Miller County deemed ‘poor’ in state audit

Miller County’s performance was deemed “poor” following a state audit by State Auditor Tom Schweich.

The county didn’t drop the property tax levy to offset 50% of the sales tax funds, which resulted in an over collection of $453,793 in 2013.

The county clerk’s annual sales tax reduction numbers were incorrect, and the 2013 tax levy reductions were not reported correctly to Schweich’s office.

The county collector and his staff have unlimited access to all of the information in the tax property system and can make changes to tax records. They can also delete or void receipt transactions when they’re completed. Plus, county collector employees can’t create a report of voided transactions.

According to the report, the county clerk and county commission did not adequately review additions and abatements entered into the property tax system by the county collector.

Neither the county clerk or county commission keeps track of the county collector’s activities sufficiently.

Schweich determined property tax funds are not accounted for properly.