Moniteau County to consider tax hike in 2020

Back-to-back years of expenses outpacing revenue has put Moniteau County in a position where a tax increase may be needed, county officials were told Friday.

At a quarterly meeting of county officials, Presiding Commissioner Mac Finley said this is the second consecutive year the county has deficit spent.

Finley said the current budget will not allow for transfers on cash reserves unless it's "absolutely an unforeseen circumstance."

"The issue is in the general revenue portion," he said. "That's where we're running out. We're going to have to do something about getting more revenue. We may have to go to the voters on that at some point."

The county likely will need to raise additional revenues soon and will have to ask the taxpayers for permission to do so, Finley said.

"However, it will be at least April 2020, and possibly November 2020 before we can put anything on the ballot," he said.

"None of us on the commission wishes to raise taxes," Finley said. "But a combination of unfunded state mandates and inflationary pressures are forcing the decision."