05/21/2025 - JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.
It has been nearly 150
years since "The Tax-payers' Association of
Scotland County" was formed to resist the efforts of the county to collect
a special "judgment tax," but State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said
today it remains just as important to keep a close eye on county government to
ensure it is operating within the confines of the law. Fitzpatrick announced his
office has started a regularly scheduled audit of Scotland County that
officially began with an entrance meeting with county officials on Wednesday, May
21.
"As a pilot I have
the utmost respect for the many accomplishments Scotland County has contributed
to the history of aviation from Marcellus McGary developing his airship to Lee
Briggs founding the Pheasant Aircraft Company. As State Auditor I respect the
importance of accountable government and the need to conduct audits that help
ensure county officials are acting in a way that is efficient, effective, and
transparent. With our audit we will take
a close look at governmental operations in Scotland County and, if necessary,
give them a flight plan that will hopefully keep waste, fraud, and abuse out of
their flight path," said Auditor Fitzpatrick.
The Missouri
State Auditor's Office last conducted a performance audit of Scotland County in
2017. The audit provided
the county with an overall rating of "good" while finding the
Sheriff's office did not perform a documented physical inventory of seized
property and did not adequately record the disposition of seized property, and
the county needed to improve electronic data security.
Individuals may provide information confidentially for consideration
during the audit of Scotland County to the State Auditor's Whistleblower
Hotline at 800-347-8597, by email at moaudit@auditor.mo.gov or by visiting www.auditor.mo.gov/hotline.
