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Resident raises missing-checks concern as Chula review accepts audit and authorizes administrative changes
Summary
A resident told the Chula Board of Aldermen four city checks remain unaccounted for; the council accepted a received city audit, approved sending financial statements to the state and agreed to a modest fee increase for its accounting firm.
Kathi Gillespie, a resident, told the Chula Board of Aldermen on March 2 that four city checks remain unaccounted for and urged the council to reorder checks and consolidate multiple accounts at State Bank, citing a former loan as the reason for multiple accounts. "Four checks are still unaccounted for," Gillespie said during public comment.
The council later acknowledged receipt of the city audit and voted to send the financial statements to the State of Missouri. "City audit has been received and reviewed," City Clerk Dawn M. Boyles said; the council voted, 3-0, to send the financial statements as part of routine compliance.
Why it matters: The missing-checks claim was raised at the start of the meeting and the audit acceptance and submission mean state reviewers will have access to the city's most recent financial records. Dawn reported a most-recent cash/asset figure of $633,000 during the meeting.
Other administrative actions: The council approved an engagement change for the municipality’s accounting provider. Clevenger & Associates has changed its name to Trenton Tax & Accounting LLC and presented a new engagement letter increasing the monthly fee by $80.50; Alderman Benny Simpson moved to accept the new rate and the motion passed 3-0. The council also voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m.
Clarifying details discussed during the meeting included approximately 10 shut-off notices being prepared for distribution and operational items noted by staff: Adam Cooksey said he is draining lagoons and will pull water samples on Tuesday with H2O Solutions.
What’s next: Council members directed staff to proceed with the audit-related filings and the updated accounting engagement; no formal investigation or specific timeline for reconciling the missing checks was recorded in the transcript.
