The County Connection Winter 2014 Jeopardy

The County Connection
Winter 2014
Service with Purpose
A newsletter written by and for employees of
Saint Louis County Government
Charlie A. Dooley
County Executive
Jeopardy Contestant
Mike Nickel (DHS)
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a contestant on a
nationally syndicated game show? Mike Nickel (DHS),
Community Services Coordinator for the Department of
Human Services, can give you a first-hand account, as last
year, he got that opportunity. Not only did Mike appear
on ‘Jeopardy’, the Emmy award winning game show
hosted by Alex Trebek, he won a whopping one-day total
of more than $29,000! In his own words, Mike tells you
about his experience:
I’ve always wanted to be a
contestant on Jeopardy. In
order to be considered, I first
had to take an online test
where I answered a total of 40
questions – one question every
15 seconds. Even though I
knew the test was scored, I
was never allowed to see what
that score was. I had
previously taken this test with
no success, but I must have hit
the jackpot the last time I took
it, because I received an e-mail
audition for the show!
Angeles (we had to pay for our travel and hotel costs). As
the show records five episodes per day, I was advised to
bring a couple of changes of clothing just in case I won and
had to tape a second show.
Being in the studio and on the show was a surreal
experience. Everyone associated with the show was really
nice, but prior to taping, I had to complete what seemed
to be an endless amount of paperwork. The “Game Show
Police” were also present to
make sure that all
procedures were on the up
and up. I also had to do a
brief promotional segment
in front of the camera,
where I had to say, “Hi! I’m
Mike from Missouri and
this is ‘Jeopardy’!” After
that, I had to go through a
practice round prior to the
actual taping of the show,
and it was only during the
actual taping where I got to
Alex Trebek and Mike Nickel (DHS)
with an invitation to
meet the show’s host, Alex Trebek.
The first Jeopardy round was nervewracking, and by the
To audition, I had to travel to Chicago, Illinois, and soon
end of the round, I found myself in last place. Part of the
found myself in a room with 30-35 other people. We all
problem was that even though I may have known the
then had to take another question-and-answer-type test, answer to a particular question, getting the timing down
and this time, we had to answer 50 questions – one
when pressing the buzzer was the key to being called
question every eight seconds. After our tests were
upon. Things turned out a lot better after the second
graded, the producers met with the most successful
round, and I soon found myself calculating my wager for
applicants, who informed us that we were now on an on- the final Jeopardy round. The subject for Final Jeopardy
call list.
was Authors, and the question was “This author has an
airport in Jamaica and many films were made there.” My
In June 2013, I was contacted and asked if I was interested answer was, “Who was Ian Fleming?”, and next thing I
in being a contestant. Of course, I said “Yes!”, and in
knew, I had won just over $29,000!
September of last year, my wife and I traveled to Los
See next page
Winning meant that I had to participate in a second
game, which I did after changing my clothing. I lost the
second game however, in the Final Jeopardy round. The question this time
was, “This government program has protected thousands of people, but we
can’t tell you who they are.” The correct answer was, “What is the Witness
Protection Program?” I, however, wrote “What is the Witness Relocation
Program?” and the judges ruled against me.
County Connection
From last page
November 4, 2014
General Election
Voter turnout for the November 4,
2014 General Election was 44%; an
increase of 15% from the August 5,
2014 Primary Election. The
Election Board certified the official
election results with the Missouri
Secretary of State office November
18, 2014 and posted these results
to the Election Board’s website at
http://www.stlouisco.com/
YourGovernment/Elections.
April 7, 2015 General Municipal
Election Candidate Filing Info
December 16, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. is
the opening day of candidate filing
for the April 7, 2015 General
Municipal Election with the
exception of Charter Cities. The
closing date for such filings is
January 20, 2015 at 5:00
p.m. Candidates must file with and
meet all qualifications required by
their respective Municipalities,
School Boards and Fire Districts.
Registration Deadline for April 7,
2015 General Municipal Election
The last day to register to vote in
the April 7, 2015 General
Municipal Election is March 11,
2015 by 5:00 p.m. Individuals who
do not register to vote by the
deadline date are ineligible to vote
in this election.
Page 2
Update Information
Please remember the importance
of updating your information if you
have moved or changed your
name. Doing so not only assists the
Election Board with maintaining up
-to-date voter records but ensures
a positive voting day experience
for each voter during every
election.
Please visit the Board of Election’s
website at www.stlouisco.com/
YourGovernment/Elections for
more information on updating
your records.
And with that, my wife and I came back to St. Louis.
Since I’ve been home, I’ve been asked many times about Alex Trebek and
what he was like. I found him to be a very nice person who took time to
answer questions from the audience. I’ve also been asked how I spent my
winnings, but I have to say that my wife and I haven’t splurged on anything –
yet. I’m sure, though, that we will decide what to do soon.
Appearing on Jeopardy was a great experience. I’ve watched the show for
years, and one of my goals was to appear on the show and win a game.
Mission accomplished!
Stop the Violence Trivia Night
Department of Human Services
On October 25th, Common Sense Causes along with Katie Simmons (Police),
an officer of the St. Louis County Police Department, held a Stop the Violence
Trivia Night on behalf of the Friends of Weinman and the Kathy J. Weinman
Shelter. The event gathered friends, neighbors, and colleagues interested in
and concerned about domestic violence and the women and children who
reside in the Weinman Shelter.
The event attracted
approximately 230
people, including the
Director of Human
Services, Andrea
Jackson-Jennings
(DHS), and the
Director of
Residential Services,
Leonard McDonald
(DHS), as well as Deny Scott, President of the Friends of Weinman, and a
number of other Board members. It also attracted seven sponsors and raised
approximately $7,000 for the Shelter through the Friends of Weinman
Board. The money will be used at the shelter level to help with items such as
transportation, prescription medication needs, women’s and children’s
support group items, and medical supplies.
Daniel Anson (H&T) - 24 yrs
Vickie Barela (Admin) - 19 yrs
James Barnes (DOH) - 21+ yrs
Sharon Bonner (Fam Ct) - 31+ yrs
Sammie Bush, Jr. (Police) - 16 yrs
Mary Carolan (BOE) - 10+ yrs
Gilbert DeNormandie (P&R) - 15+ yrs
Mario Dollschnieder (DHS) - 12+ yrs
Thomas Ellsworth (H&T) - 13+ yrs
Rose Everson (PW) - 13+ yrs
Robert Fowler (BOE) - 35 yrs
Bozo Gilic (H&T) - 12+ yrs
Glenda Gill (Jud Admin) - 7+ yrs
Carl Gravier (Admin) - 3+ yrs
Jeffrey Hahler (JS) - 28+ yrs
Douglas Hammond (H&T) - 19+ yrs
Florette Hampton (Admin) - 20+ yrs
Robert Harper (H&T) - 28+ yrs
Marco Laney (Fam Ct) - 25+ yrs
James McBride (Police) - 28+ yrs
Linda McCrady (Police) - 41+ yrs
Karen Mueller (Police) - 30+ yrs
Michael O’Fallon (H&T) - 20 yrs
Ronald Oldani (Jud Admin) - 5+ yrs
Danny Page (Police) - 35+ yrs
Brenda Phillips (Fam Ct) - 18+ yrs
Vicki Puchbauer (H&T) - 35+ yrs
Sandra Richardson (DOH) - 17+ yrs
Michael Schneider (Admin) - 33+ yrs
Peter Schwent (H&T) - 30+ yrs
Stephen Shaw (Fam Ct) - 30+ yrs
Michael Smiley (Police) - 29+ yrs
Dale Smith (Rev) - 6 yrs
Eddie Southards (P&R) - 40+ yrs
Mary Ann Sunderland (Cty Cnslr) - 44+
yrs
Patrick Tan (DOH) - 23+ yrs
The DeGregorio Challenge
Young Government Leaders
On Wednesday, October 15th 2014, Paul DeGregorio spoke at the Young
Government Leaders (YGL) Tri-Annual meeting. Once the St. Louis County
Director of Elections, DeGregorio grew to become chairman of the Federal
Election Assistance Commission, and one of only six Americans to advise the
first elections in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union.
DeGregorio took YGL on his journey to his present-day national renown. He
described his entry-level self as “young, ambitious, and wanting to make a
change” with unshaken integrity.
DeGregorio started handing out political fliers on the Hill to assist with
campaigns and eventually became the St. Louis County Director of Elections.
One of DeGregorio’s proudest accomplishments was instituting a merit-based
system for hiring and promoting at the Election Board.
He was committed to building solid bipartisan relationships with his fellow St.
Louis County employees and with the greater external elections network. His
reputation as a poised expert on elections circulated the country. Paul
moved on to head several election observation missions throughout the
world and currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Association of World
Election Bodies.
Similarly, we St. Louis County employees have several
opportunities to develop our skills and networks. The
See next page
Residents can give St. Louis
County’s snow plow drivers an
early Christmas present by
parking off the street (if
practical/possible) when a
winter storm is headed to the
region. Demanding in the best
of times, plowing is made
particularly difficult when
vehicles are parked on narrow
streets and cul-de-sacs. “We
know that off-street parking
isn’t an option for all residents,
but if it is, we respectfully ask
that you take advantage of it,”
explained David Wrone (H&T),
public information manager for
the Departments of Highways
and Traffic and Public Works.
“Our plows are basically huge,
inflexible iron boxes on wheels,
and the presence of personal
vehicles along the curb of a
narrow street, or on a cul-desac, greatly complicates our
ability to effectively plow. If you
can get your car in a driveway,
we’d appreciate it.” Wrone also
reminds drivers to keep as
much distance as possible
between their vehicles and any
snow plow drivers in front of
them. “In a winter storm,
visibility is never optimal,”
Wrone noted. “Plow drivers’
vision is hindered both by the
falling snow and the vehicle
they’re driving. Please be aware
that if you get too close, it’s
physically impossible for the
plow driver to see you. And that
can obviously lead to
accidents.”
Page 3
DeGregorio attributed every step of his career growth to the skills he
developed and the people he encountered and impressed.
Ready for Snow?
County Connection
Retirements
County Connection
From last page
Grandparent Fishing Fun Day
On September 13th, the County
Older Resident Programs (CORP),
a division of the Department of
Human Services, hosted a
Grandparents Fishing Fun Day at
the Spanish Lake Park, James
O’Mara Shelter. The event was an
opportunity for seniors 60 years
and older plus youth to come
together for an intergenerational
event. Older adults and their
grandkids participated in
educational activities, crafts,
games, hotdog barbeque and of
course fishing.
The Department of Conservation
provided fishing poles and
educational materials for the
event. Michael Brand, a Certified
Angling Instructor taught kids how
to cast for fish, and Boy Scouts of
America Greater St. Louis Area
Council had a booth and provided
youth volunteers for the day.
Donated prizes were awarded to
participants for Biggest Fish
Caught, Smallest Fish Caught and
Most Unique Item Caught.
Page 4
Almost 70 people enjoyed the
Fishing Fun Day. The weather
was picture perfect. Children
learned how to fish and
grandparents had an active,
positive day with their
grandchildren. Participants noted
how much fun the day was and
how they look forward to future
events.
CORP is a program designed to
make a difference through a wide
range of services that allow older
adults to live on their own,
provided by caring volunteers in
the community. Call 314-6154516 for more information about
participating in CORP as a
volunteer or customer.
county’s new Career Development Program (CDP) is a
unique opportunity for St. Louis County employees to learn how to take their
St. Louis County careers to the next level. This opportunity is available to all
St. Louis County employees.
St. Louis County is home to many opportunities for employees to meet
DeGregorio’s challenge: “Always do the right thing. Recognize good people.
Challenge the status quo. Constantly ask: ‘How can we do better?’”
Are you up for the challenge? To learn more about St. Louis County’s Career
Development Program, please check out the Intranet or call Julie Cushman
(0147); to learn more about Young Government Leaders of St. Louis County,
call Nik Degler (7059) or Alison Engelhardt (1629).
Materials Lab Appreciation Award
Carl Pearson, Rich Holesinger, Mike Katich and Andrew Williams
Each June, the Materials Lab presents an Appreciation Award to an
individual / group whose excellent performance or meritorious actions aided
the Materials Lab in their mission the previous year. Two criteria had to be
met:
First, the endeavor or support had to have a direct effect on the
operations of the Lab.
Second, the individual had to work for Saint Louis County, but
outside the Materials Lab.
This is the 17th year for this award. Each recipient receives a certificate of
appreciation and a gift card to a local restaurant. This year’s award was given
to Andrew Williams, Carl Pearson and Mike Katich, Highways and Traffic
Survey Section. The Materials Lab has two internally-funded programs: the
Flower Fund (generated by the sale of soda, chips, cookies and coffee) and
our Christmas Family Fund (generated by the sale of candy bars). The Flower
Fund is used to assist when money is needed for variety things: flowers for
the sick Division personnel or for funerals; for parties ; take guest(s) out to
lunch (AMRL & CCRL inspectors, MoDOT instructors); the Lab's Holiday Party;
and the Lab's Annual Appreciation Award. The Holiday Family Fund is used
only for our adopted Holiday Family. The Survey section personnel have
provided us exceptional service during the peak period of construction
materials testing and inspection this summer. Andy, Carl and Mike really
demonstrated concern about the County and the Lab’s mission of safely
delivering customer service: better, faster and cheaper. This is just our small
way of saying thanks.
Since 1986 Saint Louis County Parks has been providing an extraordinary
experience to the residents of St. Louis County and the surrounding area
through the Winter Wonderland light display at Tilles Park. This spectacular
display that includes over one million sparkling lights has become a St. Louis
tradition.
As families, friends and couples drive through the display, it may seem like all
of the lights and beautiful displays magically appeared overnight, but reality
is quite different. Winter Wonderland is a year-long planning process that
takes dozens of park employees from various parks to build the display and
keep it running from the end of November through January 1.
What started out as mini-lights stapled to plywood cutouts has evolved into
an unforgettable display of more than one million lights that is constantly
being updated with modern technology and to be more energy efficient.
Guests have always been able to enjoy music during their drive through
Wonderland, but in 2010 the department purchased a program that could
sync the music with the tree display. Each year additional displays will be
added to the synchronization.
Winter Wonderland is not only a fun way to spend an evening but also a
great way to help local charities. Each evening of the event, representatives
from a different local charity have the opportunity to man the gates and
receive a $500 donation from St. Louis County Parks.
The annual Winter Wonderland Walk event will take place on November 2123. Tickets are available through our website and are $5 each. The Winter
Wonderland display opens on November 26 and will run through January 1.
The display is open to vehicular traffic Sunday through Friday from 5:30-9:30
p.m. Saturday is reserved for horse-drawn carriage rides only and those
reservations must be made in advance. Carriage rides are also available
through the week. Tickets are available online at www.metrotix.com or by
telephone at (314) 534-1111. For more information, visit our website at
www.stlouisco.com/parks.
St. Louis County Parks is offering the opportunity again to recycle old
Christmas lights. Just drop them off when you visit Winter Wonderland or
barrels will also be available from January 2-January 19 near the playground
restrooms.
In Memorium
Michael Redman (Police) - Sep 27
Earl Ray (H&T) - Oct 2
Sammie Bush, Jr. (Police) - Oct 2
Bonnie Fowler (Rev) - Oct 3
Donald Black (JS) - Oct 4
Mary Engler (Police) - Oct 27
Melvin Wright (JS) - Oct 28
On September 10th the
Department of Highways and
Traffic’s Construction Division
materials testing laboratory
received a successful
accreditation inspection as part
of the AASHTO Accreditation
Program (AAP). One of the key
elements of accreditation is the
requirement that programs
continuously improve the
quality of materials testing
provided. As part of this
continuous improvement
requirement, programs set
specific, measurable proficiency
testing, technician certification
and record keeping goals,
assess their success at reaching
those goals, and improve their
programs based on the results
of their assessment.
The Materials Testing Section
lab has been successfully
inspected by the Cement and
Concrete Reference Laboratory
(CCRL) inspection staff routinely
since March 15, 1995. Vince
Ogar (H&T), Lab and Quality
Assurance Manager and the Lab
staff have always prided
themselves on the highest level
of material quality available and
consistencies of testing results
obtained over the years. With
over 27 years of experience
himself, Richard Holesinger
(H&T), P.E. oversees a staff of
professionals with an average
of more than 17 years of
construction materials testing
in the Maryland Heights facility.
Page 5
Janet Nibberich (Police) - Aug 14
David Kelley (Admin) - Aug 16
Richard Koester (P&R) - Aug 23
Patrick Joel (DOH) - Aug 26
Mill Luedde (H&T) - Aug 29
Beatrice Lowry (DOH) - Sep 5
Kenneth Hensiek (DHS) - Sep 12
Materials Lab
Accreditation
County Connection
Don’t Miss Winter Wonderland 2014
County Connection
Parks Events
The weather is turning cooler
and the trees are almost bare,
but we still have an exciting
season ahead in St. Louis
County Parks! For more
information on any of our
programs, check out our Fall/
Winter Activity Guide at
www.stlouisco.com/parks or
pick one up at your local park or
recreation complex. Follow us
on Twitter, Facebook and
Instagram!
We have events for
kids of all ages this
winter! Whether it’s family-fun
at Winter Wonderland or a hike
through one of our magnificent
parks, or a romantic night out
at the Thornhill Candlelight
Tours, we have something for
everyone!
We have lots of fun ways to get
your kids in the holiday spirit
this season like the Holiday
Santa Walk at Jefferson
Barracks or watching the big
guy ride in on a firetruck at the
Affton Community Center.
Page 6
Families can stay fit through
classes and leagues such as Line
Dancing, Volleyball, Yoga,
Martial Arts or Zumba! The
Footnotes Dance Company will
be offering a variety of Dance
classes for little ones at the
Affton Community Center.
See next page
Welcome
Robert Laventure (CSF) - Accountant III
Nancy Meder (CSF) - Accountant III
Amanda Brooks (Rev) - Accounting
Services Representative
Alexandra Willis (DHS) - Adolescent Care
Specialist Lead
Rojai Norris (DOH) - Animal Control
Officer
Delisa Hughes (DOH) - Animal Control
Officer
Sara Fuelling (Cty Cnslr) - Attorney I
Curtis Schroeder (Jud Admin) - Business
Systems Analyst
Elyse Murrell (DHS) - Community Services
Coordinator
Antoine Cobbs (DHS) - Cook
Steven Scott (JS) - Corrections Officer
Mark Hayden (JS) - Corrections Officer
Yondell Bass (JS) - Corrections Officer
James Osborne (JS) - Corrections Officer
Evin Harry (JS) - Corrections Officer
Matthew Tilley (JS) - Corrections Officer
Tiffany Williams (JS) - Corrections Officer
Joshua Showmaker (JS) - Corrections
Officer
Jeremery Flowers (JS) - Corrections
Officer
Mary Davis (Jud Admin) - Drug/DWI Court
Administrator
Carrie Schulte (DOH) - Environmental
Representative
Brigette Davis (DOH) - Epidemiology
Specialist
Lara Dalidowitz (DOH) - Epidemiology
Specialist
Susan Eby (Police) - Evidence Technician
Police
Kelly Lovelace (DOH) - Forensic
Investigator
Miriyah Douglas (DOH) - Kennel Specialist
Schatoun Gilyard (DOH) - Laboratory
Technician
Rodney Sharp (PW) - Laborer
Quinton Osborne (Jud Admin) - Law Clerk
Christine Archer (Jud Admin) - Law Clerk
Debra Allen (DOH) - Licensed Practical
Nurse
Esha Williams (DOH) - Medical Assistant
Cierra Brown (Muni Ct) - Municipal Court
Clerk
Jessica Kesselring (Muni Ct) - Municipal
Court Clerk
Michael Hite (PW) - Neighborhood
Preservation Inspector
Kimberly Gray (DOH) - Nurse Practitioner
Princess Brown (Jud Admin) - Office
Services Assistant
Joyce Bowden (Rev) - Office Services
Representative
Michelle Keller (Fam Ct) - Office Services
Representative
May Giddens (PW) - Office Services
Specialist
Kevin Conley (Police) - Police Officer
Alex Stillwell (Police) - Police Officer
Lacey Mc Lean (Police) - Police Officer
Bradley O'Donnell (Police) - Police Officer
Brittany Hughes (Police) - Police Records
Clerk
John Yannuzzi (Police) - Police Recruit
Deneen Hunter (Police) - Police Report
Clerk
Mary Stroup (Police) - Police Report Clerk
Alexander Clippinger (Police) - Police
Report Clerk
Murisa Begic-Gusic (Fam Ct) Psychologist
David Huelsing (Police) - Public Safety
Dispatcher I
Alexis Shelvy (Police) - Public Safety
Dispatcher I
Brooke Moore (Police) - Public Safety
Dispatcher I
Katrina Jeffries (Police) - Public Safety
Dispatcher I
Molly Taylor (Police) - Public Safety
Dispatcher I
Samantha Snarzyk (Police) - Public Safety
Dispatcher I
Renee St. Vrain (DOH) - Registered Nurse
Eileen Webber (DOH) - Registered Nurse
Tim Beaver (PW) - Residential Building
Inspector
Andrew Smith (DHS) - Resource Center
Support Worker
Robin Giden (DHS) - Resource Center
Support Worker
Leticia Lara Ramirez (PW) - Secretary
Vera Culley (Police) - Social Media
Coordinator
Michael Davis (BOE) - Special Elections
Clerk
Debra Aylsworth (H&T) - Supervisor,
Project Managers
It’s that time of the year again: Leaves are falling, a hint of chill is in the air and pretty soon property tax bills will start to arrive in mailboxes around St.
Louis County.
The Collector of Revenue’s office usually starts the printing and mailing
process of real, and then personal property tax bills in early to midNovember. After the bills are in the mail, the ball is in the taxpayer’s court:
per Missouri state law, taxes must be paid or postmarked by December 31.
Taxes that are not paid or postmarked by that date become delinquent on
January 1, and will start to accumulate monthly interest and penalty charges.
Interest charges of 2% per month, up to 18% per year, plus an additional 2%
penalty charge can add up quickly, so be sure to pay on time and save
yourself some money.
Self-addressed courtesy reply envelopes are included for mailing payments.
Real property and personal property tax payments can be included on one
check and mailed in either of the envelopes.
Payments can also be made at any of the Revenue offices below or online at
https://revenue.stlouisco.com/Collection/PayTaxes. It is important to
remember that the West County satellite office is the only office that does
not accept cash. All offices accept checks and money orders, but if you want
to pay with cash, you will need to visit Clayton, North or South County.
If paying online, please be aware that credit and debit card
payments are processed through a third party provider and
subject to a convenience fee. Payments via direct debit
from a checking or savings account do not encounter any
additional fees.
Remin
de
r
Mail &
Online
Paym
ents a
re
quick
and ea
sy!
In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, county offices will be closed on
Thursday, November 27, and on Friday, November 28, 2014. This makes
Wednesday, November 26 the final business day of the month. On December
24 and December 31, the Clayton location will close at 5pm. The satellite
offices will close at their regular time: 4:30pm.
North County
West County
South County
41 S. Central Ave.
Street Level
Clayton, MO 63105
21 Village Square
Shopping Center
Hazelwood, MO
63042
74 Clarkson
Wilson Center
Chesterfield, MO
63017
4546 Lemay Ferry Rd.
Keller Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63129
314/615-5500
314/615-7400
314/615-0900
314/615-4000
M,W,F: 7a – 5:30p
T, Th 7a – 6p
M – F:
8a – 4:30p
M – F:
8a – 4:30p
M – F:
8a – 4:30p
Check, cash,
money order
Check, cash,
money order
Check & money
order ONLY
Check, cash,
money order
Hearing Impaired: RelayMO 711 or 800/735-2966
See the more pages for more Tax Info.
Kids can get creative, have fun
and learn outside the classroom
this winter! Creation Station at
the Museum of Transportation
and bird house building with
our Rangers are great ways to
keep your kids happy and
active. Our Children’s Garden
Club is a great way to teach
your children about
gardening and
horticulture. This
club meets once a
month on Saturday
mornings. Check our website
for details.
For the anglers out there who
can’t be deterred by the cold,
check out our Trout Fishing and
& Chili Feed event happening at
Suson Park.
Go hiking, biking or exploring
while enjoying some quite time
surrounded by nature on one of
our 144 miles of trails.
Page 7
Clayton
(main office)
What’s winter without Ice
Skating? Our public ice skating
rinks at the Kennedy Recreation
Complex and Greensfelder
Recreation Complex (GRC) are
now open and offer a variety of
open skate times, special
events and Learn-to-Skate
programs. Check our website
for details! Kids 6-10 years old
can also take part in
our Skate Camp
that will be offered
at GRC over the
holiday break.
County Connection
From page 1
Tax Time is (almost) here
Page 8
Promotions
Brandon Burch (H&T) - Maintenance Driver I
Timothy Clark (Police) - Police Officer
Michael Clouse (Police) - Assistant Director, Radio
Services
Mark Coleman (H&T) - Maintenance Driver I
Jacob Cooper (Police) - Police Officer
Joshua Cox (H&T) - Maintenance Driver Lead
Kenneth Cox (Police) - Deputy Chief, Police
Department
Linda Davis (DOH) - Health Information Supervisor
Mark Diedrich (Police) - Director, Emergency
Management
Troy Doyle (Police) - Lieutenant Colonel
Mark Ebel (Police) - Police Officer
Brian Eichhorn (H&T) - Maintenance Supervisor
Katie Fildes (Police) - Police Officer
Sidney Frazier (Admin) - Records Specialist
Tracy Fritz (P&R) - Accountant I
William Gardner (H&T) - Maintenance Driver Lead
Daniel Gassner (Admin) - General Services
Specialist
Henry Griese (Police) - Police Officer
Shanette Hall (Police) - Police Officer
Robert Hayden (Police) - Police Officer
Colin Heyer (H&T) - Maintenance Driver II
George Hogan (H&T) - Maintenance Driver II
Ray Howard (H&T) - Maintenance Driver I
Cody Huseman (Police) - Police Officer
Colin Hussey (Police) - Police Officer
Mickey Jader (Police) - Police Officer
Kevin Johnson (Assess) - Appraisal Manager
Noah Kennon (H&T) - Maintenance Driver Lead
Jeffrey Leuty (Police) - Police Officer
Patrick Marshak (P&R) - Maintenance Driver II
Sharon Mc Bain (Cty Cnslr) - Legal Secretary
Brandon Mc Crary (Police) - Police Officer
Kerah Mc Nichols (JS) - Personnel Specialist
Terence Monroe (Police) - Police Officer
Roni Moore (DOH) - Kennel
Specialist
Edvin Muratovic (H&T) Maintenance Driver I
Nicole Norberg (Police) Police Officer
Toreen Parker (Admin) Senior Procurement Contract Administrator
Kelly Pokorny (Police) - Forensic Scientist II
Andrew Preston (H&T) - Maintenance Driver I
Robert Primas (H&T) - Maintenance Driver Lead
James Quinn (H&T) - Maintenance Driver II
Michael Quinn (Police) - Police Officer
Kylee Reed (JS) - Case Manager
Stephen Robertson (Assess) - Appraisal Manager
Michael Rosin (H&T) - Maintenance Driver I
Mark Sanders (H&T) - Maintenance Driver I
Patricia Sanders (H&T) - Maintenance Driver II
Charles Schaefer (H&T) - Maintenance Driver I
Brian Schellman (Police) - Sergeant
Kathleen Schwartz (Cty Cnslr) - Secretary
Sarah Siegel (Assess) - Litigation and Policy
Manager
Michael Simon (H&T) - Maintenance Driver II
Andrew Soll (Police) - Sergeant
Inessa Spring (Audit) - Audit Manager
Eric Sterr (Police) - Police Officer
Jerome Taylor (JS) - Corrections Officer Lead
Kimberly Thomas (JS) - Case Manager
Kyle Traum (Police) - Police Officer
Hart Vernon (H&T) - Maintenance Driver I
Kaitlyn Waldron (Fam Ct) - Secretary
Ptah Walls (Fam Ct) - Deputy Juvenile Officer III
Monica Wasem (Police) - Police Officer
Tanya Webber (Pros Atty) - Secretary
Breslin Wilson (Police) - Police Officer
John Wilson (Police) - IT Director
The County Connection
Winter 2014
Service with Purpose
A newsletter written by and for employees of
Saint Louis County Government
MORE PAGES
Here is the information that wouldn’t fit in the printed pages. Enjoy!
Tax Time
How does the Collector of Revenue know how much to bill?
It starts with the St. Louis County Assessor who determines the fair market value of real and personal property. The
taxes are calculated on a percentage of that appraised value, the “assessed value”: residential real estate is assessed at
19 percent of the appraised value, commercial at 32 percent, agricultural at 12 percent, and personal property at 33
1/3 percent. In other words, if the Assessor appraises your house at $100,000, then your taxes will be based on an
assessed value of $19,000 (19 percent of the appraised value).
Your local taxing authorities receive the aggregate values in their district, and set their own tax rates based on those
values according to their budgetary needs. If property values have declined, taxing authorities may choose to roll up
their rates to the voter approved ceiling to offset any potential revenue losses. Those who do not roll up their rates
may respond to lower property values by cutting services or reducing their work force.
After the taxing authorities have established their tax rates, those rates are submitted to the Collector of Revenue in
October for calculation of the tax bills. Calculation of the bills is a huge task: St. Louis County has more than 300 taxing
authorities, who generate over 79,000 individual tax rates. The rates are sent to the State Auditor for certification, and
input into St. Louis County’s computer system. After all rates have been certified and input, the calculation process
begins.
The individual rates must be attached to the correct property and compounded into one rate – your tax rate. You can
see a breakdown of who gets how much of your money printed on your tax bill or view it online at http://
revenue.stlouisco.com/ias/ : Search for your property by locator number, owner, address or subdivision and click on
the locator number link to pull up your property. Select the prior year, click on “Tax Amounts Due”, scroll down and
click on “Tax Rate Information”.
Those who escrow their real estate taxes don’t see their actual real estate bill, because the bill is sent straight to the
lender, who pays it in full and on time. The lender then divides the tax amount into twelve equal pieces, adds those
smaller amounts to the monthly mortgage payment, and in that way collects taxes from the property owner over the
course of the next year. If the property value and/or tax rate changes over the course of the following year, then you
Do you have questions about your tax bill or property value?
Save yourself some time and “transfer aggravation” by calling the correct office:
Tax bill: Collector’s office 314/615-5500 (8:00am-5:00pm)
Property value/appeal: Assessor’s office 314/615-4230 (8:30am-4:30pm)
See next page
From last page
may experience an escrow overage or shortage.
Most tax payers in Missouri are very familiar with the personal property tax bill: anyone who owns personal property such as a car or boat - receives a personal property bill from the Collector of Revenue of the County they reside in. The
rules for payment are the same as for real estate taxes: payment must be received or postmarked by December 31 or
else interest and penalty charges will be added to the bill every month it is delinquent. These rules are established via
Missouri state law, and cannot be changed by St. Louis County.
What happens to the money after you pay?
Although you write your check to the “St. Louis County Collector of Revenue”, your St. Louis County government gets
to keep less than six percent of the check amount.
The St. Louis County Collector of Revenue serves as a billing, collecting and distributing agent for more than 300
different taxing authorities, and well over 90 percent of your tax dollars go right back out as the Collector distributes
them to the appropriate taxing authorities.
Most of your tax dollars go to education: your local school district, the special school district, and the Community
College combined make up about 71 percent of your taxes. Other taxing authorities, such as local fire protection
districts, the County library (which, by the way, is not part of your St. Louis County government), etc, get their share of
the check you sent to the Collector of Revenue.
The pie chart shown at the end of this article illustrates what your 2013 tax dollars support (the 2014 distribution chart
will be available in early 2015). Your tax bill also lists each taxing authority you pay taxes to, and exactly how much you
are paying them.
Back to St. Louis County, and the $100,000 house example: if your compounded tax rate is eight percent, and your
taxes on an assessed value of $19,000, you would pay a total of $1,520.00 in real estate taxes.
Out of that total St. Louis County receives 5.61 percent or $85.28. This translates into $7.11 per month.
Continuing with that example, here is what you get for your payment of $7.11 per month:
3,000 lane miles of roads which must be maintained and repaired; 71 parks comprising 12,719 acres of land that offer
77 shelters, 99 athletic fields, 134 picnic sites, 41 playgrounds
and over 145 miles of hiking trails along with 5 recreational
complexes, community centers, 8 cultural sites and museums;
public health programs including 3 major health clinics,
immunization services, communicable disease control, animal
and pest control, environmental protection, waste
management and vital records; an internationally accredited
police department with 826 police officers and 256 civilian
employees, who –through September of this year- have
answered 324,000 calls for service; human service programs
such as the County Older Resident Program, youth programs,
workforce development programs, veteran services, and
homeless services; planning, code enforcement and inspection
programs to ensure compliance with building codes, zoning,
and elimination of problem properties; and economic
development programs that attract new employers and
increase job opportunities in St. Louis County.
That’s a lot of bang for the buck. St. Louis County - a great
place to live, work and play!
2015 Recommended Budget
On October 24th, County Executive Charlie A. Dooley submitted his proposed 2015 budget to the County Council. This
budget totals $544 million and is broken down into five categories as detailed below. The main component of the
budget is the General Funds – a group of four funds used to finance the basic operating costs of county government.
These funds hold all revenues except those required to be accounted for in another fund. This group includes the
General Fund, Special Road and Bridge Fund, Health Fund, and Park Maintenance Fund.
2014
Adjusted
Budget
2015
Recomm.
Budget
$
Change
%
Change
General Funds
$400.6
$398.6
($2.1)
-0.5%
Special Revenue Funds
Fund Group
187.7
66.6
(121.1)
-64.5%
Debt Service Fund
7.7
7.7
0.0
0.1%
Enterprise Fund
35.5
29.9
(5.6)
-15.7%
All Other Funds
141.0
40.8
-71.1%
TOTAL
$772.6
$543.6
(100.3)
($229.
0)
-29.6%
The recommended budget is focused on funding necessary to maintain
the County’s current programs and services. These services will be
more expensive in 2015 than they are this year. At the same time,
there are some requirements for technology investments to continue
initiatives that are underway. Some significant changes in the budget
include:
 $7 million for employee pay increases to maintain a high quality workforce;
 $533,100 to allow for electronic civil plan submission and review; continues enhancement of the Accela system
and partnership with MSD – this initiative will be self-funding, with an estimated $500,000 per year in added
revenue, and will substantially improve efficiency for permit applicants;
 $450,000 to equip police officers with body cameras, and $365,500 for other equipment needs such as mobile
data terminals and mobile printers to improve police officer efficiency;
 $1.6 million for police overtime costs which occur each year. With this additional funding, further mid/late-year
supplemental appropriations should not be necessary;
 $329,200 to upgrade the police department’s fingerprint software and work toward accreditation of this
function;
 $975,000 to allow for the start-up of fire dispatching services to provide a more efficient response to
emergencies – this initiative will be self-funding due to increased contract service revenues;
 $351,900 to continue a pilot program started in 2014 with the Department of Judicial Administration and the
Department of Justice Services, focused on finding innovative ways to reduce the population of the jail; and
 $466,300 to complete implementation of a countywide time management system.
Despite these increases, most fund groups (see table above) have lower appropriations in 2015 than they did in 2014.
The budget for the General Funds is 0.5% lower than the 2014 revised appropriation. This decrease occurs because a
number of one-time projects funded in 2014 have been removed from the budget. These include an E-Poll book
initiative, facilities management projects, and demolitions of unfit structures. There is also a reduction because there
were no elections planned for 2015 at the time the budget was drafted.
The 2015 budget for Special Revenue Funds is 64.5% lower than the 2014 level. This is mostly due to two factors. First,
the budget for the Children’s Service Fund decreases from $106.7 million to $18.0 million because 2015 is an “off-year”
in the Fund’s two-year funding cycle. The second factor is a $31.1 million reduction in appropriations for the
Transportation Trust Fund which provides funding to Metro for public transportation. These funds become
See next page
appropriated as revenue is received, therefore there is no specific appropriation included in the recommended budget.
Appropriations for the Enterprise Fund – the Spirit of St. Louis Airport Fund – decrease 15.7% due to lower anticipated
fuel costs and a one-time capital project which was removed from the budget.
Finally, appropriations for All Other Funds decrease 71.1% due to the Public Mass Transit Fund. Similar to the
Transportation Trust Fund, this fund also provides funding to Metro for public transportation. These funds become
appropriated as revenue is received, therefore there is no specific appropriation included in the recommended budget.
The 2015 recommended budget provides the funding required to deliver essential services to the citizens of St. Louis
County while also setting aside a required minimum of unappropriated fund balances to safeguard the County’s bond
rating and provide flexibility should emergency funding be required during the course of the year.
The County Council will hold a public hearing to receive citizen input on the proposed budget on Tuesday, November
18th after the regularly scheduled Council meeting. The Council Committee of the Whole will meet on December 2-3 to
conduct a department-by-department review of the budget before considering legislation to implement the budget
later that month.
To view the proposed budget, visit the budget section of the County’s website (http://www.stlouisco.com/
YourGovernment/CountyDepartments/Budget.aspx) or you may view a hard copy by visiting the Budget Office on the
8th floor of the Administration Building. A budget visualization tool, Fiscal Focus, is available at
fiscalfocus.stlouisco.com. This tool provides budget data at the fund and department level in a graphical format.
If you have questions about the budget, e-mail [email protected], or call (314) 615-7046 for more information.
The “R” Title: Retiree
by Rosemary Wilson, Retiree, St. Louis County
Marketing Officer, St. Louis County Civilian Retirees’ Association
Reporter (Volunteer), St. Louis County Retirees’ Newsletter
I assumed the “R”=Retiree title on October 1, 1999, after 24 years of full time service in the St. Louis County
Department of Health as a Registered Nurse. I am one of 2671 living St. Louis County retirees (2215 retired civilian
employees and 456 retired commissioned police officers).
You, dear reader, may be one of the 3721 active County employees (i.e. 2891 civilian
active employees and 829 active commissioned police officers). In addition, this article
may be especially pertinent if you are one of the County’s active employees now
eligible to retire (i.e. 861 retirement eligible civilian employees and 53 retirement
eligible commissioned police officers).
I will use the first letters of the word “RETIREE” as topical headings for a retirement
readiness/preparation/adjustment checklist based on my personal experience in living
through this process.
____R...readiness to retire
Retirement is a major life change and/or possible crisis depending on your personal
circumstances and/or perceptions. Don’t underestimate the impact that retirement
will have on your life as you know it from when you were employed full time. Taking
the necessary time in advance of turning in your retirement notice to assess personal
readiness for retirement is both advisable and desirable. This incubation period from thinking about retirement to the
date of retirement declaration varies individually and can occur in a matter of weeks, months, or even years.
Intentional collaboration and dialogue with the significant others in your life about this change affecting everyone is
also an important part of this retirement preparation. Your life and their life will never be the same, for many reasons,
when you take this final step with your employer St. Louis County.
See next page
____E...examination of everything going on in your life
Looking through the lens of “retiree”, every aspect of life (i.e. family, beliefs, health, income, interests, goals, dreams)
needs an intentional review and then action/revision/exploration. Responsibilities and commitments in your life will
change as well as your discretionary time will increase. After all, a retiree has six Saturdays and one Sunday every week
to live and enjoy to the fullest the opportunities and possibilities now presenting themselves.
____T...taking stock of your stocks before retirement
If you are among the County employees eligible for retirement but still working full-time, you can probably identify
with the 2014 data cited here. According to the Center for State and Local Government Excellence (SLCE) and TIAACREF August, 2014 report, just 18% of full-time public employees are “very confident” about their retirement income
prospects. Of particular concern to full-time public employees are future benefits from Social Security and Medicare
and employees own savings and investments. Seeking advice from a professional financial advisor is not an unusual
recommendation for you to take about your stocks, bonds, certificates of deposits, and all kinds of current and future
investments being held or considered. Investing in the County’s 457 Plan for active employees is an additional option
for your fiscal planning for retirement.
____I...insurance choices for health care during retirement
When a person reaches age 65, there is Medicare which will cover some but not all health care costs. Hence, there is
the need to reach a decision about secondary health care insurance coverage in addition to Medicare if 65 years old or
older or if younger than 65 years primary health care insurance coverage through the County’s contracted plans or on
the private health care insurance market.
Specifically for you as a County retiree is the cafeteria of health-care (i.e. medical, dental, vision) insurance plans and
options which you need to choose from that best fits your personal health-care needs within the your anticipated
retirement income. All this information can be confusing and it is not unusual to have a new set of options and
premiums annually. Retirees need to understand that if they opt out of the County’s health-care coverage that it is an
irrevocable decision--one that cannot be undone. Suffice to say, health-care coverage is a complicated and most often
expensive retirement puzzle to be solved and solved, in some cases, again and again on an annual basis. The facts are
that Americans are living longer and health care costs are rising. So, this is a dynamic and changing aspect of
retirement.
____R...’reimagination’ of your life
Question: “What is the biggest room in the world?” Answer: “It is the room for self improvement.” The quest for selfimprovement involves personal life change for the better beginning in the immediate future of the next minute of life.
Life Reimagined is a global social movement of the real possibilities of discovery and learning throughout life. The
AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) published a book 4 years ago which is a how-to guide to making life
change a possibility. It is entitled, Life Reimagined Discovering Your New Life Possibilities. It is available at the St. Louis
County Library and recommended reading for retirees and those considering retirement.
When you have your 50th birthday, it is time to apply for AARP membership! There are a wide range of discounts and
in depth information that pertains at that age and beyond that you will want to take advantage of.
____E...encore career/s
Many full-time employees choose to work full-time or part-time after retiring in a wide array of paying and non-paying
positions.
There is the County’s “intermittent employee” program applicable to all merit positions which rehires qualified retirees
to work on a hourly basis not to exceed 640 hours in a calendar year. Retiree hobbies have become businesses and
those retirees have moved from being an employee to an entrepreneur. For some retirees volunteering with local
community groups becomes a worthwhile use of time to make a positive difference in the lives of others by using their
experience of a lifetime. And let’s not forget the important family role of “Grandparent” and the time to really enjoy it.
I have heard it said by more than one retiree, “I don’t know how I ever had time to work before as I am so busy now
that I am retired and have so many things to do.”
See next page
____E...entitlements
You have earned the option to participate in some unique entitlements for your years of service as a retired St. Louis
County employee.
If you are a civilian retiree, there is the St. Louis County Civilian Retirees’ Association (aka STLCCRA). Membership dues
are $12/year. Information is available online at http://www.stlccra.com or by phone at 314-291-1867. The mission
statement for the organization established in 2006 is: “To promote the well being, enhance the quality of life and
encourage the full potential of St. Louis County retirees by promoting socialization while supplying helpful information
on issues and matters important to civilian retirees.” The group does so with monthly programs/tours/seasonal
socials/Dutch-treat lunches after quarterly business meetings. Retirees’ guests are always welcome.
If you are a retired commissioned police officer, there is the St. Louis County Police Retiree’s Association. Membership
dues are $15/year. Information and membership applications are available by phone at 636-458-3166. The mission
statement is long for the organization established in 1996: “To review and promote the improvement of existing
retiree benefits....To promote and strengthen the mutual comradeship and friendship by years of service together....To
visit sick members and assist them....To offer condolences to the family of a deceased member….To offer and provide
any assistance possible to the St Louis County Department of Police within our capabilities….To provide guidance and
assistance to widows/family members of our deceased.” The group has business meetings and seasonal socials.
Retirees’ guests are always welcome.
Both the County’s civilian retirees and retired commissioned police are the target audiences for the St. Louis County
Retirees’ Newsletter published quarterly (November, February, May, and August) since February, 2010 and written by
volunteers. The latest newsletter as well as newsletter archives are posted online on the St. Louis County website
under the Personnel Department. The newsletter is deliverable in hard copy through US mail for a subscription fee of
$5 for 4 issues. Information about the newsletter is available at 314-997-3474.
In conclusion, transitioning to and living the retiree role in life is summarized by saying:
Knowing, Doing, Being