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By Carol Arnett

The long anticipated release of State Auditor Susan Montee’s audit for Florissant was announced at City Hall Tuesday night citing problems in six areas:  city  expenditures, rental fees, closed council sessions, vehicle records, police procedures and payroll.

The audit was a result of a petition  drive requesting the state audit. Montee explained that Florissant’s strong mayor form of government results  in the city paying $24,000 while her office will pick up the remainder of the $50,000 cost. This was the first time, Montee and her staff had audited a city with the strong mayor form of government.

Montee said that several of the citizen concerns she was asked to look into were, in fact, legal under the strong mayor form of government. She said that more transparency might help alleviate concerns.

Mayor Robert Lowery receives a discretionary fund to use for expenses. The report states that certain expenses “do not appear necessary.” It cites tickets for a non-profit organization fundraiser, Christmas cards and postage to mail then. Entry feels for a golf tournament and expenses for a holiday party and retirement lunch.

Montee said that while the funds are discretionary, they are to be used for the good of the city and benefit all residents. The audit also criticized the rental fee policy enforcement.

Montee said those rental fees for city facilities were waived several times and the city ordinance does not allow this.

Another area of concern was the city council’s closed meetings. Under the Sunshine Law, there are very specific reasons for meetings to be closed. The auditors determined that some of the minutes did not provide sufficient reason for a closed meeting. “This could be a legal issue if you are ever challenged on these meetings,” Montee said.

According to the audit, the mayor did not provided adequate vehicle records. Montee said the amount of miles driven was small, but that is something that must be provided to the IRS under state laws.

Payroll issues included employees being classified under the wrong classification and receiving overtime pay they were not eligible. Also cited was employees carrying over vacation with permission of the mayor.  Police department problems had to do with documentation of receipts.

Mayor Lowery, in a written response to the audit, said that “the results affirm and validate that the city has strong internal controls in places.”

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