The Historic Courthouse is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays, except for holidays. You may contact the following offices at these numbers:
HEALTH DEPT. - Call 417-466-2201 or visit web site.
COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE - Call 417-466-2638 or visit web site.
COLLECTOR'S OFFICE - Call 417-466-2410. Receipts and statements are available on the web site, www.lawrencecountycollector.com You can now pay by phone: 1-800-652-0405
RECORDER'S OFFICE - 417-466-2670 or visit web site.
ASSESSOR'S OFFICE - Call 417-466-2831, fax 417-466-3931 or e-mail lcmoassessor@sofnet.com. You can now file assessment lists online: www.lawrencecountymoassessor.com
COUNTY COMMISSION - Call or leave message at 417-466-3666.
MT. VERNON LICENSE OFFICE - Call 417-466-4087.
UNIVERSITY EXTENSION OFFICE - Call 417-466-3102.
TREASURER'S OFFICE - Call 417-466-2662.
PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE - Call 417-466-2846.
Calendar
May 8
May 26
May 27
County offices closed for Truman Day
County offices closed for Memorial Day
Stotts City Runoff Election at Historic Courthouse
June 1
Deadline for annual Senior Citizen Tax Credit applications
County news
Center Creek bridge on Lawrence 1030 closed
(Lawrence County Commission, April 21, 2025) A Lawrence County bridge over Center Creek on Lawrence 1030 has been closed and won’t reopen until repairs - or replacement - can be completed.
Western County Commissioner Chris Prater said the action followed a state inspection in which the bridge, #3980005, was issued a Critical Inspection Finding due to severe undermining of the abutments and other concerns.
“In the interest of public safety, the bridge should be closed as soon as possible,” the notice from MoDOT said.
Prater said signs closing the bridge were posted April 21, and barricades would be in place this week.
The Lawrence County Commission visited the site Monday to see the condition firsthand. Weekend flooding appeared to have exacerbated the situation, Prater said.
The bridge is located in the western part of the county in Common II Road District.
Stotts City runoff election to be held May 27
(Lawrence County Clerk, April 21, 2025) A runoff election for Stotts City Alderman and Collector will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in the Historic Courthouse in Mt. Vernon.
In Person No Excuse Absentee Ballots for the Stotts City Runoff Election will be available on May 13, 2025, until May 23, 2025, in the County Clerk's office during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays (closed holidays).
Anyone who was eligible to vote in the Stotts City Election on April 8, 2025, will be eligible to vote in the runoff election. Eligible voters must have been registered by March 12, 2025.
The election will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the County Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square, Mt. Vernon, in the second floor historic courtroom.
Official election results for the April 2025 election
Lawrence County Clerk Tammy Riebe has released official results of the April 2025 election.
Sr. Citizens Tax Credit applications available; due by June 1
(Rev. April 15, 2025) Lawrence County property owners age 62 and older may now apply for the Senior Citizens Tax Credit. Deadline for the annual applications is June 1, 2025.
Application forms may be downloaded here or picked up at the county collector's office on the main floor of the Historic Lawrence County Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square, Mt. Vernon. Completed forms must be notarized before turning them in at the collector's office. (Notary service is not available at the collector's office. Applicants should check with their banks, attorneys or other notary sources.)
Office hours at the collector's office are 8 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed holidays).
The Senior Citizens Tax Credit applies only to the taxpayer's primary residence. It will appear as a credit on the qualified taxpayer's property tax statement. People must reapply each year.
Health dept now open in new quarters on Missouri Drive
(March 10, 2025) Lawrence County Health Dept. is now open in its new quarters at 1549 Missouri Drive in Mt. Vernon. Its first day of business there was March 4. Open house and ribbon-cutting were held March 10.
The facility was constructed south of I-44, just south of the Lawrence County Law Enforcement Center and 911. You can reach it via the south outer road.
County adopts updated health ordinances
(Nov. 27, 2024) Lawrence County Commission has adopted updated health ordinances. pertaining to wastewater treatment systems and food establishments..
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lawrence County experienced population drops in 1910, 1920, 1930, 1950 and 1960; but it recorded steady growth from 1960 through 2010.
Newly elected and re-elected officeholders were sworn in Dec. 31, 2024. They included (from left) Surveyor Aaron Austin, Sheriff Brad DeLay, Assessor Doug Bowerman, Coroner Scott Lakin, Public Administrator Teresa Pace, Eastern Commissioner Brad Smith and Western Commissioner Chris Prater.
Outgoing county commissioners Tim Selvey (left) and David Botts were honored with a retirement reception Dec. 30, 2024. Botts served 12 years as western commissioner. Selvey served 8 years as eastern commissioner.
A Holiday Central angel tree can be found in the foyer of the Historic Courthouse. People can adopt an angel tag and return the purchased items and tag to the courthouse no later than Monday, Dec. 2, 2019.
Newly elected and re-elected officeholders were sworn in Dec. 31, 2024. They included (from left) Surveyor Aaron Austin, Sheriff Brad DeLay, Assessor Doug Bowerman, Coroner Scott Lakin, Public Administrator Teresa Pace, Eastern Commissioner Brad Smith and Western Commissioner Chris Prater.