St. Louis city officials approved budget cuts totaling $1.44 million from police and fire department funds on June 25, 2026. The Estimate Board voted to reallocate the money to cover $1.4 million in mandated firefighter pay increases.

The approved cuts included $1 million from the police department's legal fund and $440,000 from the fire department's vehicle budget. Mayor Cara Spencer, Comptroller Donna Baringer, and Aldermanic President Megan Green voted to approve the adjustments. Spencer said the city had no choice but to reallocate funds. "We had to scramble to find the money," she said.

The reallocations stem from a provision in the St. Louis city charter that mandates equal pay for police and firefighters of similar rank. The state-run Board of Police Commissioners increased pay for police command staff on June 24, 2026, triggering the requirement. The Police Board had proposed pay raises of 16% for lieutenants, 18% for captains, 20% for majors, and 22% for lieutenant colonels, effective July 1, 2026. The St. Louis Police Department stated it was not consulted on the budget changes.

City Budget Director Paul Payne said the cut to the fire department vehicle budget was not tied to any specific planned purchase. Payne also said the police board recently moved $5 million from its current budget into a reserve for future liabilities. Green expressed concerns regarding the financial pressures. "This will not be sustainable long-term if year after year, the police board is coming back to us with raises of this magnitude," Green said.