By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt's inauguration came in under budget by about $11,000.
Last month's event cost $249,000 and was funded through private donations.
The Republican governor says organizers watched costs closely.
"When we began the inaugural process we wanted to demonstrate frugality, which I believe is a value of the people of the state, and the inauguration held was done at a fourth of the cost of the most recent inauguration," Blunt said.
Former Governor Bob Holden drew criticism for holding an inauguration that cost more than a million dollars.
Governor Blunt announced the inauguration's final cost Tuesday at Trautwein Elementary School in south St. Louis County.
The $11,000 dollars will go to the school's fundraising efforts for tsunami victims.