, workforce development, public safety and infrastructure. It proposes expanding the transit portion’s uses, not treating the entire half-cent tax as a rail-only fund.
Alderman Rasheen Aldridge introduced the measure July 10, with Board President Megan E. Green as co-sponsor. The city’s bill history lists it as held in committee Oct. 8. It is not an enacted change or a final, certified ballot measure.
Wednesday’s meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. in Kennedy Room 208 at City Hall, 1200 Market St. The city’s event listing provides in-person and virtual participation instructions and identifies the bill for public comment. Residents should check that listing for meeting updates.
Sources: City of St. Louis: Oct. 21 committee meeting; Board Bill 59 text and legislative history.
