Commission

ADAIR COUNTY 2025

 “State of The County”

The Adair County Commission has approved the 2025 Budget which had been prepared by the County Commission.  The budget process is factored on the current economy and objectives of the Elected Officials.  Adair County has seen an increase in General Revenue Funds, Road and Bridge Funds, and Law Enforcement Funds. This also included monies from the ARPA funds.

The 2025 budget includes all the necessary funding for the county’s departments to provide quality customer service to the public.  It also includes Federal and State Grant Funds for multiple services.

The County Commission has budgeted the remainder of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. A 3% COLA (cost of living adjustment) was approved by the County Commission for all employees.  Elected Officials will also receive a 3% COLA to comply with the Salary Commission.  The County continues to fully fund the LAGERS pension plan, one half of the CERF pension plan, and the Prosecuting Attorney’s retirement plan.  In addition, Adair County offers a health insurance plan with a predetermined cost to all eligible full-time employees and Elected Officials based on their choice of coverages.

Adair County continues to collect a ¼ cent sales tax, passed by the voters in April 2021, that financed the restoration of the Historical Adair County Courthouse.  As of December 31, 2024, the balance of the outstanding loan is $6,121,279.00. The loan is scheduled to be paid in full on or before September 1, 2032.

Adair County would like to welcome newly elected and re-elected officials whose terms began on January 1, 2025.  Newly elected 2^nd District Commissioner, Gayla McHenry, Sheriff Jason D. Lene, Patrick E. Boren as Surveyor, as well as Second Circuit Judge, Matt Willson. Judge Wilson had originally been appointed in 2022 by Governor Mike Parson to fill the unexpired term of the Honorable Russell Steele upon his retirement. Re-elected officials include 1^st District Commissioner, Bill King; Public Administrator, Rhonda Noe; Coroner, Brian C Noe, and Assessor, Kent Bryant.

The budget law requires a detailed and precise compilation of the budget document. It is a very complex law. Our goal is to create a fiscal document to provide services to the citizens as well as visitors to Adair County. The Adair County Commission wants to thank the Elected Officials and staff for their efforts in compiling the 2025 budget.

Reminder: Fund 907 - Juvenile Justice Center, is not included in Adair County's main budget document. The budget for the Juvenile Justice Center is included separately at the beginning of the budget document. Adair, Lewis and Knox Counties contributes $134,200.00 “Maintenance of Effort” which is the obligation from the juvenile finance agreement. All other funds are a pass-through for the Second Judicial Circuit and Juvenile Justice Funds merely expend revenues deposited with the County Treasurer. These funds are not included in the operating budget of Adair County.

Some of the positive accomplishments of the County Commission in the past year are closing out of the FEMA Project 4741 in the amount of $800,000. This was a result of the Storms that we experienced in July-August of 2023 which dumped up to 12 inches of rain overnight.

Some improvements were the completion of 3 bridges.  Turkey Run Trail a BRO funded bridge, Missouri Trail, and Willmathsville School Way, which were built with ARPA monies. Other improvements were applying Maintenance Rock in the amount of 100 tons per mile on all Gravel roads. This action resulted in applying 3 times the aggregate than the County has in the past. All these improvements are in line with the Commissioners goals to provide better services to the citizens.

The Commission is looking forward to another great year in the County with the Farmers Market, NEMO Fair, Summer on the Square, Red Barn and many other Festivities planned for 2025.  Kirksville Winter Lights and Hometown Holidays made quite a show with the Decorations and festivities during the Holidays, which will be even better this year.

  The County Commission wants to encourage all to take the opportunity to enjoy our communities’ festivities this coming year and wishes all a great year.                                                        

Thank you for Attending,

Mark Shahan

Presiding Commissioner of Adair County