Microsoft Excel and Word files are provided for Missouri third class counties to prepare 2025 budgets in accordance with Sections 50.525 to 50.745, RSMo. Click on the links below to save a copy to your computer. For 2025 budgets and beyond, the County Budget files will only be available for versions of Microsoft Office 2003 and later.
Section 50.740.4, RSMo, provides that the county clerk and state auditor may correspond by email for county budget documents required to be filed under section 50.740.2. Counties are not required to file a paper budget document with the state auditor if the budget files are emailed to the state auditor at countybudget@auditor.mo.gov. The state auditor will reply to the email message to confirm receipt of the budget document. This procedure is also applicable to budget amendments.
The budget appropriation order and certification documents requiring a signature may be completed by typing "/S/ official's name" in the signature block. Alternatively, documents signed by hand may be scanned and submitted by email in a pdf format. If the county is not submitting electronically, a paper copy of the document should be mailed though the postal service by certified mail to the state auditor. Paper budget documents filed with the county by external boards must also be forwarded to the state auditor either by email or certified mail.
General Budget Instructions
Recap of significant Revised Missouri Statutes and general budget preparation information.
Budget File Instructions
Instructions for working with the downloadable Excel and Word budget files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about working with the budget files.
Download the INSTALL file for all budget files. The INSTALL process creates a folder named 2025BUDGET on your computer C:\ hard drive and copies the budget files to the folder. Five shortcut icons will be placed on your Windows desktop for the budget files.
Download individual budget files. The files included in the INSTALL link above are listed below if you choose to download them individually. Click on the links below to save a copy to your computer.
County Budget
Excel file with worksheets for entering all budget financial information.
Budget Message
Word file for the County Clerk's message of important budget features.
Budget Certification and Comments
Word file for the County Clerk's official certification.
Department Forms
Excel file for county official's department budget request.
Generic Budget
For other officials and boards with funds held outside the county treasury.
Questions about downloading or working with the files should be sent to countybudget@auditor.mo.gov.
