An area government office is being audited by the State of Missouri.

In a press release issued Monday, State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick announces an audit of the Stone County Collector's Office. 

The audit was requested by the Stone County Commission after they discovered the possibility of missing Monday according to the release, which went on to say that the audit process began last week with auditors from Fitzpatrick's office meeting with county officials. 

"We will conduct a thorough review of the office with the goal of providing answers for the Stone County Commission and all taxpayers in Stone County who deserve to know if their tax dollars have been misused or even stolen," said Fitzpatrick in the release. "If we discover money is missing from the Stone County Collector's Office, we will do everything we can to ensure those who are responsible are held accountable for their actions."

The Missouri State Auditor's Office last conducted an audit of the Stone County Collector in 2021 which earned the office an excellent rating. That was following a 202 audit in which the county got a fair rating identifying some concerns with procedures in the office. 

Below is information stated in the release on providing information for the audit:
Individuals may provide confidential information for consideration during the audit of the Stone County Collector's Office to the State Auditor's Whistleblower Hotline at 800-347-8597, by email at moaudit@auditor.mo.gov or by visiting www.auditor.mo.gov/hotline.