Dooley Talks Debt Ceiling at County Council Meeting

Even though the question of whether to raise the nation’s debt ceiling will be decided by Congress, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley said inaction on the issue would have an effect on St. Louis County.

As KMOX reported Tuesday, Moody’s Investment Services is considering downgrading America’s credit rating. That could have an effect on the state’s bond rating.

During a St. Louis County Council meeting, Dooley told reporters he is concerned about the debt ceiling situation but added he is hopeful that the debate comes to a “reasonable conclusion.”

Asked if an increase in interest would mean less money for other projects, Dooley said, “Yes, that’s what it is.”

OTHER BUSINESS

• District 2 Councilwoman Kathleen Kelly Burkett introduced an ordinance to authorize a contract for Gateway Sports League to lease an athletic field at . The lease would allow amateur softball games to occur on Athletic Field No. 2 through June 2016.

• Council members provided final approval to District 5 Councilman Pat Dolan’s ordinance to transfer approximately 3,790 square feet of land to Richmond Heights. The swap is related to the , a project completed in 2009 that runs underneath Hanley Road and connects to Eager Road. Dolan is a Richmond Heights resident.

• In addition, the council gave initial approval to Dolan’s ordinance that would authorize the acceptance of $140,000 from the to improve the fire alarm system of the Courts Building.
  
  
• The City of St. George took a step Tuesday toward forcing a vote on whether to dissolve. The St. Louis County Council accepted signatures at its meeting on Tuesday that would prompt a vote on whether to dissolve the southern St. Louis municipality. The town has been wrangling with the question of
  
  Dooley said the signatures will be referred to the . He said that entity will certify the signatures so that the question can be posed to voters.
  
  “It’s up to the citizens,” Dooley said when asked if St. Louis County had any position on the move. “They know what they want.”