02/27/2023 - Jefferson City, MO
Today, Auditor Scott
Fitzpatrick released a follow-up letter to local officials at the City of Cross
Timbers urging them to implement better financial oversight practices to ensure
accurate accounting of utility deposits and management of accounts.
A follow-up
report released last December revealed that more than half of the 31
recommendations outlined in the initial, citizen-initiated audit were only
partially implemented or not implemented at all. Even more concerning, while working with the
city to conduct the audit follow-up work, auditors identified deleted utility
transactions and numerous concerns related to the handling of customer utility
payments. As a result of additional work
related to these concerns and transactions, we are recommending several steps the city should take in a continued
effort to help the Board of Aldermen improve the financial oversight of the
city.
Today's letter
identifies four key areas where further investigation and enhanced oversight
from the Board of Aldermen are necessary: receipting, recording, and depositing
of utility payments; utility account adjustments and billing practices; proper
handling of delinquent utility accounts; and reconciliation of utility
deposits.
A copy of the
initial audit can be found here, and a copy of
the follow-up report here. The letter to city officials can be found here.
