Public comment stretched across two recent Ray County Commission meetings as standing room-only crowds pressed county leaders for answers about University of Missouri (MU) Extension funding and budget decisions. The turnout followed questions and public speculation surrounding the county’s 2026 budget process, with commissioners emphasizing no final funding decisions have been made and the discussion centers on reviewing budgets and statutory requirements rather than plans to eliminate Extension services. Commissioners emphasized the county is in the early stages of assembling its 2026 budget and is balancing rising costs across multiple departments. “We are just looking at some real budget issues this year,” explained Presiding Commissioner Shelia Tracy. “If everything you do is five-star, it’s still an issue for us for funding because we have a lot of things being handed down to us that we have no control over.” During the first meeting, commissioners addressed the large turnout…