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Auditor Galloway releases audit of Missouri Department of Conservation

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (Nov. 13, 2015) Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has released an audit of the Missouri Department of Conservation. The audit, which received a performance rating of “good,” noted concerns with how the department manages some of its financial resources.

“Missouri’s outdoor heritage is a point of pride for our state and its citizens,” Auditor Galloway said. “While the Missouri Department of Conservation works to protect these precious resources, there are internal policies and practices that could be improved to ensure that the department is using its funding as effectively and efficiently as possible.”

Among the audit’s findings, auditors noted the Missouri Department of Conservation does not follow state policy on meal reimbursements, including daily rates and limits on per-meal costs for staff when traveling. The department also neglects to report some clothing allowances provided to staff as taxable benefits, which violates IRS requirements.

Auditors raised concerns with the department’s procedures for awarding and reimbursing some grant dollars. Auditors identified one instance in which the department overpaid a grant recipient by more than $1,000, and another instance where grant funds were used to pay for a grant recipient to attend to a forestry conference; however, that person did not attend the conference.

The complete report is available here.