The Lafayette County Commission has been working to balance next year’s budget, with the county facing an estimated $1.7 million deficit due to lower than expected revenues and growing expenditures.

Northern Commissioner Monica Ritter says the county has utilized cash carry-over from other fund lines and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to help balance the budget in previous years. Ritter notes this year’s deficit was much higher than what was anticipated a year ago.

 

Ritter states that the rise in online shopping sales has led to a decrease in sales tax revenue for the county, contributing to the higher-than-expected deficit. Commissioners have frequently been meeting with county officeholders to work on cutting and consolidating the budget.

 

Ritter says the Commission hopes to have the budget out for review by the end of the week, with the goal of having it ready for approval in early January. She explains why it’s imperative for the budget to be balanced as soon as possible.

 

Ritter encourages anyone with questions about the budget to contact the Lafayette County Commission at the Courthouse at 660-259-4315.