BELLE — Maries County officials have been presented with a proposed 2026 county budget totaling $6,578,025, reflecting a decrease from the prior fiscal year, according to the budget message submitted by County Clerk and Budget Officer Rhonda Rodgers on Jan. 29 to commissioners.

The budget was prepared in accordance with Missouri’s County Budget Law and outlines projected revenues, expenditures and financial conditions affecting county operations for the upcoming year.

The 2026 budget relies heavily on voter-approved sales taxes that continue to fund core county services, including roads, public safety and general operations.

Those taxes include a half-cent sales tax first approved in April 1990, which is divided evenly among road funding, general revenue and citizen safety. Also included is a half-cent sales tax approved in April 2002, which allocates one-sixth of revenue to general revenue, two-thirds to citizen safety and one-fifth to Road Districts 1 and 2, split 55/45. That tax was renewed by voters in 2016 and will appear again on the April 2026 ballot.

In addition, voters renewed one-third of a half-cent sales tax dedicated to law enforcement in April 2025. That measure includes a ten-year sunset provision.

According to the budget message, 2025 presented significant financial challenges for the county. Increased costs, combined with lawsuits and the possibility of additional litigation, placed pressure on most elected offices.

During that period, some county officials and employees personally purchased supplies and made operational cuts to help control expenses.

To offset revenue shortfalls, the county sold property that had been acquired in 2024 which was located across from the courthouse. The sale proceeds helped stabilize county finances during the year.

The county also experienced increased assessed property valuations following a mandate from the State Tax Commission. Despite those higher valuations, the budget message notes that the overall impact on general revenue and road district tax collections remained minimal.

Several large expenses affected the 2025 budget, including an elevator upgrade, jail repairs, computer system upgrades and the cost of an unexpected election that created a sales tax dedicated solely to 911 services.

Road District No. 1 faced delays related to the BRO Bridge project on Maries Road 213 over Fly Creek, though construction is expected to begin this year. Road District No. 2’s 2026 budget includes plans to purchase a new motor grader to support ongoing road maintenance.

To support the startup of county 911 operations, the budget includes a temporary transfer from general revenue to the 911 budget. That transfer will cover operational expenses through June 30, when the newly formed Maries County Emergency Services Board is scheduled to assume control on July 1 of all dispatching services.

The transfer will also cover payment of accumulated compensatory time earned over the past year.

While the county was able to maintain employee health insurance benefits in the 2026 budget, no salary increases were included. Elected officials also voted to decline a state-mandated assessed valuation bracket increase, citing the county’s current financial condition.

The proposed budget is expected to guide county spending decisions for the 2026 fiscal year as officials continue to address financial pressures while maintaining essential services.