Missouri Western board approves FY2026 budget, tuition schedule and new banking contract

The board of governors of Missouri Western State University on the record approved four financial items Friday: the March 2025 financial report, the university’s fiscal‑year 2026 tuition and fees schedule, the FY2026 budget and RFP26‑002 awarding primary banking services.

Governors moved and seconded each recommendation after the finance, personnel and operations committee presented its findings. Daniel Holt, the university’s vice president for administration and finance, had summarized the three‑quarter financial picture before the votes, saying tuition and fees recognized to date totaled $29,747,918 (about 94.4% of the revised budget) with summer term revenue still pending and operating revenues near $42.3 million. He also told the board that salaries were running at roughly 71% of budget ($19,737,365) but would align with projections once a faculty contract payment scheduled in July is recorded. Holt flagged rising fringe‑benefit expenses — driven largely by higher health‑insurance premiums this year — as a continuing pressure on the budget.

Each recommendation was called for voice vote after a motion and second. The chair announced that the motions carried; no roll‑call tallies or individual vote records were given on the record. The items approved were: (1) acceptance of the March 2025 financial report as presented; (2) adoption of the FY2026 tuition and fees schedule; (3) approval of the FY2026 university budget as presented; and (4) authorization of RFP26‑002 to change the university’s primary depository to Commerce Bank.

Board members did not request further amendments or extended debate during the public session. The board’s next regular meeting was announced for June 26, 2025, and the meeting recessed later for a closed session under Missouri law.