State’s online financial reporting tool adds local government data

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Treasurer's office announced Tuesday an expansion of the Show-Me Checkbook, an online financial transparency portal, to include data from local governments.

As of Wednesday morning, information from six local governments was available on the website, including Cass, Clay, Cole, Jasper and Newton counties and St. Louis City. Information from another 16 county government is listed is listed as "in progress" on the site.

“With record numbers of Missourians quarantining at home, now is the perfect time to go online and see how counties are using our tax dollars," Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick said in a news release. "I am grateful to the government entities that have agreed to provide their data for this portal and look forward to continuing to grow and expand the Show-Me Checkbook as we strive to increase transparency, provide more accountability, and build trust in communities.”

Data from the first six local governments include information about more than $921 million in 2019 expenditures.

Visitors can examine the information on funds, departments, vendors, payment descriptions and totals for the available governments.