ST. LOUIS — Aldermen on Friday passed a plan to rein in the embattled city sheriff by writing out expectations for his role and putting new limits on his spending.

The bill, sponsored by Alderman Matt Devoti, of the Hill, aims to address two issues: Sheriff Alfred Montgomery’s dozens of refusals to take city jail detainees to doctors when needed, and a string of controversial purchases.

It says the sheriff is obligated by state law to transport the detainees. And it would require his office to provide written explanations of all expenses to the city comptroller, and make monthly reports on the office's spending to aldermen.

City officials, including Mayor Cara Spencer, say the refusals — a break from practice under the past two previous sheriffs — have forced shorthanded jail staff to s

See Full Page