State auditor issues ‘Poor’ rating to Montgomery County

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released an audit Wednesday, finding enough issues to give Montgomery County a “Poor” rating.

The report named multiple financial issues in Montgomery County. The audit found some capital improvement sales tax revenue had been spent “for purposes not allowable under state law.” The report also showed $250,000 in loans, acquired in 2013, have not been paid back. The county has also incorrectly calculated property tax reduction amounts, and issued sales taxes that exceed state limits.

In addition to financial issues, the audit also investigated multiple departments within the county’s government. The report found that the sheriff, the county assessor and the prosecuting attorney had not adequately delegated accounting duties. The sheriff’s office also failed to maintain proper records and spent money for the jail outside of the county’s budget.

The audit also found issues with the public administrator and electronic data security.