Ralls County tax extension on April ballot will not raise sales taxes, says Ralls County Commission

RALLS COUNTY, MO. – Ralls County voters will see a tax on the April 2 ballot to extend a countywide sales tax for one-half percent for 10 years. 

Ralls County Commissioners said it is not a new tax and it will not add cost to the amount of sales. Set to expire on March 31, 2025, the tax renewal will not change the amount of sales tax paid in Ralls County.

On the flip side, Ralls County Commissioner of the Eastern District Junior Muehring, said if the tax is not approved, it will cut the county’s annual budget by approximately $600,000. Muehring said cutting those dollars from the budget would hurt the county in more ways than one.

“If we lose that we’re going backwards because everything else is going up. So if we go half a million backwards, it’d be devastating,” Muehring said. “There would have to be some changes, for sure.”

The sales tax benefits Road and Bridge maintenance. The Road and Bridge Department employs 16 people and has six road graders to maintain nearly 460 miles of gravel roads, and all county bridges around Ralls County.

Muehring said the prices of gravel, road maintenance including winter road upkeep, and fuel continue to rise. He said keeping the sales tax at the price it is now, is important to keep running the way they need to.

“We can’t lose the number of graders we have–we need to at least maintain six,” he said.

Muehring, along with John Lake, presiding commissioner, and Brian Hodges, western district commissioner, said they have each received compliments on the county’s quick response to clearing wintery roads, and they hope to continue that kind of service to Ralls County residents.

“We appreciate people’s support over the years and hopefully we’ll continue to move Ralls County forward,” Muehring said.