Webster County will begin accepting applications for the senior citizens’ tax credit program on Friday, May 1 through Tuesday, June 30.  To be eligible, taxpayers need to be at least 62 years old (prior to January 1, 2026).

The tax credit applies to residential real estate taxes on the eligible taxpayer’s primary residence.  The intent of the credit is to limit future increases in residential real estate taxes – described generally as a ‘freeze’ – to 2026 (or ‘base year’) levels.

There are some exceptions, including: a) tax levies guaranteed by the state constitution (the state blind fund; and any general obligation bonds); and b) voter-approved tax levy increases adopted after 2026 (or base year).

Applications can be submitted in-person at the County Clerk’s office (Courthouse, 101 S. Crittenden St., Rm. 12, Marshfield).  Applicants should bring: 1) driver’s license or other I.D.; 2) voter registration card or other proof of residency (such as a utility bill); and 3) their paid 2025 real estate tax receipt.

It is important to clarify that the program is not a tax exemption, but merely a ‘freeze’.  Eligible taxpayers whose applications are approved will receive a ‘normal’ tax bill in 2026 that will become the basis for 2027 and future real estate taxes.  Therefore, the impact of the program will be modest in the short term, but grow in value over a period of time.  It is also important to state that the program does not apply to personal property taxes paid on vehicles, etc.

The State law authorizing the tax credit is relatively new, and many of the details are still being worked out.  It is anticipated that eligible taxpayers will need to apply each year. There is a auto-renewal process being tested this year. Those who are eligible for auto-renewal should receive a postcard indicating they are approved by the end of April.  Everyone’s patience as we work through this process is appreciated.

2026 Fillable Application

For more information, feel free to contact the County Clerk’s office at 417-859-VOTE (8683).

The Webster County Commission has heard from many residents regarding concerns about data centers, including requests for regulation, proposed ordinances, and a possible moratorium.

We appreciate the time and effort citizens have put into sharing their concerns and ideas. The Commission takes these issues seriously. At the same time, the County must act within the authority granted to it by Missouri law. Because Webster County does not currently have planning and zoning, the Commission’s authority to regulate land use and development may be more limited than some of the proposals assume.

Based on the information reviewed to date, the proposed ordinances, as presented, raise significant questions about the scope of the County’s legal authority. That does not mean the concerns raised by residents are being ignored. It means the Commission must be careful to respond in a way that is lawful, enforceable, and defensible.

The County is committed to continuing to evaluate what provisions may be available to address citizen concerns while staying within the boundaries of the law.

We are grateful for the public’s continued engagement on this issue and will continue to listen as this process moves forward.

The Webster County Commission would like to offer the public an update of actions taken since the public meeting held on Monday, May 11th at the Marshfield High School Auditorium.

The Commission has contacted a number of federal and state regulatory agencies to ensure procedures are being followed, and to educate themselves further about the potential impacts stemming from the current project on Rifle Range Road. Representatives of federal elected officials have also been contacted for assistance.

In addition, the Commission has contacted other counties to learn of their experiences. For example, they plan to travel to McDonald County on Monday, May 18th to see a data center there.

Furthermore, the Commission is exploring the possibility of retaining outside litigation counsel to research the legality of adopting a moratorium on future data center development projects in the unincorporated areas of Webster County. The legal basis for the moratorium being considered could be the authority that might exist to control noise pollution under Section 49.950(3), dealing with nuisance abatement.

The Commission does not intend to attend or participate in either of the ‘town hall’ political rallies scheduled by candidates for State office on May 19th in Marshfield or May 27th in Fordland.

The Commission will continue to conduct business during their regular office hours on Monday and Tuesday mornings – and will dedicate specific times for public comment on the subject during those times. Factual public information that we receive along the way will be shared as we receive it.

The Webster County Commission will hold its regular session from 8 am to noon on Monday, May 11. Due to the increase in expected attendance, the 10 am meeting requested by Katherine Wiltse to discuss Data Centers will take place at the Carl and Glessie Young Community Auditorium located in the Marshfield High School, at 370 State Highway DD, Marshfield.

Again, the normal meeting of the County Commission on Monday, May 11th will begin in the Commission Room of the County Courthouse as usual.  The portion (10am-Noon) dealing with data centers is being moved to the high school auditorium.

Thank you.

Recently, our community learned through a social media post of a data center to be located outside the city limits of Marshfield on Rifle Range Road.  Since that time, a significant number of people from inside the community and out have expressed concern about the potential environmental and other impacts that might arise from a large hyper-scale data center.

Initially, the Webster County Commission was unaware of the development.  Since that time, the Commission has reached out to the developer – who has been very open and forthright in sharing information about the project.

The information provided describes the project as a “small-scale high-performance computing facility”.  It will be situated on a five-acre site.  The building dimensions are roughly 70×200.

It will be cooled by a closed-loop system, with water usage estimated at a few hundred gallons a month.  Water will be supplied by a standard residential-style well, with an approximate depth of 500ft and capacity of 20 gallons per minute.  There will be no chemical discharge, and no hazardous materials released.  Likewise, there will be no air pollution or emissions.  The project described will have a lesser environmental impact that many standard commercial facilities or residential subdivisions.

One additional concern is noise.  The developer has given assurances that the noise will be comparable to standard commercial HVAC equipment.  There will be additional measures to mitigate the potential of off-site noise through the construction of an earthen berm around the facility and strategic equipment placement and buffering.

In short, this particular development does not appear to be one of the massive, resource-consuming hyperscale data centers that have been built elsewhere in the country.

The developer has not asked for any tax abatement or economic development incentives.

The County Commission is appreciative of the concerns brought forward, and will continue to share factual information as best it can.

Click here for Unofficial Results from the April 7, 2026, General Municipal Election.

Click here to view a PDF of the complete sample ballot. Please note that only the issues relevant to your residential address will appear on your ballot at the polls.

Attention Webster County residents — please be advised that Bell Ford Road will be closed intermittently at the bridge crossing the James River beginning Monday, November 10, through Monday, December 1.

These temporary closures are necessary to allow for scheduled maintenance work on the bridge. We encourage all travelers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time to accommodate potential delays.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to keep our county’s roads and bridges safe!

#WebsterCounty #RoadWork #BridgeMaintenance #TrafficUpdate

Webster County – Those interested in the Webster County Route Y Bridge Replacement Project over the Niangua River between Lake between St. Luke Road and Willow Lane in Conway are invited to a public meeting to discuss proposed improvements and project information on Tuesday, September 9, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

The come-and-go meeting will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 9, at Saint Luke’s United Methodist Church, 1164 Long Hwy Y, Conway. No formal presentation is planned. Those who attend may come anytime between 4:30 and 6 p.m. to learn about the project and ask questions.

Those unable to attend the in-person meeting can view exhibits and get project information by visiting www.modot.org/southwest. Comments on this project can be mailed in, emailed, or submitted online through the project website until Tuesday, September 23^rd.

MoDOT is committed to providing access to this event for all participants. If you need a reasonable accommodation or translation services, please contact Southwest District Communications at 417.895.7600 by September 3. For those unable to access the online meeting, contact MoDOT’s Southwest District Office, and accommodations will be made to share the information and gather feedback.

Project highlights:

• Provide an improved crossing of Route Y across the Niangua River in Webster County between St. Luke Road and Willow Lane
• The new bridge structure will:
  • Decrease frequency of roadway overtopping events
  • Improve hydraulic conveyance through the new structure
  • Decrease the buildup of debris and drift, reducing future maintenance
• The previous culvert was removed after it sustained damage from flash flood conditions that occurred in early June 2025

Traffic impacts during construction:

• Route Y CLOSED to through traffic at Webster County Route W and Route WW
• Local residents will have access to their property on either side of the closure; however will not be able to drive across the Niangua River
• Detour Routes: Webster County Route W and Route M

Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2026.

For more information, call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or visit www.modot.org/southwest

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