SMITHVILLE, Mo. (AP) _ An audit has found mismanaged money and possible illegal
activity in a fire protection district north of Kansas City.
KMBC-TV reports that Smithville’s Fire Protection District received a rating of
“poor,” which is the lowest possible. The most glaring issue is $209,000 in
bonuses paid to the chief and staff from 2011-2015. State Auditor Nicole
Galloway says the bonuses are illegal.
Another issue is $2 million was spent to build a new station, which has sat unused since its completion more than a year ago because no money was budgeted for staff or maintenance. The former chief also received $1,700 for a conference he didn’t attend.
Galloway has turned over her findings to law enforcement. Her office’s 42-page
review says new leadership has fixed some of the issues.
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