PRESS RELEASE
St. Charles County Joins Treasurer Fitzpatrick’s Local Government Checkbook
Jefferson City, MO –Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick
today announced that spending data for St. Charles County is now included in
the local government checkbook. This is part of his ongoing commitment to
ensuring a more efficient and transparent government at all levels. Spending
data from seven local governments, Cass County, Cole County, Clay County,
Jasper County, Newton County, St. Charles County, and the City of St. Louis,
can be searched, with 18 additional counties in progress. The Office will
expand the number of counties as the data becomes available. Visitors to the Checkbook can
examine expenditure data detailing funds, departments, vendors, payment descriptions,
and totals for the available government entities. “I want Missourians to be able
to trust that their government is working for them and that their tax dollars
are being spent wisely—and increased transparency helps facilitate that trust,”
Treasurer Fitzpatrick said. “As our state and local governments mitigate the
impact of COVID-19 with CARES Act Funds, the data provided in the checkbook
will be even more relevant to Missouri citizens. I am grateful to the counties
who have chosen to participate and I look forward to increasing transparency,
providing more accountability, and building trust in communities as the Show-Me
Checkbook continues to grow.” “As a proponent of greater
transparency in government, I am pleased to see my own St. Charles County added
to Treasurer Fitzpatrick’s Show-Me Checkbook,” Rep. John Wiemann, Speaker Pro
Tem, said. “Our officials in St. Charles County should be applauded
for voluntarily joining this government accountability initiative and putting
their checkbook on the internet for any citizen to review and inspect. As
we work in the State Capitol to reduce spending in state government, we can
empower taxpayers with the tools to monitor spending and become
watchdogs to help identify any waste, fraud, and abuse. Governments
at every level should be leveraging technology to help save money for taxpayers
and ensure greater accountability for spending decisions.” In April, Treasurer Fitzpatrick
announced the
expansion of the Show-Me Checkbook to include local governments. Spending
data related to State CARES Act expenditures has also been aggregated in
one place on the Treasurer’s Office website. The Show-Me Checkbook, launched
by the Treasurer’s Office in 2018, is one of the most comprehensive state
financial data portals in the country. The Local Governments section of the
Show-Me Checkbook can be found here. ### Follow the Treasurer’s Office on Twitter,
Facebook, and Instagram @motreasurer.
