Latest news with #StateAuditor'sOffice
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Auditor Fitzpatrick takes legal action to obtain data for audit of Jackson County Assessment Department
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick announced on Wednesday that he has taken legal action to obtain the missing link needed to complete the audit of the Jackson County Assessment Department. Fitzpatrick filed a petition in the Circuit Court of Jackson County to enforce two subpoenas he issued on Feb. 24, 2025, to the Jackson County Assessor and to Data Cloud Solutions (DCS) – which is the vendor used by the department to house data that will help determine if drive-by assessments were performed in violation of state law. Woman says former firefighter sexually abused her, fears he will avoid punishment 'From the beginning we knew this data was critical to the audit and mandatory to answer the questions of Jackson County residents who have serious concerns about their rights being violated during the physical assessment process,' Auditor Fitzpatrick said in a news release. 'We began requesting this data in the very early stages of our work and have been given the run around the entire time.' He said the Jackson County Assessment Department claims they are unable to access the Mobile Assessor data created during the assessment of Jackson County property – and has placed the blame on Data Cloud Solutions, a third-party vendor. 'Data Cloud Solutions has been unwilling to provide the data to a client paying for their services, and has already ignored two subpoenas from our office,' Fitzpatrick said. 'Unfortunately for Data Cloud Solutions, we will fight until we have the truth for the people of Jackson County.' Fitzpatrick said that he and the State Auditor's Office initially requested data from Tyler Technologies in November 2023. After three requests to Tyler Technologies were ignored, he said the State Auditor's Office requested the data from the Jackson County Assessment Department in January 2024—only to receive a response that the department would need to reach out to Tyler Technologies about the data. After months passed and no data was provided, he said the State Auditor's Office issued a subpoena to the department on May 28, 2024, and again on Oct. 8, 2024. A representative from Tyler Technologies indicated the company gave Data Cloud Solutions the necessary permission to share the data with the Jackson County Assessment Department. However, after the department's request to obtain the data directly from Data Cloud Solutions failed, Fitzpatrick said he issued a third subpoena to the department on Feb. 24, 2025. From February 2024 through January 2025, he said Data Cloud Solutions ignored these requests. According to Fitzpatrick, the State Auditor's Office also issued subpoenas to Data Cloud Solutions in December 2024 and February 2025 – both of which were ignored. The audit of the Jackson County Assessment Department has been ongoing since Oct. 23, 2023. The audit was initiated at the request of the Jackson County Legislature, which passed a formal resolution authorizing the audit on Aug. 21, 2023. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Auditor Fitzpatrick released preliminary results to the people of Jackson County in December 2023 after his office discovered up to 200,000 homeowners in Jackson County were the victims of a flawed and inadequate assessment process that failed to comply with state law. He said his office 'continues to work to complete the audit of the department in spite of continued efforts made by the auditee to delay the process.'Jackson County likely to comply with latest order on assessments Three Jackson County legislators call on AG to investigate Frank White Missouri Tax Commission orders Jackson County to roll back 2023 assessments The latest in tug of war over Jackson County property tax assessments Jackson County leaders stand by 2023 property assessments despite state order Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Terra Alta recorder resigns after town fails to submit budget
Video is previous coverage. TERRA ALTA, (WBOY) — After it was revealed last week that the Town of Terra Alta is nearly two months behind the deadline to submit its annual budget, the town's recorder has now submitted her letter of resignation. In a Facebook post made Friday by the Town of Terra Alta, Recorder Mikaela Bernard published her letter of resignation, saying that she feels the move is 'in the town of Terra Alta's best interest.' 'With the missed deadline of the budget and now that I have all accurate and true information surrounding what needs to be done to attempt to solve what can be solved, I do not feel I can personally meet the obligations and the time and work requirement that will be necessary to do so due to my employment and having a new baby at home,' she said. State Auditor's Office officials told 12 News last week that the town had failed to submit its annual budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 and was even weeks behind on an extension deadline. Failure to submit this budget means that no levy rate was approved for the town and, as it stands, the town can't collect taxes. In her statement, Bernard apologized to the town's residents, saying that she 'did not even know that it was a thing that needed to be completed' until being notified on May 12, but 'that's no excuse.' She added that she feels that the town's recorder 'needs to be a full time position in order to be able to do the job successfully.' 26th West Virginia ambulance service shuts down within 2 years 'My hope is that someone who has the ability and the time to do what needs to be done can be appointed to the position. I do not want to be in a position taking up space when I now know what needs to be done and I do not have the ability to fulfill it,' Bernard said. Bernard also thanked the employees she's worked with over the past 23 months. After 12 News initially reported on the town's budget woes, Terra Alta Mayor Dan Hauger issued a statement taking full responsibility and calling it 'a major oversight.' Despite being far behind the deadline, he affirmed that the town has contacted its accountant and is working with the State Auditor's Office to resolve this issue. 12 News has reached out to Hauger for comment on Bernard's resignation. Stay tuned for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State Auditor Dave Boliek visits Greenville
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek visited eastern North Carolina on Tuesday. His goal for his visit was to learn more about Greenville and the east. 'Where roadblocks exist on economic development and prosperity in eastern North Carolina, so that we can put into context how we audit things and how we look at the use of taxpayer money when we're determining what the best return on investment is. And second is to get that perspective from people that live in Greenville as to what needs—what—where does tax dollars—where do tax dollars need to be spent here to get the greatest return on investment,' said Dave Boliek, North Carolina State Auditor. He tells WNCT that since being elected, he's been working on redefining the State Auditor's Office. 'The Dave Act passed the North Carolina Senate. We're working with the North Carolina House on their budget funding. And we've talked to House leaders, in fact, on the way up here, about what we've asked for in terms of expanding the capabilities of the State Auditor's Office,' Boliek said. The State Auditor is now able to appoint new members to the State Board of Elections, a duty that used to be held by the sitting governor. 'We've already accomplished the first round of that, which is to appoint the board. The second part of our role is to appoint county board chairs, which we will handle over the next 30 to 45 days,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
MS man guilty of defrauding rental assistance program
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Quitman County, Mississippi, man pleaded guilty to submitting fraudulent rental assistance program applications on behalf of tenants renting properties owned by him. According to the State Auditor's Office, Vernell Survillion submitted fraudulent Rental Assistance for Mississippians Program applications containing fake information, including forged signatures, inflated monthly rental amounts, inflated months delinquent, and incorrect occupant information. Cleanup continues in DeSoto County as more severe storms expected Tuesday The Mississippi Home Corporation made payments to Survillion following the applications. Survillion pleaded guilty to one count of Fraudulent Statements and was sentenced to five years of non-adjudicated probation. He was also ordered to pay $500 in fines and just over $16,000 in restitution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State to audit Humansville for the first time after residents petition amid turmoil
For more than a year, the city of Humansville has been embroiled in multiple controversies, including concerns about misused funds. Residents of the small Polk County town have now gathered signatures required to request the State Auditor's Office conduct an audit to ensure the city is operating properly. While the Board of Alderman had previously voted to initiate a state audit themselves, the action failed when Mayor Tracy Mason broke the tie by voting against it. Residents then gathered 170 certified signatures to request the audit, above the required 135 signature threshold, according to an Auditor's Office news release. "With the numerous issues that have occurred in the city over the last year, and with allegations of missing money, it's important that we shine the light of truth and transparency on the city's government," State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said in the release. "We will do our best to give taxpayers a better understanding of the financial health and operational effectiveness of their city. If necessary, we will also provide recommendations to improve the performance of their government." This is the first time, according to the release, that the city will be audited by the Missouri State Auditor's Office. Fitzpatrick asked for patience during the process and encouraged those with any information to reach out through the Whistleblower Hotline at 800-347-8597, by email at moaudit@ or by visiting Two state investigations already have been conducted within the city government of Humansville. One, by the Missouri Secretary of State's Office, resulted in charges being filed against city employee Sophia Piper alleging election interference, although that case was dismissed right before a trial was set to begin in April due to witnesses failing to appear. The other investigation was conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol looking into misuse of public funds. While a representative from the MSHP confirmed in October the investigation was complete and forwarded to the Polk County Prosecutor's Office, no additional updates have emerged since. More: Stone County Developmental Disabilities Board didn't comply with state law, audit finds There is also plenty of other controversy involving former aldermen and city staff. In November, the city attorney sued former alderman Ashley Albright and two other women for defamation after Albright accused the attorney of sexual harassment. Prior to that, former alderman Robert Thomas filed a lawsuit against the city for alleged Sunshine Law violations. Both lawsuits are ongoing. Most recently, former Humansville police chief Ryan Snow filed a lawsuit against the city claiming his firing was illegal and the city still owed him wages. Snow played a role in initiating the state's investigations, which the lawsuit claims was a reason the city retaliated and dismissed him. Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@ This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Humansville to be audited amid turmoil after resident petition
