City Comptroller Donna Baringer gives St. Louis tornado response 'C' grade

Added: 2026-06-02

[00:00:00]The year after the tornado, people in North City are still waiting. The federal government hasn't delivered on its part. The state is still sitting on money that it has promised but hasn't actually showed up yet. What can the comptroller's office do if anything right now with the tools that you have to move the needle for these families who need help?

[00:00:15]>> So, let's start with how we've been helping from the beginning. We have had two accountants, and that's their job is to make sure that the recovery team is complying with FEMA. Because if we don't comply with FEMA, then we don't get reimbursed. FEMA only reimburses us for 75%, not 100%.

[00:00:31]>> to speak plain language, compliance means don't send money in the wrong direction.

[00:00:35]>> Well, they'll say what you can or cannot turn in to be reimbursed for. So, an example was I think someone tried to turn in for reimbursement an agency for a a van, and they're not going to reimburse you for a van, but they will reimburse for demolition, you know, uh work that needs to be done for the tornado victims, survivors.

[00:00:55]So, we've made sure the accounting is correct when it comes to are we complying with FEMA. We've also tried to fast-track any process that needs to be done, whether it's um getting the contracts as emergency work orders.

[00:01:10]>> How would you grade the tornado recovery response?

[00:01:13]>> Well, it would depend on which level you're talking about.

[00:01:15]>> was my follow-up question. To whom would you assign that grade?

[00:01:19]>> Who would I assign the grade to? For the recovery?

[00:01:22]>> How has St. Louis recovered from the tornado? How would you grade the response?

[00:01:25]>> I think the response to set up what needs to be done is going well. I think actually doing the action of what needs to be done is a C. We need to improve on it, and that's what we're working towards.

[00:01:37]>> So, you're saying the government's doing what it should, but the people that are carrying out the contract work are getting a C?

[00:01:43]>> No, what I'm saying is is that we've set everything up, the template, in the way it should be set up, and we just took too long to set that up. Now that it's set up, it's time to put it into practice and get to work. And that is where we fell apart there.

[00:01:59]>> Okay.