JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says he must first receive permission from certain local governing bodies, or be petitioned by voters, before launching a formal audit.
But a measure that won initial approval in the Missouri House on Tuesday would allow the elected state auditor, a Republican, to audit municipalities, fire, ambulance and sewer districts, and counties with a county auditor, if an investigation reveals what the auditor believes is 鈥渋mproper governmental activity.鈥
If improper governmental activity is detected, the change would, for example, allow the state auditor to initiate a formal audit of 狐狸视频 County, which has its own auditor, without a request from the County Council or a citizen petition. (Former Auditor Nicole Galloway, a Democrat, following a 2019 council request.)
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Under the legislation, the investigation that would need to take place to begin an audit would be a probe 鈥渙f the political subdivision or governmental entity under鈥 , 鈥渙r its officers or employees.鈥
鈥淚mproper governmental activity鈥 revealed in the investigation would be defined as 鈥渙fficial misconduct, fraud, misappropriation, mismanagement, waste of resources, or a violation of state or federal law, rule, or regulation.鈥
An audit could also occur if requested by a prosecutor, circuit attorney or law enforcement agency.
During debate Tuesday, Democratic Rep. Paula Brown of Hazelwood voiced concern the legislation would allow the audit process to become 鈥渨eaponized.鈥
鈥淚 don鈥檛 necessarily view audits as a weapon. I view them as a transparency mechanism,鈥 said Rep. Phil Christofanelli, R-St. Peters, the bill sponsor. 鈥淚f there is an allegation of improper governmental activity, an audit can help clear the air, maybe in favor of the political subdivision.鈥
While local governments are on the hook for the cost of audits that they request, and for ones voters initiate, the auditor鈥檚 office would need to foot the bill for audits authorized in the measure.
The proposal goes on to allow for the exemption of 鈥渞ecords relating to reports of allegations of improper governmental activities鈥 to the auditor鈥檚 office from disclosure under the Sunshine Law.
The legislation is Hous