While the Police and Fire Departments are being asked to make cuts and do more with less, southside Alderman Shane Cohn (D-Ward 25) spends $22,000 on decorating fire hydrants to create a, "Neighborhood identity."

If the St. Louis Board of Aldermen can't manage themselves, how can they expect to properly manage the police department?

Pay freezes, pay cuts, furloughs, and reductions in benefits. Every one of St. Louis' city departments are feeling the pain of the budget crisis, but one expense is being spared. That's the cost of paying for 28 aldermen, some of whom are making nearly $40,000+ for the part-time job.

Alderman Quincy Troupe (D-First Ward) shares his opinion of police pensions at a meeting of the Board of Aldermen on December 4th, 2009.

SLPOA Vice President Joe Steiger speaks to FOX 2's John Pertzborn about the City Control.

With rising pension costs and declining tax revenue, City of St. Louis leaders must chop $45 million off the this years $453.9 million annual budget.  See what they are saying about the Police and Fire Department budgets.