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McDonald County Commission prepares state-required April ballot question, cites unfunded mandate
Summary
At an emergency Jan. 23 meeting, the McDonald County Commission reviewed language drafted to comply with Missouri Senate Bill 3, which requires a property-tax limit question on the April 7, 2026 municipal ballot. Commissioners said the timing and lack of state funding create administrative and cost burdens for the county.
The McDonald County Commission met in an emergency session on Jan. 23, 2026, to review and record ballot language required by Missouri Senate Bill 3 for the April 7, 2026 municipal election and to discuss the administrative burden the requirement places on counties.
Commissioners said the county is not taking a position for or against the substance of the tax-limit question; their stated concern was the compressed timeline and absence of state funding to cover additional administrative and election costs. The minutes cite RSMo Section 610.020.4 as the legal authority for holding the special meeting.
Minutes from the session note that counties face overlapping state obligations: the SB 3 requirement to place property-tax limit language on the April ballot arrives while counties are already implementing SB 190, a senior tax credit program the minutes describe as also carrying unfunded costs. The minutes state that failure to place the required language would violate Missouri law and leave counties with no practical option but to comply.
The record shows that county legal counsel assisted commissioners in drafting an ordinance and the proposed ballot question. The minutes include the ballot question wording as recorded by staff: “ADOPTED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSION OF MCDONALD COUNTY, MISSOURI, THIS 26 DAY OF January 2026. Shall the County of McDonald exempt eligible taxpayers from certain tax increases on eligible taxpayers' primary residence above the liability incurred during the initial credit year? YES NO If you are in favor of the question, place an \"X\" in the box opposite \"YES\". If you are opposed to the question, place an \"X\" in the box opposite \"NO\".”
The minutes show the special meeting adjourned and note that the commission will reconvene on Jan. 26, 2026; the inclusion of the "ADOPTED... THIS 26 DAY OF January 2026" language in the draft appears to indicate the form and target adoption date but the minutes do not record a formal vote taken during the Jan. 23 session.
Next steps recorded in the minutes include use of the drafted language to remain compliant with the statutory requirement and reconvening on Jan. 26, 2026 to continue the matter.
