Mayor Spencer and Board of Aldermen Announce Legislation to Modernize St. Louis's Civil Service System

Mayor Cara Spencer today joined Board of Aldermen President Megan Green, Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez, Alderman Matt Devoti, Comptroller Donna Baringer, and Director of Personnel Brian Light to introduce a six-bill package that would modernize the City's civil service system for the first time in several decades.

"Our employees are this city's greatest resource, and they deserve a system that hires good people quickly, treats them fairly, and resolves problems promptly," said Mayor Spencer. "These bills keep the core promises of civil service, merit, fairness, and freedom from political pressure, in the Charter where they belong, while giving us the tools to recruit and keep the skilled workers St. Louis needs."

Article XVIII of the City Charter, which governs how St. Louis hires, promotes, pays, and supports its more than 4,000 employees, remains substantially in the form adopted in 1941. Because so many personnel rules are written into the Charter itself, even routine updates have required a citywide vote. 

The bill package, Proposition HR, includes a Charter amendment for the April 6, 2027 ballot that repeals and replaces Article XVIII with a modern human resources system. Proposition HR would change the name of the Department of Personnel to the Human Resources Department, and states it will be led by a Chief Human Resources Officer chosen from the top three candidates on a competitive exam and removable only for cause after a public hearing. It also keeps merit-based hiring and protections against political coercion and discrimination in the Charter, and moves detailed pay, hiring, and work rules into ordinance and administrative regulation.

“This work makes good on a promise made by the Board of Aldermen when it established the Charter Commission in 2023.” said President Green. “The commission created a roadmap for fixing longstanding, structural roadblocks that have held St. Louis back, and reforming our personnel department is a critical step in moving our city forward.”

Moving the city forward requires competitive hiring practices. Right now, the lack of a modern system that meets job seekers where they are causes unnecessary hold ups in getting people to work. From application to start date takes an average of 54 days. The goal, with the support of Proposition HR, is to decrease that time to 45 days. Increasing efficiency in hiring directly impacts the administration of civil services.

“When voters approve these reforms, it will mark a sweeping transformation in how St. Louis recruits and retains employees and, ultimately, how we deliver services to residents,” said Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez. “We’re trying to run a modern city with a personnel system from 1941. It’s time to update these rules so city government works better for the people who depend on it and for the public servants who keep it running.” 

Proposition HR also includes a Civil Service Commission ordinance that focuses the Commission on overseeing the merit system and hearing appeals. Commissioners must be City residents who have not held elected office or a political party position in the past four years, and serve staggered six-year terms. For the first time, the Commission must rule on disciplinary appeals within 60 days of the evidence being submitted, or the employee's appeal is granted. The bill package’s grievance process ordinance gives employees a defined, deadline-driven path to resolve workplace problems, including optional mediation and a review committee that includes a labor representative.

"We worked closely with labor organizations to develop legislation that helps the City attract and retain employees while creating a fairer workplace, holding City government to the same standards we expect of our workforce,” said Alderman Matt DeVoti. “I'm especially proud that these reforms would restore City employees’ ability to express their political views and participate in the political process as private citizens, with appropriate safeguards in place. If we want residents to be engaged in local democracy, we should make sure that the people who keep our city running every day have the same opportunity."

Proposition HR includes a political activity ordinance, making clear how city employees can and should lawfully express political opinions, as well as a definitions ordinance establishing consistent terms across the City's personnel code.

“Since taking office, I have emphasized the importance of modernizing our City Charter, and meaningful reform begins with our city employees,” Comptroller Donna Baringer said. “I commend Alderwoman Velazquez and Alderman Devoti for their partnership in advancing these changes. I look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to reform and modernize the Charter in ways that strengthen City government and better serve taxpayers.” 

The six ordinances take effect only if voters approve the Charter amendment.