Citizen Petition for State Audit Takes Center Stage at Transparency Meeting on Water District
By Echo Menges
HURDLAND, Mo. — A citizen-requested petition seeking a more comprehensive audit of the Knox County Public Water Supply District No. 1 took center stage during a public town hall meeting Wednesday evening, where organizers outlined what they say are ongoing concerns with the district’s governance, finances and transparency.
The citizen petition follows a separate audit already initiated by State Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin (R-Dist. 18), who requested the Missouri State Auditor’s Office review the district earlier this year. Green told attendees she supports that audit but believes a citizen-requested audit, which requires verified voter signatures, could allow auditors to conduct a broader review of the district’s operations. She said she decided to continue gathering signatures because she believes “there’s reason to dig further.”
The meeting, led by Hurdland residents Julie Green and Tom Boatman, drew residents from across the district to the Hurdland Community Center. Green, who initiated the citizen petition, said she began attending water district meetings in recent months after hearing concerns from residents and decided to pursue an audit after conducting her own research.
While State Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin has already requested an audit by the Missouri State Auditor’s Office, Green said she believes a citizen-requested audit, supported by registered voter signatures, could result in a more in-depth review.
“She just beat me to it,” Green said of O’Laughlin. “I was in the process, but I did go ahead and do the citizen-requested petition because the citizen-requested petition with voter signatures will be more in depth and more thoroughly. We believe there’s reason to dig further.”
Green emphasized that the concerns outlined in the petition are based on her observations while attending three district board meetings and reviewing applicable Missouri statutes. She repeatedly told those in attendance the petition does not allege fraud or criminal wrongdoing.
“These are just concerns that I see as errors in procedures,” Green said. “This is mine. This is not proof that it was fraud. These are concerns.”
According to Green, the State Auditor’s Office estimated a citizen-requested audit could cost the district between $58,000 and $85,000. She argued the expense should not discourage voters from supporting the effort.
“Every penny spent now will be a dollar saved in the future,” Green said. “This is worth it for our infrastructure.”
The meeting was described from the outset as a citizen-led informational meeting and not an official function of the City of Hurdland or any public board. Green noted that all members of the water district board had been invited and asked attendees to remain respectful throughout the discussion.
Boatman told attendees the effort is focused on public transparency rather than individual employees.
“This is about public transparency and making everybody aware that there are certain rules and statutes that all public boards have to follow,” Boatman said, adding that citizens have a right to know the results of public business even when portions of meetings are legally closed.
For nearly an hour, Green walked through the concerns she included in the petition. Those included the lack of updated bylaws and written policies, questions about the district’s financial controls and treasurer position, public records practices, meeting procedures, board governance, inventory controls, equipment use, and access to financial records by board members. Throughout the presentation, she cited Missouri statutes and said the issues were based on information discussed during public board meetings and her own research.
Boatman echoed Green’s message that the meeting was intended to improve the district rather than criticize employees.
“We’re not accusing anybody of trying to hide anything or accusing anybody of wrongdoing,” Boatman said. “We’re just saying that there’s a better way to do it than just the way we’ve done it for so long.”
During a question-and-answer session, residents raised concerns ranging from estimated water bills and low water pressure to water line mapping, leak detection and infrastructure planning. Organizers encouraged attendees to continue attending district board meetings and ask questions of their elected representatives.
Green said she is seeking more than the minimum number of signatures required to submit the petition to the Missouri State Auditor’s Office. She told attendees signatures must be verified by county election authorities before the petition can proceed and said updates would be shared through the group’s Facebook page.
Since the meeting was held, support for the citizen petition has grown. State Rep. Greg Sharpe (R-Dist. 4) announced he supports the state audit and is encouraging residents served by the district to sign the citizen petition requesting a full audit by the Missouri State Auditor’s Office.
Closing the meeting, Boatman encouraged residents to stay engaged in the process.
“Change happens because the citizens want change to happen,” Boatman said. “And if we fail to act, then nothing will change.”
