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This surplus is a result of increased revenue and lower than budgeted expenses.

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September 17, 2026 | 2 min reading time

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ST. LOUIS, (September 17, 2026) - City Comptroller Donna M.C. Baringer announced today that the City of St Louis General Operating Fund generated a surplus of just under $46M for the Fiscal Year ended 6/30/2026. This surplus is a result of increased revenue and lower than budgeted expenses. Compared to the prior Fiscal Year, General Fund Revenue grew 10.9% to just over $612M. Expenses using the same prior Fiscal Year comparison grew by just 3.2% to $567M.

“This continued strong fiscal performance allows us to provide appropriate City services to residents, a competitive salary to City workers, and the capital to support critical infrastructure and improvements,” said Comptroller Baringer.

In line with City Ordinances, half of the operating surplus is transferred to the City-Wide Capital Fund. The remaining balance is transferred to the City’s General Fund Reserves.

Comptroller Donna M.C. Baringer is the chief fiscal officer of the City of St. Louis and is charged with safeguarding the city’s credit rating and protecting taxpayer dollars. Learn more about the Office of the Comptroller.

“The reaffirmation by Moody’s is a clear vote of confidence in the airport’s current fiscal standing and the continued dedication of our office.”

09 Sep 2026

Moody’s Ratings has affirmed the City of St. Louis’ credit rating of “A2” on its Airport Enterprise’s Airport Revenue Bonds. The outlook for Series 2026A, Series 2026B, and Series 2026C remains stable.

The A2 rating reflects Moody’s expectation of stable credit metrics, supported by the airport’s solid position within the Missouri-Illinois service area and a strong Airline Use and Lease Agreement (AULA).

“The reaffirmation by Moody’s is a clear vote of confidence in the airport’s current fiscal standing and the continued dedication of our office,” Comptroller Donna M.C. Baringer said. “As St. Louis Lambert International Airport embarks on the Consolidated Terminal Project (CTP), our office remains committed to maintaining financial stability, transparency, and effective long-term planning.”

Moody’s noted that sustaining strong debt service coverage ratios, keeping enplanements competitive, and seeing demographic growth in the St. Louis region could lead to an upgraded rating in the future. However the city needs to sustain a sound financial performance over the next two years. ###

Comptroller Donna M.C. Baringer is the chief fiscal officer of the City of St. Louis and is charged with safeguarding the city’s credit rating and protecting taxpayer dollars. Learn more about the Office of the Comptroller.

The report recognizes the city’s strong financial position, improved reserves and liquidity, and continued commitment to structural balance.

(St. Louis - August 14, 2026) - Moody’s has revised the City of St. Louis’ credit outlook to positive, while affirming the city’s “A2” credit rating.

The report recognizes the city’s strong financial position, improved reserves and liquidity, and continued commitment to structural balance. Moody’s also noted the city’s diverse economy and role as the regional employment center, while identifying ongoing challenges including the below-average incomes, population decline, and long-term infrastructure needs.

“This positive outlook from Moody’s is a clear recognition of the City of St. Louis’ continued commitment to sound financial management,” Comptroller Donna M.C. Baringer said. “Our strong reserves and focus on structural balance give us a solid foundation to make strategic investments in the future of our city while maintaining fiscal responsibility.”

The city’s available fund balance stood at approximately $941 million, with approximately $1.16 billion in net unrestricted cash at the end of the fiscal year 2025. Available fund balance represented approximately 61.5 percent of revenue, while liquidity was approximately 76 percent of revenue.

Moody’s concluded that the city’s positive outlook reflects its expectation that St. Louis will maintain a healthy financial position despite the planned used of Rams settlement funds for one time capital projects. The agency expects the city’s available fund balance to remain about 45 percent of revenue at the close of fiscal year 2027.