McDonald County Commission adopts 2026 budget, signs off on accounts payable

The McDonald County Commission approved the county's 2026 budget and recorded approval of accounts payable during its Jan. 28, 2026 meeting.

Eastern Commissioner Jamey Cope moved to open the budget hearing at 10:08 a.m.; Western Commissioner Rick Lett seconded and the vote was recorded as unanimous. County Clerk Jessica Cole then read her Budget Message to the commissioners and those in attendance. Presiding Commissioner Bryan Hall opened the floor for questions and later made a motion to accept the 2026 McDonald County budget as presented by Clerk Cole. At 10:50 a.m., Commissioner Rick Lett moved to accept the 2026 fiscal-year budget; Commissioner Jamey Cope seconded. The minutes record "All in favor," and the budget hearing was closed with the budget approved.

The minutes also record that the commission "signed and approved accounts payable in the amount $690,796.44." Earlier in the same entry the document lists the figure "$663,548.68" without explanation; the minutes do not specify whether the two numbers refer to separate batches of bills, a running balance, or a correction. The clerk's minutes list those figures but do not include further detail on the composition of the accounts payable.

Those listed as present in the minutes were Presiding Commissioner Bryan Hall, Eastern Commissioner Jamey Cope, Western Commissioner Rick Lett and County Clerk Jessica Cole. The minutes name attendees Lasandra McKeever, Luap McKeever, Joel Clark, Cecil Henson and Mark Bartley, and note reporter Gloria Reitz of the McDonald County Press was in attendance. The commission recorded it would reconvene on Feb. 2, 2026.

The minutes do not record individual roll-call votes by name; they record the motions and note the votes were unanimous and "All in favor." No amendments or substantive challenges to the budget were recorded in the minutes.