Voters Approve Proposition W and Proposition S
Voters have been consistent on the question of Prop W for more than 20 years. Its approval will allow MSD Project Clear to issue bonds for a portion of the work ahead in the next 4 years, which will keep rate increases much lower. MSD has $3.7 billion worth of wastewater system improvements that are required in the next 15 years, as well as other federal and State mandated projects.
Our promise to the people of the St. Louis region is that we will continue to do that in the most efficient way possible and take advantage of every opportunity to reduce the financial cost to our customers. We have made great strides in the performance and effectiveness of the St. Louis region’s public wastewater system, and this work continues.
With the passage of Prop S, MSD Project Clear will begin to address more than $700 million of known stormwater problems, mostly flooding and erosion, across St. Louis City and County. We can now take a much-needed regional approach to flooding and erosion troubles. Voter approval of Prop S will also enable us to begin a new municipal stormwater grant program which will drive many decisions on stormwater priorities to the local level.
This is the first time we have had the funding to make major stormwater improvements, and we appreciate voters’ confidence in our ability to address the region’s growing stormwater problems. We have the first five years of stormwater improvements already mapped out and plan to start on several projects beginning in 2025. We appreciate everyone in the St. Louis region who took the time to vote today, no matter how they cast their ballots.
Thank you to everyone who helped us educate our voters about these important initiatives. We look forward to continuing to work with you and strengthen our community partnerships.
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Proposition W
In 2012, a federal judge approved an agreement between MSD, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, to make massive improvements to the St. Louis region’s WASTEWATER system, and work began on a $7.2 billion, 28-year plan to bring the region into full compliance with the Clean Water Act. Since then, MSDPC has completed more than 650 system improvements, eliminated 85% of overflows into the environment, and reduced backups by 25%.
MSD Project Clear is now asking voters to decide how the next four years of work will be funded. Proposition W offers voters the choice between paying upfront in cash or paying with a mix of cash and bonds. Similar to taking out a loan for a home, a mix of cash and bonds spreads out costs over 20-30 years. You pay less now, but more long-term. By paying upfront, all the work must be paid for in the next four years. It costs much more now, but less overall because there are no interest payments. This is the impact on WASTEWATER rates.
A “yes” vote on Proposition W is a vote to grant MSDPC an additional $750 million in bonding authority. A “no” vote on Proposition W is a vote to fund the next four years of work upfront.
WATCH AND LEARN:
Got a few minutes?
Comprehensive explanation of Prop W.
Only have 30 seconds?
Quick explanation of Prop W.
Proposition S
Proposition S is for STORMWATER, and would create the first regional stormwater improvement program in MSDPC’s service area. It is a response to thousands of requests for help to deal with the growing number of STORMWATER problems like flooding and erosion in every part of the St. Louis Region.
MSD Project Clear has identified more than 500 STORMWATER solutions across the service area. If approved, Proposition S would generate about $35 million a year to pay for solutions.
The money would come from two sources: A property tax for residential customers and an impervious surface fee paid by non-residential customers. The average homeowner in the St. Louis region would pay about $25 per year, while non-residential customers would pay $1.05 per month per 1,000 square feet of impervious surface (surfaces that do not soak up STORMWATER).
WATCH AND LEARN:
Got a few minutes?
Comprehensive explanation of Prop S.
Only have 30 seconds?
Quick explanation of Prop S.
Starting Lineup:
Take a tour of some of the first stormwater problems MSD Project Clear will address if voters approve Proposition S.
Project No. 13626 - Wieland Storm Improvements
Project No. 13533 - Gratiot Storm Sewer and Curb Inlet
Project No. 13366 - Briarwyck Storm Improvements
Project No. 12755 - Oleatha Storm Improvements
Project No. 12827 - Berwick Storm Improvements
Project No. 13368 - Claymont Storm Improvements
Project No. 10590 - Edna & Grove Storm Improvements
Project No. 11462 - St. Andrews & St Marys Storm Improvements
Project No. 12754 - Allemania Storm Improvements
Project No. 13395 - Golfview Storm Improvements
Project No. 10779 - Ulena Storm Sewer
Project No. 13369 - Novara Storm Improvements
Upcoming Public Meetings
MSD Project Clear is hosting a series of virtual and in-person townhalls to share more information about the proposals and to answer any questions. Everyone is encouraged to attend one of these meetings to learn more about the rate proposals.
Tuesday, March 19 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Virtual – Zoom
Zoom Link
Wednesday, March 20 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
St. Louis County Library Florissant Valley Branch – Meeting Room 1
195 South New Florissant Road, Florissant MO
Thursday, March 21 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
St. Louis County Library Cliff Cave Branch – Meeting Room 1
5430 Telegraph Road, St. Louis MO
Monday, March 25 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Virtual – Zoom
Zoom Link
Monday, March 25 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Richmond Heights City Hall – Council Chambers
1330 South Big Bend Boulevard, Richmond Heights MO
Tuesday, March 26 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Chesterfield City Hall – Council Chambers
690 Chesterfield Parkway West, Chesterfield MO
Wednesday, March 27 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Fenton City Hall – Board Room
625 South New Smizer Mill Road, Fenton MO
Thursday, March 28 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District – Room 109
2350 Market Street, St. Louis MO
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Rate Commission
Both rate proposals were reviewed, scrutinized, and recommended by the independent Rate Commission, and approved for the ballot by MSD’s Board of Trustees.
The Election
Proposition W and Proposition S will be decided by registered voters on April 2, 2024. Polls will be open from 6:00am – 7:00pm that day. Check with the St. Louis City Board of Election Commissioners or the St. Louis County Board of Elections for registration deadlines, sample ballots, or to find your polling place.