By Rachel Lippmann, St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis – The office of state auditor Susan Montee is likely to review the books of University City.
Leaders of University City Citizens for Transparency and Accountability say they collected more than 3,200 signatures on petitions demanding an audit of the city. The St. Louis County Board of Elections must certify the numbers; petitioners only needed to collect 2,200 signatures.
University City Citizens for Transparency and Accountability launched the drive over a wide variety of concerns, including no-bid contracts, the settlement of lawsuits without Council approval, and real estate transactions.
Lawmakers appear to have gotten used to taking shortcuts, said Paulette Carr, the group's leader.
"The common answer we get is it's been done this way, this is the way we do it. And when it's sometimes pointed out that the ordinance says something different, we're simply told no, that's not the case," Carr said. She said the group also has concerns about the city's budget.
"This is not intended to be retributive," said councilwoman Lynn Ricci, one of a few elected officials to support the audit. "I don't think there's any criminal activity at all, I'm not expecting any of that. I just think we're not doing the best way we can. And given this economy, we need to find better ways to do it."
University City's finance director said officials welcome the audit, and follow all of the city's purchasing and contracting ordinances.