By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
8/28/07 – An audit of the Missouri Department of Conservation cites the agency for poor record-keeping and inadequate planning of construction projects.
Among the findings, the Conservation Department undertook major building projects without developing or updating any plans, and the department hasn't maintained adequate records for seized evidence, including knives and guns.
Joe Martin is Chief of Staff for State Auditor Susan Montee.
"The department needs to adopt and implement some procedures in various areas, primarily regarding the procedures they use for purchasing or managing their property; also procedures related to the evidence in their protection division," said Martin.
Denise Brown, Assistant Director of the Department of Conservation, calls the findings minor. She says they've already made improvements to their planning procedures for construction projects, and says they're looking into reports of faulty record-keeping of seized weapons.
"This is the 25th time we've been audited in the last 5 years, and once again are pleased to find that the State Auditor's office did not find any instances of fraud or abuse of public funds," said Brown.