State audit of county is nearly complete

CHARLESTON - The state audit of Mississippi County is almost done, according to county officials.

Commissioners met with the auditor on July 22 for four hours to discuss findings and receive "a whole lot of comments," Presiding Commissioner Jim Blumenberg said during the regular County Commission meeting Thursday.

"It was one of the longest ones I've been through," Blumenberg said.

The auditors began in February or March, officials recalled. "And they're still not done," County Clerk Junior DeLay said, noting he still receives calls from the auditor to answer questions or for clarification.

DeLay said the auditors scrutinize "all financial and performance" aspects of the county's government, including asking "a long list of questions" about technology.

There is no projected date to receive the written audit report, but auditors are "faster than they used to be," DeLay said, having typically taken 3-5 months in the past.

State statutes mandate an audit once during an office-holder's term. With longer terms for associate commissioners, the state audits are now only required every four years instead of every other year, DeLay explained, although the county may have to contract for other audits due to federal grants.

Blumenberg said he was impressed with this year's auditor. Lucas agreed, describing her as "very knowledgeable - she knew what she was doing."

Blumenberg said he asked the auditor if she always conducts audits as if she was trying to find a "crook."

"She said, 'Yep,'" Blumenberg said.

In other business during Thursday's meeting:

* Commissioners accepted the sole bid for August gasoline purchases from Delta Growers Association at $1.58 per gallon despite commissioners thinking it may be a "too good to be true" price.

Blumenberg said at 11 cents lower than Boomland's price, there might have been some mistake, although commissioners confirmed the price with DGA.

* The mileage reimbursement rate was raised by commissioners to 34.5 cents per mile to match the state's rate which was changed July 1. "It's been 30 cents for years," DeLay said of the county's rate.

DeLay said there will be a minimal effect on the county as personal vehicles are only used on annual conferences. "Other than that, the county owns all the other vehicles," DeLay said.

* Over 400 absentee ballots have been cast in Mississippi County so far.

"Yesterday was the cut off for mailings," said Cindy Hensley, deputy county clerk. "It's just walk-ins now."

Blumenberg said he believes many absentee ballot voters "probably don't know who they voted for," having been manipulated by someone else, but acknowledged the flip-side of it which is that there are many elderly who do need help.