Donate now

Celeste Metcalf
FORMER Candidate for
City of St Louis Comptrolle

Celeste Metcalf FORMER Candidate for City of St Louis ComptrolleCeleste Metcalf FORMER Candidate for City of St Louis ComptrolleCeleste Metcalf FORMER Candidate for City of St Louis Comptrolle
Home
Overarching Objectives
Strategic Initiatives
More
  • Who We Are
  • Financial Management
  • BIO
  • Community Engagement
  • Help Our Cause
  • Contact Us
ENDORSEMENT

Celeste Metcalf
FORMER Candidate for
City of St Louis Comptrolle

Celeste Metcalf FORMER Candidate for City of St Louis ComptrolleCeleste Metcalf FORMER Candidate for City of St Louis ComptrolleCeleste Metcalf FORMER Candidate for City of St Louis Comptrolle
Home
Overarching Objectives
Strategic Initiatives
More
  • Who We Are
  • Financial Management
  • BIO
  • Community Engagement
  • Help Our Cause
  • Contact Us
ENDORSEMENT
More
  • Home
  • Overarching Objectives
  • Strategic Initiatives
  • More
    • Who We Are
    • Financial Management
    • BIO
    • Community Engagement
    • Help Our Cause
    • Contact Us
  • ENDORSEMENT
  • Home
  • Overarching Objectives
  • Strategic Initiatives
  • More
    • Who We Are
    • Financial Management
    • BIO
    • Community Engagement
    • Help Our Cause
    • Contact Us
  • ENDORSEMENT

Join our movement now!

Join our movement now!Join our movement now!Join our movement now!

Help us campaign today!! 

New Leadership | New Direction

Join Us

Online Payments

Donate Now

Hosted a "Meet & Greet" for Former Senator Claire McCaskill

Hosted a "Meet & Greet" for Former Senator Claire McCaskill

Hosted a "Meet & Greet" for Former Senator Claire McCaskill

Urban League Salute to Women

Hosted a "Meet & Greet" for Former Senator Claire McCaskill

Hosted a "Meet & Greet" for Former Senator Claire McCaskill

Proud, Founding member of the Black Eyed P's

Hosted a "Meet & Greet" for Former Senator Claire McCaskill

The City Museum's ferris wheel will blow your mind!

The City Museum's ferris wheel will blow your mind!

Hosted a "Meet & Greet" for Former Senator Claire McCaskill

The City Museum's ferris wheel will blow your mind!

My name is Celeste Metcalf. I hold the credentials of CPA/MBA, and I want to be the next Comptroller of the City of St. Louis. 


My goal is to offer my expertise, organizational skills, discipline and integrity to the city’s financial affairs and operations. I want to be on the Team that is willing to roll up their sleeves; a Team that is committed to work collectively and cohesively to strive toward the realization of success in the achievement of City of St. Louis objectives. 


I need your vote to accomplish this goal!!!


Effective financial management involves an accurate assessment of current and future objectives followed by a determination of which available resources best achieve these stated objectives. I have worked within the Recorder of Deeds Office, the License Collector’s Office, the Comptroller’s Office and the Treasurer’s Offices, so I am already familiar with some of the accounting struggles and financial management challenges inherent within the city’s financial structure.


Over the last few years, the City of St. Louis has received an unprecedented amount of money from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) and from the St. Louis RAMS litigation settlement. As exciting and wonderful as it is to have received these huge sums of money, the question that must be asked is whether or not the current use of these funds is appropriate and responsive to our city’s existing needs?


One of the main roles of government is to assess taxes on private citizens and then use these receipts to ultimately serve the general public. Once tax revenues are collected, the government is responsible for distributing these resources on projects for the enhancement and betterment of the community and constituents. 


If the ARPA and RAMS funds are being placed in the bank to collect interest or to boost our credit rating, then there appears to be a disconnect between the purpose of those funds and the role that government is designed to play. 


Having a budget surplus only deserves applause if the needs of our citizens have been met. But given the current state of affairs, how do we explain:


  • The inability of the city to pay its bills on time if the money exists to pay these bills? [1]
  • The potholes and disrepair of city streets if we have the money to fix them?
  • Paying late fees and penalties just because we have the money to do so?
  • An ineffective accounting system if we have the money to buy a better one? [2]


What other issues could have been addressed with this significant windfall of cash the City currently has in its coffers? Accumulating interest, compiling a budget surplus or focusing on using this cash to ensure a good credit rating ignores the major role and the vital purpose governments are designed to play, i.e., to benefit publicly available infrastructures and to enhance the quality of life of the community being served.


The City of St. Louis is at a critical point of growth, from an economic, from a population and from a physical infrastructure perspective. Good business decisions require the availability of consistent, accurate and reliable information combined with an understanding of when the pursuit of debt is acceptable and necessary.


As the City’s Chief Financial Officer, the Comptroller must have a good understanding of accounting principles, must possess the ability to interpret financial statements and must be equipped with a background that promotes effective business practices. I possess all of these necessary skills and I am prepared to leverage my educational background, my experiences and my past performance in the execution of my responsibilities as the City’s next Comptroller.


[1] , [2]  https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/st-louis-can-t-pay-its-bills-on-time-darlene-green-and-her-work-hours/article_955553a4-7a7b-11ee-b65f-076b441dc41a.html

Overarching Objectives

AS COMPTROLLER, I WOULD CONCENTRATE ON:

Enhancing ECONOMIC STABILITY

  • Encourage industry diversification to minimize the impact of economic fluctuations
  • Explore ways in which we can capitalize on our location, strengths and assets


Ensuring INFRASTRUCTURE PRESERVATION

  • Maintain our aging infrastructure, including streets, roads & bridges
  • Preserve our historic buildings, scenic parks and unique architecture


Encouraging BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

  • Create an environment that will attract new businesses and/or global opportunities
  • Ensure decision making reinforces progress and future growth
  • Confirm any new initiatives support and do not hamper or impede current trajectories
  • Stabilize K-12 public education to attract families, increase population and promote regional business growth
  • Cultivate the talent that will encourage local business success and survival


Protecting our OUR WAY OF LIFE

  • Ensure revenues, from all sources, can maintain and support St. Louis’ reasonable cost of living
  • Support St. Louis’ family friendly environment which inspires free, unique events year-round

Strategic Initiatives

HOW DO I INTEND TO ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES?

HERE ARE A FEW STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENTS AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IDEAS THAT I THINK ARE WORTH CONSIDERING:

  

REVISIT THE INITIATIVE TO INTRODUCE AND PROMOTE HIGH SPEED RAIL IN THE MIDWEST


  • Introduced in 2009 by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
  • Intended to facilitate and incentivize interstate commerce and travel
  • Designed to mimic high-speed passenger trains offered throughout Europe
  • ARRA proposed trains that would support travel to and from:
    • Chicago and St. Louis, and
    • St. Louis and Kansas City
  • Fulfillment could strengthen the regions' existing railway and logistical assets
  • Implementation involves upgrades to all railway tracks to accommodate faster trains
  • Requires installation of faster, more responsive railway crossing devices and alerts


ACTIVELY PROMOTE ST. LOUIS AS A DESIRABLE LOCATION FOR ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY FILMED PROJECTS TO:


  • Capitalize on SB94, Tax Credits for certain entertainment
  • Add to the list of projects filmed in Missouri, like Winter’s Bone and Netflix’ Ozark 
  • Take advantage of the variety of backdrops and architecture readily available
  • Expose the history, uniqueness, diversity and beauty of St. Louis
  • Provide additional revenue streams, e.g., hotel, hospitality, location rental & sales taxes
  • Offer transient employment opportunities in response to creative industry demands

  

CONFRONT AND ADDRESS THE CONSEQUENCES OF “RED-LINING” WHICH HAVE RESULTED IN:


  • An abundance of vacant lots and abandoned buildings north of the Delmar Divide
  • An irreplaceable loss of historic row houses and architecturally unique structures
  • Significant population loss combined with a corresponding loss of our city’s tax base


MAKE ENHANCEMENTS TO LAMBERT AIRPORT, A “FORMER TWA HUB” TO:


  • Attract more corporate headquarters/regional offices seeking viable airport accessibility
  • Make effective use of an abundance of runways qualifying as “hub worthy” 
  • Keep revenues in St. Louis by enabling local businesses to be concession vendors
  • Allow these local businesses to expose airport travelers to “A Taste of St. Louis” 


ELIMINATE VACANT OR UNDER-UTILIZED MULTI-STORY BUILDINGS, ESPECIALLY IN DOWNTOWN, TO:


  • Restore the aesthetically pleasing and historical splendor of our aging infrastructure
  • Enhance the revenue generating possibilities of all mixed-use buildings
  • Increase the traffic, viability and attractiveness of downtown or surrounding areas
  • Attract complementary and vertically integrated business ventures and possibilities
  • Increase the overall value of an area along with the adjacent properties
  • Reduce vagrancy and the backdrop for potential criminal activity

  

DEVELOP AND CREATE VARIOUS FOCAL POINTS ALONG THE RIVERFRONT TO:


  • Take advantage of St. Louis’ prime, unique and enviable riverfront location
  • Capitalize on the features, benefits and ambiance that only a waterway can provide
  • Establish riverfront attractions similar to San Antonio, Baltimore and Chicago offerings
  • Redevelop and restore Laclede’s Landing to its once desirable prominence
  • Create a docking station for riverboat and dinner cruises featuring live entertainment
  • Establish a Grafton-like “Loading Dock” to facilitate seasonal entertainment activities


ESTABLISH A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE/COST SCHEDULE FOR CURRENT & FUTURE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS


  • Document all pending/necessary road, bridge, street, sidewalk or surface repairs
  • Document all pending/necessary roof, tuckpoint, paint or other exterior building projects
  • Document all pending/necessary vehicle maintenance and retirement dates
  • Refer to each of these pending schedules whenever revenues exceed expectations

 

ESTABLISH A SYSTEM FOR CAPTURING FINANCIAL DETAILS TO FACILITATE AND ENHANCE TREND ANALYSES


  • Develop a fluent understanding of the relationship between an activity and anticipated tax revenues
  • Confirm, dissect the pros and cons of various types of convention activities and events
  • Ascertain the future impact of freezing senior real estate taxes, given an aging population

  

ESTABLISH A GOOD SYSTEM OF INTERNAL CONTROL, E.G., FINANCIAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES


  • To minimize the risk of financial statement error and fraud
  • To ensure proper segregation of duties in the recording and authorization of transactions
  • A requirement outlined in any external auditor’s “Management Representation Letter”  


Who We Are - Regional Highlights

A FEW REGIONAL AND LOCAL STRENGTHS, ASSETS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  

  • Missouri shares a border with 8 other states, tied only with Tennessee 
  • Missouri is an easily accessible state, situated near the middle of the country
  • Missouri is home to the American Bison, the biggest mammal in North America 
  • Missouri is the birthplace of internationally recognized authors and inventors 
  • St. Louis is strategically located at the confluence of the two largest rivers in the nation
  • St. Louis has the 3rd highest volume rail hub and the 3rd highest volume multimodal hub[1]
  • St. Louis has beautiful, historical 1800+ architecturally unique buildings and structures
  • St. Louis has birthed, cultivated or inspired numerous world-renowned musical artists
  • St. Louis’ athleticism is consistently on national display in basketball, football and baseball
  • St. Louis has groomed internationally recognized movie and television celebrities and talent
  • St. Louis is home to several premier medical, academic, educational institutions
  • St. Louis’ medical research community formed CORTEX, an emerging technology sector 
  • St. Louis is home to Twitter Founder and the CEO of Square 
  • St. Louis is home to World Wide Technology, the largest minority owned business in the U.S.
  • 35% of St. Louis adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared with 32% nationally[2]
  • St. Louis has the 11th lowest cost of living when compared against similar, peer regions [3]
  • Over 50% of STL’ entrepreneurs work in professional services, construction or health care [4]
  • St. Louis’ vibrant manufacturing sector is supported by a strong freight and logistic industry [5]


[1,2,3,4,5] Statistics compiled and provided by East-West Gateway Council of Governments, "Where We Stand 08 Revised 2019-01”


Sound Financial Management Practices

Here are some of the interrelated components that I’ve learned are consistent with sound financial management policies and practices:


  • Maximize the use of existing resources to ensure all operational expenses and obligations are being met
  • Explore the creation of economic development opportunities that can provide additional revenues 
  • Minimize debt and/or the percentage of current and future revenues that are required to pay off debt
  • Ensure contingency plans exist that enable an immediate and effective response to unexpected changes in revenues and/or expenditures
  • Invest in a well-functioning accounting system that can provide timely and accurate information on a regular and consistent basis
  • Establish a good system of internal controls, processes and procedures that minimize the risk of fraud and error, to ensure the integrity of financial details

BIO

Who is Celeste Metcalf?

As a native St. Louisan, my early childhood was spent in north St. Louis before my family eventually moved to the West End. I have always been an inquisitive soul that enjoys problem solving and taking on new challenges. I am not sure if that inquisitive nature influenced math to become my favorite subject in school or if it was the other way around. But it was certainly a love of numbers and number crunching that influenced my decision to become an accountant. 


Academically, I received a B.S. in Accounting from George Mason University, an MBA from Washington University, a CPA license from the State of Missouri and a certificate in Supply Chain Management from St. Lous University. This educational background provided me with a strong business foundation and also influenced my decision to start my own business, Precise Financial Management. 


During my pursuit of a degree in accounting, I was required to take business law to enable me to understand the elements that must be present to produce a legally enforceable contract. This knowledge was instrumental in helping to distinguish between recording an exchange transaction as revenue or as a liability.


My pursuit of my CPA certification required a designated number of hours working for an auditing firm. During the two years spent working for KPMG as an external auditor, I learned valuable, life-long lessons about auditing, effective business practices and the importance of business entities having well documented processes and procedures in place. 


My B.S. degree in business, my MBA degree in business, my entrepreneurial start-up business, Precise Financial Management, combined with various consulting and employment opportunities within for-profit, not-for-profit, entertainment, private business and government industries, have afforded me invaluable business and financial experiences over the last 35+ years. I am a pro-business executive that possesses a moral compass and I would relish the opportunity to do what is necessary to attract more business to St. Louis as the City’s Comptroller.

when the situation demands it!!!

Community Engagement

Serving The Community

Celeste Metcalf was the Co-Chair of this groundbreaking effort, 4 years in the making, to develop the first of its kind, neighborhood-led, economic development plan for the West End / Visitation Park neighborhoods. Members of the team that worked on the "weCollab Reinvestment Plan" were awarded a Resolution by the City of St. Louis (pictured on the first page of this site).


 Celeste Metcalf to oversee State’s ARRA - St. Louis American 

 

State hires new Equal Opportunity officer - St. Louis American


Join Us

Help Our Cause

Make checks payable to: 

Metcalf for Comptroller


Mail all check donations to:

Precise Financial Management

P.O. Box 56549

Saint Louis, MO 63156


To donate using the ActBlue Fundraising Platform, search for candidate Celeste Metcalf


Donate

Contact Us

Drop us a line!

Attach Files
Attachments (0)

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Celeste Metcalf | Candidate for City of St Louis Comptroller

Copyright © 2025 Celeste Metcalf | Candidate for City of St Louis Comptroller - All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • Overarching Objectives
  • Strategic Initiatives
  • Who We Are
  • Financial Management
  • BIO
  • Community Engagement
  • Help Our Cause
  • Contact Us

Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

DeclineAccept