State auditor announces performance audit of Salem; estimates $80K–$125K cost to city

The Missouri State Auditor's Office told the Salem City Council on Monday that it will begin a petitioned performance audit of city operations after validating 284 signatures, the audit manager said.

"We were petitioned under chapter 29.23 of the Missouri statutes to conduct a performance audit," Chris Vetter, audit manager, said during a 20‑minute presentation. He said the office received 284 valid signatures (278 were required) and that field work will include interviews, document review and some on‑site visits beginning Monday.

Vetter said the city will ultimately pay for the audit; the office estimated the cost to the city at between $80,000 and $125,000 and said it would try to keep costs as low as possible. He said most of the auditors' work should take two to three months, though the office may look back further than the prior fiscal year if evidence indicates a need to do so.

Vetter described the audit process and confidentiality rules: work papers are confidential until the audit report is issued; the auditors will hold a pre‑exit meeting with relevant city employees before sharing draft findings with the council in closed session. The city then has 30 days to submit a written response that will be included in the final public report.

He also invited city staff and residents to contact the auditor's office with concerns or information and said auditors maintain a hotline and will leave business cards for citizens who wish to speak with them privately.

The presentation outlined the audit's procedural timeline and the office's plan to prioritize high‑risk areas based on interviews and initial survey work. Vetter said the office will keep the city informed as findings arise rather than presenting issues only at the end of the process.

The council did not ask substantive follow‑up questions during the presentation. The mayor thanked the auditors for the overview and the meeting moved to the next agenda item.