Larry Williams Should Not Seek Another Term as Treasurer
St. Louis has had one treasurer for over 30 years. Larry Williams first became treasurer when then mayor Schoemehl appointed him to the position in 1981. Williams has since been reelected over sand over, seldom facing a credible challenger at the polls.
What does the treasurer’s office do? The following is from the city webpage:
The Treasurer’s Office controls and monitors all the bank accounts of the City. There are currently over 30 accounts under this office’s control. Through daily contact with the Comptroller’s Office and detailed reconciliations of these accounts, this office provides a check and balance for the Comptroller’s Office. In addition, this office is by ordinance the depository for all receipts of the City and provides a means for departments to make daily deposits.
The Treasurer’s Office issues all payroll checks, deposits funds for federal and state taxes, funds for savings bonds and other payroll deductions.
The Treasurer is also responsible for making all investments for the City. This includes purchasing, selling and auditing the earnings on these investments as well as ensuring that City funds are safe and secure.
Treasurer Operations
Larry C. Williams has been Treasurer of the City of St. Louis since 1981. His responsibilities include that of being the head of the City’s banking systems and parking services operation.
As head of banking operations, he is responsible for the establishment of over fifty different City banking accounts, receiving deposits and reinvesting the intake of cash from a variety of City sources.
Treasurer Williams is the Custodian for the Police and Fire Department’s Retirement System, Chairman of the Fund Committee and Parking Commission, and a Co-Chair and board member of Downtown Now.
As supervisor of parking, he is responsible for the installation and operation of approximately 10,000 meters on the street, twenty-nine parking enforcement officers, and the daily operation of the Kiel Parking Garage (home of the St. Louis Blues). Other off-street facilities run by the Treasurer include the City Hall Parking Lot and the Justice Center Garage downtown, and the Argyle Parking Facility at Lindell and Euclid.
Revenues under the supervision and control of the Treasurer exceed $1.5 billion. The Treasurer is now currently focused on the efficient and effective distribution of parking in the City, especially the Central Business District. He believes our downtown should house a larger-living, urban environment. Mr. Williams’ way of achieving maximum revitalization of our urban center is through the cooperation and intercommunication of the public and private sector.
Wow, $1.5 billion? The treasurer’s office is not overseen by anyone on city government other than the treasurer. The treasurer has no duty report to the mayor or board of aldermen. It’s past time for change but that should come this year. Three political figures have announced they will run for treasurer: alderman Fred Wessels, head of city Democrats Brian Wahby and state rep Tishaura Jones.
The partisan primary is in August and the general election is in November. Unless one of the three above runs as an independent or Republican the race will likely be decided in August. Williams, now in his 80s, can do everyone a favor and not seek yet another term in office.
– Steve Patterson
While I don’t have any strong opinions on which career politician should head this office, I do question one significant part of its current structure. When it comes to the actual financial management of the city’s money, I’m not aware of any significant irregularities – bills are being paid on time, unlike in Illlinois. I’m guessing that we have a competent, dedicated staff working in the office, and whoever is elected to “run” the office is mostly a figurehead.Â
The one part I do question is running the city’s parking operations. The Treasurer’s office also bills and collects for water service and, now, trash collection, but doesn’t directly provide either service. Wouldn’t it make more sense to have our parking control officers supervised by either the Streets Department or the Police? Wouldn’t it make more sense to either put our parking garages under the control of Public Office Buildings or, more logically, privatize the entire operation? As it stands now, parking management seems to be being done less efficiently or effectively than it could be, primarily because the focus is revenue, not managing a scarce resource.
While I don’t have any strong opinions on which career politician should head this office, I do question one significant part of its current structure. When it comes to the actual financial management of the city’s money, I’m not aware of any significant irregularities – bills are being paid on time, unlike in Illlinois. I’m guessing that we have a competent, dedicated staff working in the office, and whoever is elected to “run” the office is mostly a figurehead.
The one part I do question is running the city’s parking operations. The Treasurer’s office also bills and collects for water service and, now, trash collection, but doesn’t directly provide either service. Wouldn’t it make more sense to have our parking control officers supervised by either the Streets Department or the Police? Wouldn’t it make more sense to either put our parking garages under the control of Public Office Buildings or, more logically, privatize the entire operation? As it stands now, parking management seems to be being done less efficiently or effectively than it could be, primarily because the focus is revenue, not managing a scarce resource.
I decided not to go into all the sorted details but do a Google search and you will find all sorts of unsavory stories: the last state audit shed some light on just how many of the employees are related to each other. Three decades of no accountability and lots of funding hasn’t been good.
I decided not to go into all the sorted details but do a Google search and you will find all sorts of unsavory stories: the last state audit shed some light on just how many of the employees are related to each other. Three decades of no accountability and lots of funding hasn’t been good.
The treasurer does no billing and collection. Those functions are done by the collector of revenure and the license collector. This office has been a mess as far back as the 80’s. That is when Larry Williams and his immediate family bounced 43 personal checks on cash accounts in the treasurer’s office. This is well documented in the Margaret Kelly Audits in 1988. In response, I sponsored two bills that eliminated the authority of the treasurer or anyone else to write personal checks on the cash accounts in that office.
For the record, I am a career health care manager who also serves on the St Louis Board of Aldermen.
Fred Wessels
The treasurer does no billing and collection. Those functions are done by the collector of revenure and the license collector. This office has been a mess as far back as the 80’s. That is when Larry Williams and his immediate family bounced 43 personal checks on cash accounts in the treasurer’s office. This is well documented in the Margaret Kelly Audits in 1988. In response, I sponsored two bills that eliminated the authority of the treasurer or anyone else to write personal checks on the cash accounts in that office.
For the record, I am a career health care manager who also serves on the St Louis Board of Aldermen.
Fred Wessels
Why did Mayor Schoemehl appoint him?
Why did Mayor Schoemehl appoint him?
I have no idea — that was three decades ago! I was in middle school in Oklahoma. But, I will find out. My guess is Schoemehl had no way of knowing the guy would still be in office over 30 years later.
It’s pretty hard to unseat an incumbent.
Lana Stein talks about it on page 199-200 of St. Louis Politics. Williams was a friend of Congressman Clay who helped get Vince elected.
I have no idea — that was three decades ago! I was in middle school in Oklahoma. But, I will find out. My guess is Schoemehl had no way of knowing the guy would still be in office over 30 years later.
I’m sure he was appointed for some political favor back then. But this office’s independence has seen it’s day. It’s time to change and unfortunately, I believe this is a county office and as such cannot be eliminated without the State oking it, just like the police control….and we see how easy that has been. This is one area which should NOT be privatized. Parking in all it’s forms is a cash cow for the city. It should be put into general revenue for the betterment of the City, not just one department.
I’m sure he was appointed for some political favor back then. But this office’s independence has seen it’s day. It’s time to change and unfortunately, I believe this is a county office and as such cannot be eliminated without the State oking it, just like the police control….and we see how easy that has been. This is one area which should NOT be privatized. Parking in all it’s forms is a cash cow for the city. It should be put into general revenue for the betterment of the City, not just one department.
If it’s a cash cow then it’s possible there are problems with how much parking they have because the treasurer hasn’t been paying into the general fund. The Treasuer’s office should be buying out private operators and demolishing their garages in order to reduce supply and increase the cost of parking. This would bring more funding to the city for transit and active transportation improvements: biking and walking.
It has nothing to do with excess parking. Indeed, many would say there isn’t enough downtown. They don’t share revenue because by charter, they aren’t allowed to. Hence the need to rewrite the rules. And as for funding more transit options for biking and walking: If I was Treasurer I would share revenue and use some for increasing biking paths/storage racks, etc. But why would he do that now? Current (old) thinking dictates that that is not in revenue increasing interests, i.e…..no cars….no fees.
If it’s a cash cow then it’s possible there are problems with how much parking they have because the treasurer hasn’t been paying into the general fund. The Treasuer’s office should be buying out private operators and demolishing their garages in order to reduce supply and increase the cost of parking. This would bring more funding to the city for transit and active transportation improvements: biking and walking.
It has nothing to do with excess parking. Indeed, many would say there isn’t enough downtown. They don’t share revenue because by charter, they aren’t allowed to. Hence the need to rewrite the rules. And as for funding more transit options for biking and walking: If I was Treasurer I would share revenue and use some for increasing biking paths/storage racks, etc. But why would he do that now? Current (old) thinking dictates that that is not in revenue increasing interests, i.e…..no cars….no fees.
It’s pretty hard to unseat an incumbent.
It’s pretty hard to unseat an incumbent.
Pretty good article on parking, from the New York Times:Â http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/arts/design/taking-parking-lots-seriously-as-public-spaces.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=michaelkimmelman&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1326250883-EKOnoSRL67SIUB4RMUSgBA
Pretty good article on parking, from the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/arts/design/taking-parking-lots-seriously-as-public-spaces.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=michaelkimmelman&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1326250883-EKOnoSRL67SIUB4RMUSgBA
Lana Stein talks about it on page 199-200 of St. Louis Politics. Â Williams was a friend of Congressman Clay who helped get Vince elected. Â Â