The speaker listed four approaches to avert police layoffs: spend remaining NFL settlement funds as a bridge, partially roll up property taxes, place a use/sales tax (Proposition U) on a later ballot, or temporarily redirect youth-sports/tourism funds — each with tradeoffs and timing concerns.

St. Louis County’s executive said the county has a 15-year structural deficit and warned one-time NFL settlement and pandemic relief funds will run out in about a year, forcing either deep service cuts—likely to public safety—or new recurring revenue.

At its final 2025 meeting the St. Louis County Board approved the 2026 budget and a 12.4% levy after extended debate and a 6–1 roll-call vote. Commissioners split over a proposed scholarship endowment and use of opioid‑settlement funds.