Barrett Station Place.com

Not having experience in matters of annexation, your trustees contacted St. Louis County to learn more.  Veteran county employee Lori Fiegel received our request and spent about 20 minutes explaining the complexities of of annexation in St. Louis County.

Here is a basic summary of the conversation with Lori:

     •  Boundary commissions are initiated by each city
     •  Des Peres has very specific policies
     •  Des Peres is very selective on what areas they annex
     •  The annexation window opens every 5 years, it closes in 2010
     •  Annexation is generally too costly for cities, which is why they avoid it

The cost for a city like Des Peres is tied to fire protection services and city services such as trash.  We are currently in a Fire District, if annexed we would be tied to the city's Fire Department.  As a result, the city must compensate the Fire District by paying those taxes for each home every year.  Total costs typically amount to between $500-$600 per year, per home, which makes it a losing proposition for a city.

A lawsuit currently before the Supreme Court (not sure MO or Fed) has Valley Park challenging the Fire District compensation policies relating to an attempt to annex Peerless Park.  If the ruling goes in their favor, it will change everything and open up the possibility for easier annexation.  Time will tell.

At the conclusion of our call with Lori, she suggested we contact Doug Harms, the Des Peres City Manager, to learn more about their plans.  Doug was quick to return our phone call, and pleasantly candid about our chances.  

Doug began by telling us that annexing our neighborhood is in their city plan. But don't get too excited, all that means is that they reserve the right to do so.  They are not required to annex us, nor are they likely to annex us.  The reason, as Lori suggested, was purely economical.  The city would lose money on us and that makes no sense.

He went on to disclose that Des Peres has no plans to ever annex any territory west of Barrett Station Road.  He suggested that Manchester is a far more likely candidate to want to add us, and that we are in their city plan as well.  He reiterated that the likelihood is slim with Manchester, too, but something worth considering if we feel strongly about joining a city's ranks.

As an aside, he mentioned that a previous mayor was furiously trying to annex all  surrounding areas in the hopes to achieve a population of 10,000 residents - the requisite number for him to join a "Mayors of Big Cities" organization.  They are about 1,000 residents short, and no longer interested in such a distinction.  As a small city with a booming mall and Edward Jones, their finances are in great shape and there is no reason to disturb that trend.

The benefits of Des Peres annexation to our neighborhood would include a true city affiliation, the Fire Department, city services such as trash (a "hot button" for some of us!), and a discounted membership at the Lodge.

If you'd like to learn more feel free to contact Lori or Doug using the information below:

Lori J. Fiegel
Comprehensive Planning Manager
St. Louis County Planning Department
41 South Central Ave., 5th Floor
Clayton, MO 63105
Phone:  (314) 615-5413
Fax:  (314) 615-3729
Email:  LFiegel@stlouisco.com