State auditor gives Joplin worst rating

A foundation of best practices and policies missing from Joplin's daily operations, State Auditor Nicole Galloway said Wednesday, was among the factors that led to a long list of deficiencies found in a recently completed state audit.

The audit listed the city's performance as "poor," the worst rank given.

According to the Joplin Globe, problems cited in the audit included the city's failure to act quickly in filing for about $10.9 million in disaster recovery reimbursements after the May 2011 tornado; handling of cash and operations; and improper controls in the leadup to its master developer, Wallace Bajjali Development Partners, walking away amid fraud concerns.

Read more from the Joplin Globe.