State Auditor Nicole Galloway
State auditor Nicole Galloway, D, could audit Greene County — one way or the other. A citizen’s petition is underway after a whistleblower complained that county money was used to promote passing a 1/2-cent sales tax that was on the ballot in November.
The 1/2-cent sales tax passed by a 59.74% margin. The Green County website said it would raise an estimated $26 million per year. The money would be used to help the County expand its jail, implement services to reduce jail population growth, reinstate Animal Control, meet environmental funding needs and provide financial assistance to municipalities.
So far, county leaders have not asked the auditor to investigate the matter. Galloway offered to audit the county for free, but Greene County commissioners instead hired a private law firm to do their own investigation.
People who’d like to gather signatures for the petition can go to the Library Station in Springfield from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday.
By Jason Rima of Missourinet affiliate KSGF in Springfield
