County Executive Sam Page unveiled his 2026 budget proposal for St. Louis County this past Wednesday, prioritizing public safety, public health, and infrastructure maintenance without further cuts. To tackle a projected $60 million deficit and reduce the total budget by 8.4% from the previous year, Page is making some moves. According to the budget document made public, a proposed online sales tax could generate substantial revenue, earmarked for improving local law enforcement wages, roadworks, and recreational facilities. The budget requests a total of $1,093,131,306 from the County Council.
In pursuit of closing the financial gap, Dr. Page is eyeing the online sales tax, which could yield between $45-$75 million annually, already in effect at brick-and-mortar locations. Presenting his case, Page said, "If this online sales tax is approved by voters, it could produce $45-$75 million each year, creating much-needed revenue so Saint Louis County can continue to competitively pay our police officers, better invest in our roads, and improve our parks and recreation system," as per a statement from St. Louis County news release. The County Executive believes the added funds could also benefit local municipalities with an additional $20-$40 million.
While this new taxation is projected to level the playing field for local businesses against online competitors, refunding the balance of the budget is also partly reliant on using a piece of the NFL settlement. Sam Page's approach appears to stitch together a fiscal plan that addresses immediate deficits while banking on the support of the April 2026 ballot for a longer-term solution.
Emphasizing the purpose of county governance, "The role of County government is to make sure residents have safe neighborhoods, well maintained road, vibrant parks, and reliable services," said Dr. Page, as reported in the St. Louis County statement. This budget proposal and the push for an online sales tax are clearly framed as strategic moves by Page's administration to maintain service levels residents in St. Louis County have come to expect.
