Cole County Annex Building

311 East High Street

Room 301

Jefferson City, MO 65101

573-634-9122

Contact Us

Phone:  573-634-9122

Email:  jlepage@colecounty.org

2005 County Audit
2004 County Audit
 

 Auditor’s Office Mission Statement, Duties and Recognitions

The mission of the Cole County Auditor is to help make Cole County a safe place to live, work and raise a family.  The Auditor accomplishes his mission basically through his responsibilities as Accounting and Budget Officer activities related to the financing of law enforcement, road and bridge construction and maintenance and providing health care services especially to children and elderly in low-income situations. The Auditor also has primary responsibility for providing accurate, timely and relevant information to the public so that there is openness and accountability in County government and that tax dollars are use lawfully and are not wasted or misused. The Cole County Auditor is an elected office with a four-year term. The current County Auditor, Jim LePage, a Certified Public Accountant, had held the office since 1986.

As the Accounting Officer and Budget Officer of the County the auditor is responsible for establishing and monitoring the accounting and budgeting systems of Cole County. He is responsible for preparing the County's financial statements and works with the outside auditors on the annual financial audit. As budget officer the Auditor is responsible for preparing and submitting a proposed annual budget to the County Commission, and preparing all related budget documents and schedules.

The County Auditor also monitors compliance with State Statutes relative to contracts, bidding and purchasing.  He establishes and monitors internal control procedures, reviews accounts payable activity, monitors and evaluates the condition of the County budget and funds, and certifies contracts and expenditures. The Cole County Auditor also maintains property records and conducts physical asset inventories. The Auditor also prepares special reports for project related issues including capital improvements, financing alternatives for long term projects, especially as they relate to public safety and economic development.  The Auditors office has been recognized the past 16 years by the Government Finance Officer’s Association with its award for Excellence in Financial Reporting and Accounting – the highest form of recognition for government accounting in the nation.  Only four first-class counties in Missouri received the award in 2004. The Auditor’s duties and responsibilities are defined in Section 55 RSMo.