DIAMOND, MO.--- Missouri state auditors found Diamond city leaders were not properly documenting or estimating costs of certain projects. For example, engineering services for a 2010 sewer construction project were estimated to cost $55,000, but ended up costing the city $115,000.
There was also a 49% water loss recorded last year in Diamond, which averages out to about 2.5 million gallons wasted due to leaks. The state auditor says he is confident Diamond city leaders will fix the problems as soon as possible.
"I do a lot of audits and some cities are more cooperative than others, but I found the administration of the City of Diamond to be very cooperative. They recognized the accuracy of what we found and they're committed to implementing the recommendations," says Tom Schweich, Missouri State Auditor.
Schweich says 90% of the city's financial problems are already being addressed by Diamond city leaders. Such as keeping better documentation and making sure they go through the bidding process for projects and purchases. The State Auditor's Office will do a follow up in 90 days to make sure the recommendations are being carried out.
There was also a 49% water loss recorded last year in Diamond, which averages out to about 2.5 million gallons wasted due to leaks. The state auditor says he is confident Diamond city leaders will fix the problems as soon as possible.
"I do a lot of audits and some cities are more cooperative than others, but I found the administration of the City of Diamond to be very cooperative. They recognized the accuracy of what we found and they're committed to implementing the recommendations," says Tom Schweich, Missouri State Auditor.
Schweich says 90% of the city's financial problems are already being addressed by Diamond city leaders. Such as keeping better documentation and making sure they go through the bidding process for projects and purchases. The State Auditor's Office will do a follow up in 90 days to make sure the recommendations are being carried out.
