12/11/2018
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo (December 11, 2018) State Auditor Nicole Galloway today announced the release of reports providing a status update from city officials on how departments within the City of St. Louis have addressed findings from the last comprehensive audit of the city. These reports include responses from the Board of Aldermen, Office of Treasurer, Department of Streets, Office of the Sheriff, Department of Health, and the Department of Public Safety as to their progress on the findings. The responses by city officials will be reviewed by audit staff during ongoing audit work.
The Board of Aldermen is the City of St. Louis' legislative body and is responsible for drafting, passing and amending local laws, as well as approving the city budget each year. The report indicated that of 10 findings, three were implemented, three were partially implemented, three were not implemented and one was no longer applicable. These responses will be verified during an upcoming audit of the Board of Aldermen.
The Office of the Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the city's banking systems and parking services. The follow-up report indicated that 13 of the 20 findings from the audit released in 2008 were implemented. One was partially implemented, one was no longer applicable and the remaining findings were in progress. These responses will be verified during an upcoming audit of the Office of the Treasurer.
The Department of Streets maintains the streets, refuse, traffic and towing divisions of the city, and is responsible for issuing permits. The follow-up report indicated that 25 of 33 findings from the audit released in 2009 have been implemented. Other findings were partially implemented or in progress. The responses will be verified during an upcoming audit of the Department of Streets.
The Office of the Sheriff is responsible for the security of the courtrooms of the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court. The office also serves court papers and eviction notices. The follow-up report indicated that 13 of the 17 findings from the audit released in 2010 have been implemented. Two findings are in progress, one has been partially implemented, and one is not implemented. The responses will be verified in an upcoming audit of the Office of the Sheriff.
The Department of Health is responsible for the maintaining the health and safety of the community in the City of St. Louis. The follow-up report indicated that 8 of the 14 findings from the audit released in 2009 have been implemented. One finding has been partially implemented, and one was not implemented. The responses will be verified in an upcoming audit of the Department of Health.
The report on the Department of Public Safety includes the Fire Department, the Metropolitan Police Department, a correctional institution and the city jail, as well as several other divisions and bureaus. The report also includes the Building Division, which enforces City code, conducts inspections and demolishes vacant buildings.
The follow-up report on the Department of Public Safety includes a status update on findings from several 2009 reports. Included are the findings of the prior audit of the Metropolitan Police Department before it came under city control and part of the Department of Public Safety. The report indicated that multiple findings have been implemented, including those to improve oversight of seized prisoner property, accounting procedures, expenditures and correct vehicle usage.
The follow-up report indicated that 45 of 61 findings from previous audits of the Department of Public Safety have been implemented. The responses will be verified in an upcoming audit of the Department of Public Safety.
These reports represent the last of 21 initial reports, which will provide a status update by city departments and officials on whether the concerns raised by the last comprehensive audit, completed in 2010, were addressed. The six follow-up reports include descriptions of how 155 findings were addressed since the previous audits were released. This brings the total number of implemented findings to 231 since the release of the status reports began. All of the recently released status update reports are available here.
In late January, Auditor Galloway accepted the request by the Board of Aldermen to complete a comprehensive, independent audit of the City of St. Louis. Auditor Galloway said her office is approaching the review as a citizen-initiated audit and has pledged to engage citizens in the process. She has established a web page,auditor.mo.gov/STLAudit, to answer questions and receive information and concerns from citizens.
Citizens can provide information for consideration by contacting the State Auditor's Whistleblower Hotline at moaudit@auditor.mo.gov or by calling 800-347-8597. Concerns may also be submitted anonymously online at auditor.mo.gov/hotline.
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