Missouri State Auditor has concerns about Sullivan County public administrator, collector-treasurer offices

Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway
Share To Your Social Network

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has released an audit of Sullivan County, and the audit raised concerns across multiple county offices, including a lack of oversight in the public administrator’s office.

The public administrator is responsible for managing the finances of individuals who are unable to do so for themselves, serving as a court appointed guardian. The report describes concerns with a lack of documentation for payments made from ward bank accounts, and checkbooks that are not balanced against bank records to ensure accuracy.

“Public administrators are charged with providing important assistance to individuals who have no one else to turn to, and my audit found a lack of oversight that must be addressed immediately,” Auditor Galloway said, “The office must ensure all financial activity is appropriately documented to ensure accuracy and to provide peace of mind to individuals who are unable to manage their own finances.”

The audit also shows the circuit court does not provide adequate review of the public administrator’s case activity. The public administrator manages the financial activity of approximately 26 wards.

Other concerns were identified in the office of the county collector-treasurer, where a lack of oversight increases the potential for errors. The audit makes recommendations for corrective action including ensuring the county clerk or county commission review financial activities of the office.

The audit also shows the county commission violated the Sunshine Law by not keeping meeting minutes for two closed meeting sessions in 2015.

A complete copy of the audit of Sullivan County is available online here. The county received an overall performance rating of poor.


Share To Your Social Network

Related posts