Commissioners cancel budget workshops, announce new public hearing date

BLOOMFIELD — The Stoddard County commissioners unanimously agreed Monday to rescind a motion that allowed a public hearing concerning the 2025 Stoddard County proposed budget.

After rescinding the previously agreed-upon motion, all commissioners were in favor of a new motion to hold a public budget hearing at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, in the commissioners' chambers. The public is encouraged to attend.

As well as a hearing date change, it was learned the proposed budget workshops scheduled for Jan. 13-14 will not be required. The budget was completed and submitted for examination Jan. 9. After returning from a planned vacation, District II Associate Commissioner Wes Howard said, “Ya’ll put the gas pedal down when I was gone.”

“We got it on the counter Thursday,” said Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County clerk.

Copies of the 2025 budget are currently available for examination in the county clerk’s office on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We did not think we were going to be finished with the budget,” said Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis when asked about the canceled work sessions.

Mathis added, “We cannot pay bills until the budget is through. It gives us an extra day. It was strictly a thing on paying bills.”

The budget contains 48 funding streams generating $21,482,220 in revenue, and estimated expenses to be $22,944,457.