Circuit court orders Clay County commissioners to cooperate with audit, release documents

A released Clay County Circuit Court order requires that Clay County commissioners cooperate with an ongoing audit by the state. According to the court order, the county must release all requested records and documents by Nov. 2.

A Clay County Circuit Court Monday ordered county commissioners to continue to cooperate with a on-going audit by Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway.

According to court documents, the county must now release all the documents requested by Galloway’s office within 10 days of the court order.

Since the order was issued on Oct. 23, county commissioners have to release the records by Nov. 2.

This includes “all 2017-2019 meeting minutes, whether open or closed, redacted as specified in the subpoenas and to the extent not already produced within ten days the Court’s order,” according to court documents.

Clay County said in a statement Monday afternoon that it was reviewing options, including a possible appeal, with legal counsel and could not comment further.

Last November, Galloway began to issue subpoenas to Clay County after more than 9,000 citizens signed a petition seeking an audit of the county. The petition by citizens showed concerns over the county’s financial records.

This came after Clay County tried to sue in order to avoid having to cooperate with the audit.

Voters will decide on a new proposed constitution for the county in the upcoming election, which would mean big changes to the structure of the government.