Christmas has come early for Boone County taxing entities, like the Columbia Public Schools.

Boone County reached a resolution earlier this year with Ameren Missouri in a long-running dispute before the Missouri State Tax Commission. The agreement closed litigation over disputed property taxes owed by Ameren from 2019-24.

Funds have now been distributed to the county’s local taxing entities, including the school district, which leaves CPS considering how to use a one-time $9 million payment that it received from the County.

The settlement funds were distributed in the same manner as regular property tax payments.

No word on how much money other entities, such as Southern Boone and Centralia Schools, or the city of Columbia received from the settlement.

Columbia Public Schools officials have said it is still considering how to spend the money.