ST. LOUIS — A plan to rein in the embattled city sheriff advanced through committee this week at the Board of Aldermen, reversing the panel’s deadlock last month.

The bill, sponsored by Alderman Matt Devoti, of the Hill, is aimed at 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 would require the office to justify expenses to the city comptroller and produce monthly spending reports for aldermen.

City officials, including Mayor Cara Spencer, have said the refusals — a break from precedent under two previous sheriffs — have forced shorthanded jail staff to scramble to cover medical transports. Spending on ne

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