Sales tax to Barry County cities and the county government showed broad gains in June, logging every recipient except Purdy at higher numbers halfway through 2025.

The exception in the mix remains Washburn, where the State Auditor’s freeze on funds remains in place. According to Clerk Kimmie Stribling, the city finally received a declaration in writing stating that due to the city’s failure to file a profit-and-loss statement and balance sheet for 2024, funds were suspended last month.

The letter indicates state statutes call for a $50-a-day penalty, though Stribling still does not know when the penalty went into effect or how much the fine totals. As of this writing, city officials had not intervened in the situation and contacted State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick directly to sort out the situation. Stribling remained hopeful sales tax disbursements would resume soon.

Last June Washburn’s three sales taxes generated $7,814.42, about five months’ worth of daily penalties.

Cassville set the tone for the general sales tax landscape, as its 1% sales tax paying general bills generated $120,100.89, up $2,005.06 from last June. That broke a three-month slump by almost enough to make up the red ink in May. Cassville’s general fund has received $677,763.05 so far this year, up 1% from last year’s pace.

The city’s use tax has brought in an additional $178,007.01, up 10% from a year ago.

Monett continues to be the sales tax generating powerhouse for the county. Its two sales taxes totaling 1% for its general fund produced $214,651.66, up $11,880.79, or nearly 6%, from last June. With the fourth increase in six months, Monett’s general fund has received $1,228,349.38 this year, up 3% from a year ago. Monett’s use tax has raised an additional $477,123.05, up 9% from last year’s pace.

Seligman’s general fund 1% tax yielded $13,170.69, up $2,342.63 from last June. That brought the mid-year sum to $74,254.87, up 8% from a year ago. In addition, Seligman’s use tax has raised $38,282.46, up a whopping 35%.

Wheaton’s 1% sales tax had its fourth consecutive monthly gain, bringing in $6,335.27, up $2,009.40, or 46%, over last June. For the year, Wheaton’s general fund has received $36,296.21, up 21% over 2024. The city’s half-cent transportation tax, bringing in 44% of the 1% tax, is up 29% compared to a year ago.

Exeter’s 1% tax paying general bills received $2,980.03, up $215.79, the third gain in six months. That brought the 2025 total to $16,903.40, up 4% over the 2024 midyear mark.

Purdy’s 1% tax added $6,186.84 to pay general bills, down $1,663.16 for the fifth drop in six months. That gave Purdy its lowest mid-year general fund total since 2018 at $28,473.43, down 23% from a year ago.

The strong municipal showing boosted collections on countywide taxes.

Barry County’s two older half-percent taxes for general bills and road maintenance generated more than $254,585 each, a gain of more than $21,809 or 9%. The county’s two sales taxes supporting its general fund at .625% brought in $1,697,261.19 in the first half of the year, up more than $25,500 or 1% from 2024’s pace.

The separate .375% tax supporting 911 and central dispatching produced $190,936.05 for the month, up $16,356.79 from a year ago, the fourth gain in six months. That put the mid-year total at $1,018,342.87, up 1.5% or more than $15,000 from last year.