VIENNA — Maries County Sheriff Mark Morgan submitted a formal open records request seeking documents related to past sales tax measures that fund his office and county commission discussions about the sheriff’s budget to County Clerk Rhonda Rodgers.

The letter, dated Nov. 5 and copied to Prosecuting Attorney Tony Skouby, asks for full access to ballot language, election certifications and meeting minutes that could clarify how voter-approved sales tax revenues have been handled since their passage.

“As the duly elected Sheriff of Maries County, I have both the legal authority and fiduciary responsibility to understand the voter-approved funding mechanisms that support my office’s operations,” Morgan wrote.

Morgan’s request, made under Chapter 610 RSMo, seeks three categories of records, including the complete ballot language for all three sales tax measures that currently provide revenue to the Maries County Sheriff’s Office, along with proposition numbers, election dates and official titles. The second category covers official election certifications, vote tallies and the dates each sales tax measure took effect. The third requests commission meeting minutes or records showing any budget discussions or agreements between the Maries County Commission and retired Sheriff Chris Heitman that may affected sheriff’s office funding.

Morgan requested acknowledgment of his submission within three business days, along with an estimated timeline for when the records will be made available. He also reminded the clerk that if any records are withheld, the county must provide a written explanation citing the specific statute authorizing their closure under §610.023.3 RSMo.

Morgan asked to be advised if some records are maintained by other county offices such as the auditor or commission. He requested fees be waived or an estimate be provided before producing the documents.

“This information is essential to proper fiscal oversight and budget planning for the Sheriff’s Office,” Morgan wrote.

Missouri’s Sunshine Law, §610.026 allows public offices to charge for the actual cost of research and duplication when responding to records requests, including staff time and equipment use. In a written response, Rodgers acknowledged receipt and provided an estimated cost to process it. She estimated 22.5 hours of research and document scanning, covering 16 years of commission meeting minutes and election records.

At a rate of $26.10 per hour, the total estimated cost amounts to $587.25, though Rodgers noted that the figure is an estimate and could change once the records are compiled. She explained in her reply to Morgan that payment must be submitted before processing begins, but noted that her office is currently in the middle of sending out tax bills, among other duties.

The sheriff’s request comes amid ongoing discussions between county officials about budget allocations and the use of sales tax funds approved by voters to support law enforcement operations.