FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 23, 2020

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. has issued the following statement today on the audit report of Jackson County’s No-Bid Contracts and Other Expenditures released by the Office of Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway:

“On January 3, 2018, I recommended that the County Legislature request the Office of Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway conduct a thorough and independent performance audit of Jackson County’s financial policies and practices. Performance audits provide an objective analysis to improve operations, reduce costs and facilitate communication, decision-making, corrective actions and public accountability.

“Upon Auditor Galloway’s acceptance of the audit request on April 11, 2018, my administration has fully participated in this process to help her staff complete their scope of work, which included more than one audit report. The second report released today focuses on Jackson County’s No-Bid Contracts and Other Expenditures.

“I understood my recommendation to have the state auditor’s office dig into the longstanding policies and practices of Jackson County would not be easy or fun; however, it was necessary to make us better. I am pleased to know that most of the recommendations made involve issues that have already been addressed by the County. We will continue to work with the elected leaders of Jackson County to make additional improvements in the days, weeks and months ahead. I would like to commend the efforts of State Auditor Nicole Galloway and her staff, whose hard work will ensure our government is operating effectively with the utmost transparency and efficiency.”