Updated at 6:10 p.m. with statement from comment from Better Together spokesman.

DES PERES • If Better Together's proposal for a city-county merger is approved, Des Peres could take a huge financial hit, city officials said Monday night.

Although the city would be responsible for any outstanding debt it has, Des Peres would turn over about $12 million in annual sales tax revenue to the "metro city" that the merger would create, City Administrator Doug Harms said in a presentation at the Board of Aldermen meeting.

In addition, revenue from business licenses, building permits, inspections and the municipal court would also go to the pool, taking more than $14 million out of the city budget.

Harms estimates the city would be $8.7 million worse off than it is today.

“The net financial impact is significant on us,” he said.