VIENNA — Several phone companies are still collecting the outdated 15-percent tax on landlines, according to Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman during the July 17 commission meeting.

Because voters approved the creation of the Maries County Emergency Services Board and a 1-percent sales tax, Revised State Statute 190.335 says that the new tax replaces the landline tax. The new tax was approved in November 2025, and on May 1, 2026, the new tax became effective.

Treasurer Angie Pasley has been contacting the companies with the goal to no longer receive communication from them. She said that she received 16 invoices, and that many were from companies that acknowledged the request to stop collections.

While many of the invoices didn’t have any taxes collected, Pasley is concerned that it could be collected if a new customer signs up. Pasley also said that her contact is discussing with her team about halting further collections.

Pasley named Melissa Dvorak from Compliance Solutions as one of her contacts, who handles disbursement for six phone companies.

Stratman said that despite reaching out to companies, Pasley hasn’t received responses from some of them. Prosecuting Attorney Anthony (Tony) Skouby agreed to write a letter to the phone companies, referencing the statute.