Saline County resident Jill Hollabaugh submitted several follow-up questions to the county commission, which were answered via a news release during its meeting on Thursday, January 21.

Q: Who is managing and/or coordinating the forensic audit on behalf of Saline County?

A: BKD, of Springfield, hired through the commission.

Q: Have the auditors completed their audit work, internal interviews and final sign off?

A: All requested information has been given up to this point. There may be more information requested.

Q: When will the report be issued?

A: Possibly the end of January, if no other discovery is needed.

The county has contracted with Flotron & McIntosh (FM) to be an advisor with the multimillion dollar economic-development project at Marshall Junction. FM is being paid $5,000 per month for its guidance. There is no signed contract with FM, and the county can terminate the agreement at any time with 30 days notice.

Q:What communication did the county have with FM since January 14?

A: None.

Q: Community Improvement District (CID) and Transportation Development District (TDD) are both taxing districts and not homeowners associations as previously stated by the commission. Why did FM advise for the possible need for a new taxing district related to the junction economic-development project?

A: The explanation was not that CID and TDD are homeowners’ associations, but are “like” in the sense it was a section/area of the county that is set apart. It is set apart for taxing and rules purposes. The county sought advice based on the developers questions. Again, this project is on hold.

The commission further explained a CID is a local special taxing district that collects revenue with its designated boundaries to pay for specific public facilities, improvements or services. CIDs are created by ordinance of the local governing body of a municipality upon presentation of petition signed by owners or real property within the program proposed district’s boundaries, typically encompassing a commercial, not a residential area. A CID, although approved by the local municipality, is a separate political subdivision with the power to govern itself and impose and collect special assessments, additional property and sales taxes. CIDs may also generate funds by fees, rents or charges for district property or services and through grants, gifts or donations. CID annual reports are filed with the clerk of the creating disability and a copy filed with the Department of Economic Development, which does not have oversight or audit responsibility for these districts.

A TDD may be created by the Missouri Highways & Transportation Commission if the project involves any other state highways or transportation systems to fund or operate one or more project that would assist the promotion, design, construction, improvement or operations of this infrastructure. A separate political subdivision of the state, a TDD project includes any public bridge, street, highway, intersection, signing signals, parking lot, bus stop, garage, terminal, aircraft hangar, rest area, dock, wharf, river port, airport, railroad, light rail and any similar or related transportation infrastructure. If the project is not intended to be merged into the state’s highways or transportation system, in addition to the Transportation Commission, the district must also submit the proposed project to the local transportation authority that will become the owner of the project. Funding tolls may also be charged to users of certain infrastructure, such as bridges or highways, with the approval of a majority of qualified voters in the district. The Department of Economic Development does not maintain any data pertaining to individual districts.

Q: Did the county submit the recent FM payments to security Bank for reimbursement?

A: The last three payments have been made from the county.

Q: Please provide a detailed update on what work is being done on behalf of Saline County (by the commission)?

A: The water line has started on H Road; Rich Rhodes- the county’s engineer for projects- is still investigating possible sewer systems for design; road crews are still working on road maintenance.

Q: Is the county finished with the CARES Act project?

A: All of the money has been disbursed. The state will audit, and so will our third-party audit (firm) hired by the county.