05/12/2025 - JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.
Even though Marble Hill
was named because of the mistaken assumption that the county seat of Bollinger
County was built on a hill composed of marble, State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says
there is no mistaking the importance of conducting a performance audit to
ensure the county government is operating efficiently and effectively.
Fitzpatrick announced a regularly-scheduled audit of the southeast Missouri
county officially began with an entrance meeting with county officials on Monday,
May 12.
"While Crooked
Creek runs between the county seat of Marble Hill and what was once Lutesville,
there is no reason to believe anything crooked is going on with the operation
of the county government. Our performance audit will allow us to take a close
look at the effectiveness of government operations in Bollinger County and, if
necessary, will give county officials a guide to more efficiently serve
taxpayers," said Auditor Fitzpatrick.
The Missouri
State Auditor's Office last conducted a performance audit of Bollinger County
in 2017. The audit recommended
better controls and procedures throughout county government after finding the
county failed to correct sales tax levies that exceed maximum rates specified
by the law, and noting the need for improvement in accounting practices within
the prosecuting attorney's office and sheriff's office. The report gave
the county a rating of "fair."
Individuals may provide information
confidentially for consideration during the audit of Bollinger 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.
