YELLOW SHEET

Office of the State Auditor of Missouri
Claire McCaskill

 

August 3, 2001

Report No. 2001-59

IMPORTANT:The Missouri State Auditor is required by Missouri law to conduct audits only once every four years in counties, like Howard, which do not have a county auditor.However, to assist such counties in meeting federal audit requirements, the State Auditor will also perform a financial and compliance audit of various county operating funds every two years.This voluntary service to Missouri counties can only be provided when state auditing resources are available and does not interfere with the State Auditor�s constitutional responsibility of auditing state government. 

Once every four years, the State Auditor�s statutory audit will cover additional areas of county operations, as well as the elected county officials,as required by Missouri�s Constitution.��


This audit of Howard County was a financial and compliance audit of various county operating funds.The following concerns were noted: 

On May 15, 2001, the Missouri Supreme Court handed down an opinion that holds that all raises given pursuant to this statute section are unconstitutional.Based on the Supreme Court decision, the raises given to each of the Associate County Commissioners, totaling approximately $10,880 for the two years ended December 31, 2000, should be repaid. 

The audit also includes some matters related to personnel policies, computer issues, significant soda machine proceeds on hand, bridge project expenditures, general fixed assets, and the health department, upon which the county should consider and take appropriate corrective action.Several of these issues had been noted in prior audits.

Complete Audit Report


Missouri State Auditor's Office
moaudit@mail.auditor.state.mo.us
Webmaster: auditor@mail.auditor.state.mo.us