ST. LOUIS, Missouri (First Alert 4) – Recently released documents show that Kitty Ratcliffe, the longtime head of St. Louis’ tourism department, received a year’s salary, a sizable bonus, a year’s worth of insurance and the title to a taxpayer car in exchange for her early retirement.
Ratcliffe announced her departure from Explore St. Louis in early July after facing increasing criticism, particularly regarding the construction and costs of modernizing the Convention Center.
Explore St. Louis is funded by taxpayers, markets St. Louis worldwide and operates the Convention Center as part of the St. Louis Convention and Visitor Commission.
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First Alert Four Investigates inquired about the terms of Ratcliffe’s departure through Missouri’s Sunshine Act on July 3. Explore St. Louis did not provide the agreement until Monday.
In the document, signed by Ratcliffe and the board chairman on July 1, Ratcliffe agreed to retire and not make any further financial claims against the organization.
In return, the St. Louis Convention and Visitor Commission agreed to pay Ratcliffe through the end of her contract, which would have run for another year. According to public records, Ratcliffe earned an annual salary of $396,000. In addition to an additional annual salary, the commission agreed to pay her an additional $128,000 as a performance bonus.
They also agreed to pay for their health insurance for another year.
And the agreement said Ratcliffe would receive the title to the commission car she had been driving, a Volvo. Neither the model and year nor its value were immediately known.
First Alert Four Investigates reached out to representatives of Explore St. Louis, who issued a statement: “In recognition of her nearly two decades of service, the Commission is honoring the terms of Kitty’s contract, which expires in June 2025. Searchwide Global, a global hospitality industry recruiter, has been retained to conduct the search for a new President in collaboration with the Commission and city and county stakeholders.”
They added that further details were not immediately available to them.
We couldn’t reach Ratcliffe immediately.
As part of the agreement, Ratcliffe waived any claims she might have against the commission. The agreement also stipulated that neither party would “disparage or disparage” the other.
This is a developing story. Check back later for new details.
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