Press release
Audit work underway in several city offices and departments; reports expected to be issued throughout 2019 and 2020
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo — Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today said her office has audit work ongoing in several departments and offices as part of the comprehensive audit of the City of St. Louis. Audits underway include the Department of Public Safety, Office of the Comptroller, Department of Personnel, Treasurer’s Office and St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE).
“I accepted the request to audit the City of St. Louis because taxpayers deserve to know whether city business is being conducted efficiently and effectively,” Auditor Galloway said. “I appreciate the feedback we’ve received from citizens on their concerns, and encourage them to continue to reach out to my office as audit work continues.”
The audit of the city’s Department of Public Safety will review overall operations and financial procedures to ensure efficiency. Public Safety is the city’s largest municipal government department; it includes the Fire Department, the Metropolitan Police Department, six major divisions, two bureaus, and correctional facilities.
Work is also underway in the Department of Personnel, Office of the Comptroller and Office of the Treasurer. The Department of Personnel maintains the city’s human resource responsibilities, employee benefit programs, training and development programs, and employment opportunities within the City of St. Louis. The Comptroller’s office provides accounting services for the city, including financial reporting, federal grant administration, the management of outside vendor contracts, and asset management. The Office of the Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the city’s banking systems and parking services.
An audit of SLATE is also ongoing. The government agency offers job seekers and businesses a variety of services related to employment, job training, and career advancement. Auditors will review recent allegations of misuse of public dollars.
Last year, Auditor Galloway accepted the request by the Board of Aldermen to complete a comprehensive, independent audit of the City of St. Louis. The last audit of the city was completed in 2010.
To date, the State Auditor’s Office has issued audits of the Supply Division, Board of Public Service and the Information Technology Services Agency. The office also released a series of reports that included updates from city departments on their progress on 2010 audit findings.
Citizens interested in information on the audit can visit auditor.mo.gov/STLAudit. The page includes links to recent reports and the 2010 audit, as well as resources for citizens to contact the State Auditor’s Office will their concerns. Citizens can also 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.
