State audit of Springfield begins today

Springfield City Council heard a presentation last night before its regular meeting, spelling out the audit process. The state will examine several departments over the coming months, including city finances, City Utilities and the Springfield Municipal Court.

The audit was initiated by a petition containing 5,874 validated signatures, submitted to the auditor’s office in June. By state law, 5,000 signatures were required, and the city covers the cost of the audit, estimated to be between $60,000 and $80,000.

Former Greene County Libertarian Party chairman Doug Burlison spearheaded the petition drive, citing questions about management of both CU and the city’s Police Officers’ and Firefighters’ Pension Fund. The questions increased when it was announced in July that more than $1 million was missing from the city’s municipal court.

Local Government Audit Director Thomas Kremer explained the process to council. Kremer said that after the information collection is complete, the auditor’s office will put together a report and present it, along with any recommendations for changes, to the mayor, council and other city department leaders in a closed session. The city’s responses will then be included in the final public report.

The entire audit process is confidential except for the final report, which Kremer said would come after the first of the year.

See SBJ’s Sept. 11 issue for more on the Sept. 5 meeting of Springfield City Council.