An audit released Thursday was critical of the financial condition in Dekalb County, Missouri. State Auditor Tom Schweich says the overall performance of the county was rated “Fair.”

An audit report indicates the general revenue fund is in poor financial condition, and several potential liabilities, including courthouse repairs and the declining financial condition of the jail, could negatively impact the county’s finances.

Scheich says the county did not properly reduce the general revenue property tax levy in past years and must continue to reduce the levy to zero to make up for past excess collections.

The county commission does not review budget-to-actual reports and overspent the general revenue fund budget in 2010 by approximately $32,000.

The report also says the Davies-DeKalb Regional Jail District Commission has not provided adequate oversight of jail operations. As a result, the financial condition of the jail operation is declining, and management of the jail needs improvement. As of Dec. 31, 2011, an investigation was still ongoing into accounting irregularities and possible misappropriation of assets during the term of the former jail administrator.

The jail’s operating account ending balance declined from $2.8 million in 2008 to $1.2 million in 2011, due largely to a reduction in receipts, but the jail has not analyzed whether rates to house and transport outside prisoners are adequate.

Neither the county commission or the county clerk reviewed the activities of the county collector-treasurer, so the county lacked intended checks and balances. The county clerk did not prepare or verify the accuracy of the current or delinquent tax books, as required by state law. The county clerk did not reconcile court orders for additions and abatements to actual changes made to the property tax system, so errors or irregularities could go undetected.

In the prosecuting attorney’s office, accounting duties were not adequately segregated, and the prosecuting attorney did not adequately oversee financial functions and records. Bank reconciliations and liability lists were not prepared from September 2009 to August 2011 for the main account until requested by audit staff.

The public administrator did not file annual statements timely. Our review of three wards noted that the two annual settlements due in 2010 were late. Neither the associate circuit court nor the public administrator adequately reviewed the annual settlements, and errors went undetected. In one instance a $25,000 life insurance policy was not reported, and in another real estate valued at $115,000 was omitted.

Because counties are managed by several separately-elected individuals, an audit finding made with respect to one office does not necessarily apply to the operations in another office. The overall rating assigned to the county is intended to reflect the performance of the county as a whole. It does not indicated the performance of any one elected official or county office.

To view the complete report, Citizens Summary and audit rating scale, click here.

An investigation continues after a huge drug raid Tuesday. Jeremy John Pullen is being held under $100-thousand bond on charges of 1st Degree Drug Trafficking.

Another suspect, Dakota Guess, is charged with 2nd Degree Drug Trafficking. Guess is being held under $35 thousand bond. Both men were scheduled for arraignment Friday.

Court documents show officers served a search warrant in the 1100 block of South 17th on Tuesday, seizing cocaine, hashish, marijuana, firearms and cash.

The affidavit of probable cause indicates officers seized 96 pounds of marijuana, 24 grams of cocaine, 12 grams of Hashish, a 12 gauge shotgun, .22 cal. pistol and $2,600 cash from the home at 1102 S. 17th Street.

Police Captain Kevin Castle says the raid stemmed from a joint investigation by the Street Crimes Unit of the St Joseph Police Department and the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office.

The upcoming Eggs and Issues breakfast will feature a Missouri Western business school graduate who went on to become president and chief executive at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

Esther L. George will talk about the history of the Federal Reserve System and its role in today’s economy during Western’s next Eggs and Issues breakfast at 7 a.m. Wednesday, March 21 in the Fulkerson Center. The hot breakfast is free and open to the campus and the community, but reservations are required by Monday, March 19. Call 816-271-5646 or email holtz@missouriwestern.edu.

George is president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and a member of the Federal Open Market Committee, which has authority over U.S. monetary policy. She graduated from Western with a bachelor of science in business administration in 1980, and joined the Federal Reserve Bank in 1982.

She served as a commissioned bank examiner until 1995, when she was named to the Bank’s official staff. She has held numerous leadership positions at the Bank within its research support, public affairs and human resources functions. George was named a vice president and put in charge of the Bank’s Division of Supervision and Risk Management in 2001, was named first vice president and chief operating officer in 2009, and was appointed president and chief executive officer on Oct. 1, 2011.

A native of Faucett, Mo., George holds a master of business administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and is a graduate of the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking and the Stanford University Executive Program. She recently completed three terms on the MWSU Foundation Board of Directors.

Following George’s presentation, the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions.

Since 1988, Eggs and Issues has been sponsored by the MWSU Foundation to provide a community educational forum that encourages the exchange of ideas on current topics.

Today is National Agriculture Day – a day to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture.

This celebration brings a well-deserved spotlight on America’s farmers.  Ag Day roundtables, forums and other special events will be held in Washington, D.C., and other locations across the nation.

Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Nebraska, and president of the American Soybean Association, says – Ag Day is a wonderful opportunity to pause and think about the noble work farmers do each day to ensure American families have the food, feed, fiber and fuel they need.

Wellman notes, – a few generations ago, most Americans were directly involved in – or had relatives or friends involved in – agriculture-related endeavors. Today, that is no longer the case That’s why it’s so important we join our voices together to carry our message further than any one of us can do alone.

To see the 2012 National Ag Day Video Essay winning video,  watch below.

 

Missourians unhappy with the value put on their vehicle by the county assessor may soon have a way to fight back. State Senator LuAnn Ridgeway of Smithville sponsors a bill that would give taxpayers four vehicle price guides to check.

Ridgeway’s bill would let assessors and the state tax commission negotiate with several guide companies, and settle on one. The commission would also have to pick four other guides consumers could check for lower values. If they find a lower value, the burden is on the assessor to prove the value should be higher. The Senate has approved the bill and sent it to the House.

 

The Missouri House is honoring the Highway Patrol Trooper who died on flood duty at Big Lake last summer. Platte City representative Nick Marshall says the House is proud to express gratitude to the wife and daughter of Trooper Fred Guthrie Junior.

Guthrie’s wife Teresa and daughter Amber received two standing ovations as they were given a copy of the House resolution of gratitude. The House is also considering a bill to rename a section of I-29 in Platte County in Guthrie’s honor. Guthrie and his K-9 partner were swept away by the flooded Missouri River in Holt County last August 1st.   

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – State regulators have approved a $24 million rate increase for water and sewer customers of Missouri American Water Co.

The increase endorsed Wednesday is to take effect April 1 for many of the company’s nearly 458,000 customers, but the exact amount will vary by community.

Missouri American serves the St. Louis area, Jefferson City, Joplin, St. Joseph, Warrensburg, Mexico and other communities.

The St. Louis-based company had sought a $43 million rate increase when filing a case last summer with the Missouri Public Service Commission. The company said the rate increase was needed to cover costs of improvements in water and sewage treatment plants, pumps and pipelines that help make service reliable for customers.

The company said its fuel and power costs also have increased.