Lawrence County, Missouri

County news

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French drain installation to affect some courthouse entries

 

(Nov. 8, 2024) Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 12,  a contractor will be doing extensive dirt work around the Historic Courthouse that may temporarily affect access through some of the entries. A french drain is being installed around part of the Courthouse foundation and gutter discharge pipes are being extended. This will include digging around part of the foundation,  cutting out and replacing pieces of the concrete sidewalk, and trenching in the yard. The areas affected will be the east, south and west entrances.

 

Construction is expected to last two weeks. Final dirt work and landscaping could extend into the spring. During this time one or more entrances could be affected.

 

The north entrance (handicapped/elevator entry) should not be affected during this project.

 

Your patience is appreciated as we work toward eliminating moisture issues in the building. 

 

Riebe announces unofficial results in Lawrence County

 

Unofficial results for Lawrence County have been announced by County Clerk Tammy Riebe. A total of 18,598 votes were cast, representing 69.94 percent of registered voters in the county.

 

Over 4,100 ballots cast in early voting in Lawrence County

 

Lawrence County Clerk Tammy Riebe reported over 4,100 votes were cast during the early voting period in Lawrence County.

 

Senior Tax Freeze applications will be available in 2025

 

(Sept. 30, 2024) Lawrence County will be doing the Senior Tax Freeze. However, the application process will not take place until 2025.

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County commissioners have been working with their attorney to develop the ordinance, procedures and applications that will be used to implement the tax freeze in Lawrence County.

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Sign up for free property fraud notifications

 

(Sept. 25, 2024) Concerned about title theft? Lawrence County Recorder of Deeds Denise Massie invites people to sign up for a free notification if a deed is recorded in your name. Click here and follow the prompts.

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A recent "On Your Side" episode featured another way people are trying to make money off services that are already provided in the local recorder's office.

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Health department construction progresses

 

(Updated Nov. 13, 2024) Completion of the new Lawrence County Health Department on Missouri Drive has been pushed back to late January 2025. Esterly Schneider & Associates is the architect for the health department. Branco Enterprises is construction manager at risk.

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The $5.3 million construction cost includes the building, sitework and a 40x60 outbuilding that the county will share with emergency management. It will be located south of the new 911 center constructed by the Lawrence County Emergency Services Board, and the Law Enforcement Center currently under construction by the county. The county purchased the three-acre site from the City of Mt. Vernon for $1 in September 2021.

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The health department has occupied a 6,000-square-foot converted grocery store at 105 W. North St. since 1995. It previously was housed in less than a thousand square feet in the courthouse basement. It is operated with county general revenue and grants.

 

Notice of Use Tax

 

(Lawrence County Clerk Tammy Riebe, Sept. 20, 2021) Lawrence County, Missouri previously adopted a use tax, which is currently in effect. A use tax is the equivalent of a sales tax on purchases made from out-of-state vendors by in-state buyers and on certain taxable business transactions. The use tax rate for Lawrence County is currently 2.125 percent which is equal to the total local sales tax rate. Certain purchases from out-of-state vendors will become subject to an expansion of the use tax effective on January 1, 2023, as provided by state law.

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If any local sales tax is repealed or the rate is reduced or raised by voter approval, the local use tax rate shall also be deemed to be repealed, reduced, or raised by the same action.

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I, Tammy Riebe, County Clerk for Lawrence County, Missouri, do hereby certify that the foregoing is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, correct. Dated this 3rd day of September 2021.

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Census Bureau puts county's population at 38,001

 

The U.S. Census Bureau puts Lawrence County's 2020 population at 38,001, slightly below the 2010 figure of 38,634. However, another indicator suggests more people are living in Lawrence County than did in 2010. There has been a 1.4 percent increase in individual and household personal property assessment lists returned to the county assessor in the same time period.

 

The Census Bureau ranks Lawrence County as 31st in population in Missouri's listing of 114 counties and the City of St. Louis.

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Lawrence County experienced population drops in 1910, 1920, 1930, 1950 and 1960; but it recorded steady growth from 1960 through 2010.

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