At the brink of layoffs, prosecutor’s office pushes for funds

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office budget crisis reached the point of possible layoffs, according to County Executive Sam Page.

After heated moments Tuesday, the St. Louis County Council approved the supplemental budget request.

The latest reported emergency comes after FOX 2 reported last week about the prosecutor's office failure to buy basic supplies.

The office said it was due to a software problem at the Missouri Department of Revenue. It was reported that DOR was behind in reimbursing prosecutors for their work holding tax delinquents responsible because of the computer glitch.

The St. Louis County executive then warned in a letter Friday that there are now additional budget shortfalls. Page said they arose from a recent collective bargaining agreement and retirement payouts, as well as that action needed to be taken at Tuesday's budget meeting to avoid layoffs.

Spire Missouri to lower monthly gas bills by 16% in St. Louis area

Page added in the letter, "The Prosecuting Attorney's Office warned in its 2024 budget presentation that it was operating on a "maintenance" budget with no room for cuts. Nonetheless, the office's budget was reduced by $681,771.00, and now we are seeing the consequences."

A special budget meeting called Tuesday became heated when Councilman Mark Harder challenged Prosecutor Chief of Staff Andrea Harrington about savings the office made when some big salary employees recently left.

"Why are you asking me these questions?" Harrington said at one point.

Harder answered, "I'm trying to find..."

Harrington quipped, "You already know the answers."

Harder replied, "No, I don't because..."

Harrington added, "You don't know that Sam Alton left the employment of the prosecuting attorney's office?"

Harder said, "I do know, but I'm asking you—I don't know why you're being so confrontational—but what I'm asking is, we're trying to find the savings and all these people have left, yet you're saying we need more money."

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News Harrington said the departures did save the office money, but not enough to make up for a $680,000+ budget cut made this year by council. She says the prosecutor's office is simply asking for about half of that amount to be returned so it can maintain criminal cases.

Councilwoman Rita Heard Days challenged the prosecutor's office on why they would be in a rush to hire new people right now.

"The next prosecuting attorney, there may be a difference in maybe a philosophy in what these attorneys have and what he or she wants to have in the next go-round," she said.

Harrington says they will be leaving positions open for their new leader, but they must immediately fill important vacancies so they don't jeopardize crucial cases.

The St. Louis County Council later in the evening approved the funding request, staving off the layoff crisis.