28-04-2025
State auditor finds lacking transparency in Stone County Developmental Disability Board
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Stone County Developmental Disability Board needs to operate more transparently and improve compliance with state law, according to a report released Monday, April 28, by Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick.
The audit gives the Board a rating of 'fair' and recommends improved compliance with the Missouri Sunshine Law.
According to a news release from the state auditor's office, the audit report highlights that the Board's Operations and Finance committees 'did not always provide notice of the time, date and place of each meeting, and did not prepare or provide tentative agendas.'
The report also says that without maintaining meeting minutes and providing public notice of Board committee meetings, the Board lacks an official record and there is no transparency regarding the actions taken during committee meetings.
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Additionally, the report found the Board violated the Sunshine Law by discussing and voting to increase the Executive Director's salary from $90,000 to $125,000 annually in the December 21, 2023, closed meeting.
'It's disappointing to see the Board doesn't consistently comply with the provisions of the Sunshine Law and in doing so prevents the public from having an adequate level of access to, and knowledge of, Board committee decisions and actions,' said Fitzpatrick in the release.
Fitzpatrick also said the Board disagreed with many of the report's findings, made an incorrect claim that it doesn't qualify as a political subdivision, and provided a response that seems to indicate the Board believes compliance with state law is not mandatory.
In addition, the audit found the Board did not comply with state law when it procured a construction manager for the construction of a facility to house all Board operations.
The Board solicited proposals from construction managers for the facility using the construction manager-at-risk method outlined in Missouri state law, and in March 2024, awarded a contract to a construction manager for a guaranteed maximum price of $2.75 million.
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However, Section 67.5050(2), RSMo, allows this procurement method only for building projects that exceed $3 million.
According to the report, the Board disagrees with that finding and makes the claim that 'it is not a political subdivision and thus not subject to the relevant statute.' However, Auditor Fitzpatrick says by its own admission, the Board is clearly a political subdivision as it defines itself as such on its own official website.
'I hope this report shines some additional light on the operation of the Board for the taxpayers of Stone County and the numerous individuals who have questioned Board decisions in recent years,' said Fitzpatrick.
The full audit report for the Stone County Developmental Disability Board is available .
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