Dennis Gannon’s Final State of the County: Growth, Debt Reduction, and a Warning Against Division
Outgoing county executive points to seven years of projects, falling debt, and improved public safety while urging leaders to “just tell the truth”
Jefferson County Executive Dennis Gannon used his final State of the County address to argue Jefferson County is stronger than it was seven years ago, financially stable, safer, and positioned for growth. He also warned that division, anti-development sentiment, and short-term thinking could slow or derail progress if county leaders and residents do not stay focused on long-term outcomes.
Speaking at the Jefferson County Growth Association annual breakfast hosted by the Northwest R-I School District, Gannon thanked educators, county staff, first responders, and community partners. He framed his remarks as both a year-in-review and a look back across his tenure, emphasizing that the county’s progress “did not happen by accident” and crediting public employees and partnerships across local government.
Population and Economy
Gannon cited U.S. Census Bureau estimates placing Jefferson County’s population at 231,888, an increase of 2.3 percent since the 2020 census. He said nearly 18 percent of residents are age 65 and older, with about 5 percent under age 5. On employment, he reported the county’s unemployment rate at 3.5 percent at the end of last year, below the Missouri rate and the national average.
He noted a slowdown in residential construction activity. Jefferson County issued 487 new residential construction permits in 2025, down from 527 in 2024. Total residential construction value was cited at $162 million, down from roughly $179 million the prior year. Gannon used those figures to argue for what he called responsible, high-quality development, stating that growth expands the tax base and helps reduce financial pressure on existing residents.
Sales Tax Revenues and Public Safety
Gannon said the county’s major sales-tax-supported funds (Miller, Law Enforcement, and County Road) each finished slightly above $17 million, totaling roughly $51 million combined. He also pointed to 2025 sheriff’s department statistics showing major crime numbers down overall, including homicides down 42.9 percent, arson down about 67 percent, and burglary down 34.1 percent, while vehicle thefts increased 49 percent. He credited Sheriff Dave Marshak, Prosecuting Attorney Trish Stavanski, and the 23rd Judicial Circuit for results and referenced the opening of a new crime lab, saying it was already up and running.
Master Plan and the Development Debate
A central theme of the speech was the county’s newly completed Visualized Jefferson County Master Plan, which Gannon said will guide growth for the next 20 years. He argued that “new development pays the bills,” describing residential and commercial expansion as essential for supporting services and keeping costs lower for current residents.
Gannon also acknowledged that political tension has at times slowed progress. He criticized what he described as baseless hostilities, social media attacks, and verbal gamesmanship, urging leaders to prioritize collaboration and outcomes over division.
Roads, Parks, Recycling, and Emergency Preparedness
Gannon highlighted public works and infrastructure efforts, saying the Public Works Department completed $10.4 million in road projects in 2025 and had 22 projects under engineering design. He referenced safety improvements, stormwater permitting and compliance work, and thousands of work orders and service requests handled by county staff.
He also cited expanded recycling performance after the county secured $210,000 in grant funding, reporting 597 tons of recyclables collected in 2025 compared to 362 tons in 2024. In emergency management, he said the county began installing a warning system designed to activate automatically when the National Weather Service issues tornado or severe storm warnings, with manual activation also possible through emergency management and dispatch.
Port Authority Updates and Regional Growth
Gannon described renewed interest and activity around Rose Landing at the port’s Keenwood location, including bulk cargo operations, storage, and barge fleet activity. He noted a $150,000 grant tied to improving river search-and-rescue capabilities in partnership with the City of Herculaneum. He cautioned that the long-discussed container-on-vessel concept remains a vision dependent on major outside investment, and he emphasized that state leaders expect local match dollars for large economic development projects.
Opioid Task Force and County Modernization
Gannon said he signed an executive order creating an opioid task force to make recommendations on the use of opioid settlement funds. He also said the county is implementing new government software and customer service improvements, citing 46,027 calls for service handled by the Department of County Services in 2025.
A Seven-Year Case for Fiscal Discipline
Near the end of his remarks, Gannon made a central case for his administration. He said Jefferson County delivered major projects while maintaining balanced budgets and paying down long-term debt. He projected the 2026 budget would pay off the county’s last long-term debt issue, setting up what he described as a new chapter beginning in 2027 without long-term debt on the books.
A Closing Message to Leaders and Residents
With his retirement approaching, Gannon urged leaders to focus on integrity and candor, arguing that the simplest standard is to “just tell the truth.” He encouraged citizens to stay engaged and hold officials accountable, and he warned against decision-making driven by narrow interests rather than the whole county.
In closing, Gannon thanked county employees, elected officials, and residents for their trust, calling his service a great honor and privilege. He noted this would be the last time he delivers the State of the County report in that auditorium, and he expressed confidence that Jefferson County remains well positioned for the future if it continues to collaborate and pursue sustainable economic growth.