PRESS RELEASE
Greene County Joins Treasurer Fitzpatrick’s Local Government Checkbook
Jefferson City, MO –Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick
today announced that spending data for Greene 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 eight local governments, Cass County, Cole County, Clay County, Greene
County, Jasper County, Newton County, St. Charles County, and the City of St.
Louis, can be searched, with 17 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.” “Greene County is pleased to
join the Local Government Checkbook,” Bob Dixon, Greene County Presiding
Commissioner said. “We make this data available to our citizens to hold
ourselves accountable and to help build trust between government and citizens.
Making this available to citizens across the state will hopefully encourage
further participation and greater understanding of local government spending.” In April, Treasurer Fitzpatrick
announced the
expansion of the Show-Me Checkbook to include local governments. Additionally,
spending
data related to State CARES Act expenditures has been aggregated in one
place on the Treasurer’s Office website. Earlier this month, Treasurer
Fitzpatrick announced that his office had an average
initial response time for Sunshine Requests of less than one day. 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.
