It’s another week for more of the same old politics as usual for the St. Louis County Council. What I’ve been hearing over the past week or so is how County employees on one hand are wondering where their pay raises and “sweetheart deals” are because they’re trying to support a family, while Mark Harder and the Council stop Council business in order to rush funds to meet an 11 pm deadline for the County Police Department to apply for a grant. Constantly running up against critical deadlines due to inaction and dysfunction while ignoring the critical needs of St. Louis County residents (and County employees) is not how to run an effective body that serves the people. It’s no wonder people have lost trust in our County government. We most definitely deserve better.
I’m honored to announce that the Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 has once again endorsed our campaign, and we’re hoping to announce more endorsements in the near future.
Also, last week the St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee elected new officers for 2026-2028. Our new Chair is terming-out State Representative Ladonna Appelbaum, Nelson Mitten returns as Vice Chair, our new Treasurer is Missouri River Township Committeeman, and Town and County Alderman Al Gerber, our new Secretary is Lafayette Township Committeewoman Jae Judy, and our new Sergeant at Arms is Spanish Lake Committeeman Orlando Smith. We wish them success in the 2026 Election cycle and beyond.
I was once again elected to be Committeeman for the 88th Legislative District, and this weekend we’ll be holding elections for the 26th Senate District Committee- which includes Eureka and the Counties of Franklin, Warren, Gasconade, and Osage.
We’re fortunate that several of our Democratic candidates for Missouri State House are target districts for the Missouri Democratic Party and the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee including Claire Heinrich in the 110th House District (Wildwood and Clarkson Valley) and Mary Ann Perkins in House District 100 (Ballwin). Our other House candidates have been out there working hard including Jennifer Trickey in our own 88th House District, Paul Lentz in the 101st House District (Chesterfield), and incumbent Representative Jaclyn Zimmermann in the 98th District (Ballwin, Manchester, Valley Park, Fenton) as well as Vicky Wors running in the 26th Senate District (Eureka, Franklin, Warren, Gasconade, Osage Counties).
We’ll be rescheduling our canvassing kickoff for next Saturday as the 26th Senate Committee has decided to meet this Saturday morning and I need to be in attendance. Also, we’ve been having challenges getting access to data for the voters in the 7th District but this issue has now been resolved. I’ll be out hitting doors, talking to voters, and distributing signs daily, so if you want to join me just let me know!
We’ve scheduled Saturday canvasses for every Saturday morning until the November Election (starting September 12), so if you’re interested in joining us please go to KIEHNEFORMISSOURI.COM/VOLUNTEER and sign up!
I’ve been using the voter list for canvassing and voter outreach but now we’ll be able to run community canvasses to engage with District 7 voters and identify hosts for yard signs using VAN. If you live in the 7th County Council District and are interested in hosting a John Kiehne for St. Louis County Council sign just let us know! You can contact us at info@kiehneformissouri.com or 636-324-3570.
I believe that in November we’ll have an opportunity to usher in a new, better chapter for St. Louis County with new leadership and representation that has an eye on the future, awareness of the past, and a renewed vision for what St. Louis County could be if we prioritized immediate, well-considered action that improves lives by making the St. Louis County Government operate more effectively, efficiently, and within a budget.
You can support our grassroots, people-powered campaign by giving today at KIEHNE2026.COM.
You can sign up to join #KiehneAction as a volunteer at KIEHNEFORMISSOURI.COM/VOLUNTEER.
St. Louis County Executive signed the following bills into ordinance:
Bill No. 134, 2026 became Ordinance No. 29,634
Bill No. 135, 2026 became Ordinance No. 29,635
Bill No. 137, 2026 became Ordinance No. 29,636
Substitute Bill No. 1 for Bill No. 44, 2026 became Ordinance No. 29,637
Bill No. 139, 2026 became Ordinance No. 29,641
Bill No. 140, 2026 became Ordinance No. 29,642
The following bills were returned without Executive signature or comment and became ordinances:
Substitute Bill No. 1 for Bill No. 119, 2026 became Ordinance No. 29,638
Substitute Bill No. 1 for Bill No. 120, 2026 became Ordinance No. 29,639
Bill No. 142, 2026 became Ordinance No. 29,640
County Council members overrode County Executive Sam Page’s veto of Bill Number 133- which eliminates the requirement to renew the senior tax freeze for St. Louis County seniors. Dr. Page had concerns regarding ensuring that applicants’ residency status remained the same, but Council members (except Councilwoman Lisa Clancy) were unconcerned in that regard and voted to approve this ordinance.
St. Louis County residents are invited to submit their opinions regarding data center projects in St. Louis County the Department of Planning and Zoning at datacentercomments@stlouiscountymo.gov. (Allenton, Crescent, and the Castlewood areas are all unincorporated and subject to the decisions of St. Louis County Planning and Zoning.) The deadline for submissions is August 31, 2026.
St. Louis County residents are invited to submit their thoughts regarding a merger proposal and the future of St. Louis County and the St. Louis region at: https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-government/county-executive/what-does-a-stronger-st-louis-look-like/.
The St. Louis County Council Perfected the following bills:
BILL NO. 149, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DAYS, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ACCEPT A GRANT OF UP TO $10,000 FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI, OFFICE OF STATE COURTS ADMINISTRATOR; APPROPRIATING THE SAME FOR SUPPORT OF THE FAMILY COURT OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS OF THE FAMILY COURT TO EXECUTE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.
08.18.26~OC-3
Bill No. 149, 2026
BILL NO. 150, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DAYS, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ACCEPT A GRANT OF UP TO $196,479.40 FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI, STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, SUBJECT TO A LOCAL MATCH; APPROPRIATING THE SAME FOR SUPPORT OF THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO EXECUTE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.
08.18.26~OC-4
Bill No. 150, 2026
BILL NO. 151, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DAYS, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ACCEPT THREE GRANTS IN A COMBINED AMOUNT OF UP TO $323,000 FROM THE EAST-WEST GATEWAY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS; APPROPRIATING THE SAME FOR SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF POLICE; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO EXECUTE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.
08.18.26~OC-5
Bill No. 151, 2026
BILL NO. 152, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DAYS, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ACCEPT FOUR GRANTS IN A COMBINED AMOUNT OF UP TO $798,933 FROM THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY; APPROPRIATING THE SAME FOR SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF POLICE; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO EXECUTE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.
08.18.26~OC-6
Bill No. 152, 2026
BILL NO. 153, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HANCOCK, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE DECLARING THE PUBLIC NECESSITY OF AND PROVIDING FOR THE OPENING, WIDENING AND ESTABLISHING OF A SECTION OF PUBLIC ROAD DESIGNATED AS BARRETT STATION ROAD, LYING WHOLLY WITHIN ST. LOUIS COUNTY; DIRECTING THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY THEREFOR; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS (AR-1896).
08.18.26~OC-9
Bill No. 153, 2026
BILL 163 WAS PERFECTED IN ORDER TO MEET AN 11PM APPLICATION DEADLINE. Authorizing the submission and execution of a grant application for the Model Cities Initiative (“MCI”) Grant, made available through the United States Department of Justice, as indicated and detailed therein, and stating the MCI grant funding supports the County’s efforts to reduce violent crime and improve public safety…
08.25.26~OC-20
The St. Louis County Council approved the following measures for Final Passage:
BILL NO. 143, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DAYS, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 29,154, AS AMENDED, BY REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING SECTIONS 1, 2, 3 AND 4, PERTAINING TO GRANTS FROM THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY.
08.11.26~OC-7
Bill No. 143, 2026
BILL NO. 144, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DAYS, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 29,425 BY REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING SECTIONS 1 AND 2 PERTAINING TO A VIOLENT DEATH AND OVERDOSE DEATH SURVEILLANCE GRANT FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES.
08.11.26~OC-10
Bill No. 144, 2026
BILL NO. 145, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ARCHER, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 29,611 BY REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING SECTION 2 PERTAINING TO A CONTRACT WITH TRAILNET, INC. FOR COUNTY PROJECT NO. AR-1289.
08.11.26~OC-22
Bill No. 145, 2026
BILL NO. 146, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DAYS, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ACCEPT A GRANT OF UP TO $5,000 FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES; APPROPRIATING THE SAME FOR SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH’S PARTICIPATION IN THE SAFE CRIBS FOR MISSOURI GRANT PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO ACCEPT AND DISTRIBUTE CRIBS PURSUANT TO SAID GRANT PROGRAM; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO EXECUTE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.
08.11.26~OC-9
Bill No. 146, 2026
BILL NO. 147, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DAYS, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ACCEPT A GRANT OF UP TO $22,000 FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI, OFFICE OF STATE COURTS ADMINISTRATOR; APPROPRIATING THE SAME FOR SUPPORT OF THE FAMILY COURT OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS OF THE FAMILY COURT TO EXECUTE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.
08.11.26~OC-3
Bill No. 147, 2026
BILL NO. 148, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEBB, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE APROPRIATING THE SUM OF $273,300 FROM THE UNAPPRORIATED BALANCE OF THE GENERAL REVENUE FUND FOR THE COUNTY COUNCIL TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. FOR BUDGETING SOFTWARE AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO EXECUTE NECESSARY AGREEMENTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS.
07.28.26~AddOn-2
Bill No. 148, 2026
BILL 163 WAS FINALLY PASSED IN ORDER TO MEET AN 11PM APPLICATION DEADLINE. Authorizing the submission and execution of a grant application for the Model Cities Initiative (“MCI”) Grant, made available through the United States Department of Justice, as indicated and detailed therein, and stating the MCI grant funding supports the County’s efforts to reduce violent crime and improve public safety…
08.25.26~OC-20
Resolutions:
Recognizing Legacy Jackson as Miss USA Black Talented Teen
08.25.26~OC-5
The St. Louis County Council voted to override the Executive’s veto of Substitute Bill No. 1 for Bill No. 54:
Communication dated April 29, 2025, from The Honorable Sam Page, County Executive, RE: St. Louis County Council Substitute Bill No. 1 for Bill No. 54, 2025, passed by the County Council on April 15, 2025, returning Substitute Bill No. 1 for Bill No. 54, 2025 unsigned and stating his objections thereto, pursuant to Section 2.110 of the County Charter, thereby vetoing Substitute Bill No. 1 for Bill No. 54, 2025
05.06.25~OC-36
Bill No. 54, 2025
https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-government/county-council/. The St. Louis County Council typically meets on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm at the St. Louis County Government Center, Lawrence K. Roos Building, 41 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105.
A list of public meetings can be found at https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-public-notices/.
St. Louis County government meeting agendas and minutes can be found at https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-public-notices/meeting-minutes/.
Saturday, September 12, 2026- KiehneAction Weekend Canvass Kickoff
*** RESCHEDULED SO THAT JOHN CAN ATTEND SD26 REORG MEETING ***
Join #KiehneAction as we kick off our campaign blitz as we approach the November 5 General Election. We will meet at the St. Louis Bread Company in Wildwood, Mo. at 9:30 am for a brief training and for a brief rally around the messaging and purpose for this campaign. The St. Louis Bread Co. is at 2400 Taylor Rd, 63040.
Are you interested in hosting a meet and greet to introduce your family, friends, and neighbors to our campaign to defeat Mark Harder in November? If so, please contact the campaign at info@kiehneformissouri.com. You can also call or text us at 636-324-3570.