01/31/2017
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway says a team of auditors is on-site in the Crawford County seat of Steelville, where a regularly scheduled audit of the county is underway. The county's most recent audit found incorrect property tax calculations. Due to the errors, the county collected more property taxes than allowed, amounting to an excess of $184,000 by the end of 2012. This was Crawford County's fourth audit in a row where property tax collections exceeded allowed amounts.
"Audit recommendations should be used as a roadmap to increase efficiency and improve government services. It's disappointing when audits reveal the same concerns year after year with no progress made by the government being audited, especially when there is clear evidence citizens are being overcharged on their property tax bills," Auditor Galloway said. "I have directed my staff to begin an independent review of the Crawford County government and will report back to citizens whether this issue has been addressed."
After the most recent audit in 2013, the county commission indicated it would take steps to correct the errors, including rolling back property taxes the following years. Auditors also found the county clerk failed to maintain an account book or other records summarizing property tax charges and the county collector did not document voided transactions. Neither the county clerk nor the commission reviewed the county collector's annual settlements for accuracy.
These and other issues will be reviewed during the course of the audit. Individuals with information for consideration in the Crawford County audit may contact the State Auditor's Whistleblower Hotline at moaudit@auditor.mo.gov or 800-347-8597.
