The City of Joplin thanks State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick and his staff for their thorough work on the 2023 performance audit. This extensive review involved thousands of labor hours and hundreds of thousands of records, ensuring the City’s finances and operational processes are efficient, accurate, transparent, and in compliance with all applicable laws.
The audit found:
- NO fraud.
- NO theft.
- NO unlawful activity.
While the report included ten items with recommendations for improving certain processes, the City has already implemented many of these suggestions. Most of the recommendations are focused on best practices, helping the City refine and strengthen its operational processes, financial management and transparency.
Key improvements and highlights include:
- Emergency Ordinances: The City has reduced the use of emergency ordinances by half since April 2024 and continues to allow full public review and comment on all agenda items.
- Finance Controls: Strengthened oversight includes improved reconciliation processes for online credit card payments, an independent review of voided cash receipt entries, and improved accounts receivable collection processes.
- Budgeting: Improved public reporting and transparency of multi-year obligations.
- Payroll & Allowances: Accurate time tracking software is being implemented for all employees. Vehicle allowances for Department Directors and Council employees will be reviewed annually for reasonableness.
- Building Department: The City has updated its ordinance to ensure cooperating property owners are not penalized while they bring their properties into compliance.
- Internal Audit: Audit duties are included in the Financial Analyst position, supplemented by independent annual audits, federal and state audits of grants, as well as department assessments, addressing oversight recommendations without straining taxpayer resources.
- Joplin Sports Authority: JSA’s Board, which includes City representatives, review all finances, expenditures, and activities, ensuring proper oversight and that economic benefits flow to the City from this external and independent organization which is not a department of the City.
- City Council Closed Minutes: Though not required by law, the Council now formally approves closed session minutes at subsequent meetings, enhancing transparency.
- CVB Bidding Procedures: The purchasing system has been upgraded so that required bidding documentation is attached electronically, helping ensure improved record-keeping and full compliance with City policy.
- Electronic Records: The City continues to comply with Sunshine Law requirements and is reviewing electronic record policies to ensure they remain current with modern technology, as recommended.
“This audit is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of our staff,” said Mayor Keenan Cortez. “We are extremely proud of the results, which show our finances are secure and your taxpayer resources are safeguarded, in addition to having effective and efficient operational processes. At the same time, we are grateful to the auditors for their thorough review and recommendations, which help us continue improving. This reflects our ongoing commitment to transparency, integrity, and serving the public responsibly.”
Joplin City Manager Nick Edwards said, “We are very pleased with the outcome of this audit. We’ve even been told by people who work in the State auditor’s office that this was a good audit. That speaks volumes about the trustworthiness and dedication of our staff. Even better is the swiftness with which Council has supported implementation of the State Auditor’s best practice recommendations.”
To learn more detail about the findings and the City’s response to each, the City encourages residents to view the Mayor’s full video message responding to the audit findings, which can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel here.
Reference:
Lynn Iliff Onstot, Public Information Officer
City of Joplin
417.624.0820, ext. 204
LOnstot@joplinmo.org
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