January 9th, 2026 Local News
Jefferson City, Mo. (KFMO) - St. Francois County officials recently approved a 2026 budget totaling nearly $46 million.
While the county budget moves forward, state financial experts are raising concerns about Missouri’s overall fiscal health. County Auditor Louie Seiberlich highlighted a recent warning from Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, who is urging lawmakers to address a growing trend of deficit spending.
Fitzpatrick cautions that without action, the state’s General Revenue Fund could be critically low, forcing drastic emergency budget cuts.
According to a new report from Fitzpatrick, Missouri’s General Revenue Fund, which reached nearly $6 billion at the end of Fiscal Year 2023, has been rapidly depleted over the past two years. If current spending trends continue, the fund could be exhausted by Fiscal Year 2028 under the current Consensus Revenue Estimate, or by Fiscal Year 2027 if economic conditions worsen.
Fitzpatrick’s report serves as a call for lawmakers to take immediate steps to stabilize Missouri’s finances and prevent a potential budget crisis in the coming years.