$2 million tax error in St. Louis County

CLAYTON, Mo. -- St. Louis County's Department of Revenue neglected to add a surcharge on tax bills for about 200,000 property owners, leading to a loss of about $2 million that will be recouped.

The oversight meant a $2 million loss in 2012 revenue for the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District.

County Revenue Director Eugene Leung said the assessment mistake slipped through the cracks because of replacement staff unfamiliar with the details of the formula that sets water and sewer tax obligations in multiple county jurisdictions.

The county also intends to recoup the fees in a surcharge attached to 2013 property tax bills.

MSD spokesman Lance LeComb says the oversight will have a minimum impact as long as the money's recouped.