Bates County faces a looming fiscal
Bates County faces a looming fiscal concern having to do with
our non-compliance with the ARPA funds we received from the
Federal Treasury. This is nearly a four-year ongoing issue that
has come to light and needs immediate resolution.
Bates County Commission applied for American Rescue Plan
Act (ARPA) funds on May 11, 2021. This is the Coronavirus
State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) that is managed by the
Treasury of the Federal Government. The application contract,
signed by the Presiding Commissioner, clearly stipulates that
the County will report to the Treasury on an annual basis
where the funds were disbursed. The Presiding Commissioner
has individually maintained full control of the administrative
portal to the SLFRF through the United States Treasury.
A County Detail Account Report for date range of January 2022
through February 18, 2025 shows that the County disbursed
$3,152,674.73 to local entities of Bates County Water
Districts, Cities, Rural and Volunteer Fire Departments,
Community Food Pantries, Fair Board and Ministry Alliances.
Source: Bates County Clerk's Office.
There have been 92 communications from the Treasury, and/or
the Missouri Association of Counties to the Bates County
Commissioners that were either ignored or not responded to
and 30 were not even opened, by any of the commissioners.
Source: County Commissioners Gmail accounts.
First reporting that was due was April 30, 2022 for period
ending March 31, 2022. The amount of disbursements for this
period is in the amount of $1,555,477.00. This was not
reported, nor responded to by any of our commissioners.
our non-compliance with the ARPA funds we received from the
Federal Treasury. This is nearly a four-year ongoing issue that
has come to light and needs immediate resolution.
Bates County Commission applied for American Rescue Plan
Act (ARPA) funds on May 11, 2021. This is the Coronavirus
State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) that is managed by the
Treasury of the Federal Government. The application contract,
signed by the Presiding Commissioner, clearly stipulates that
the County will report to the Treasury on an annual basis
where the funds were disbursed. The Presiding Commissioner
has individually maintained full control of the administrative
portal to the SLFRF through the United States Treasury.
A County Detail Account Report for date range of January 2022
through February 18, 2025 shows that the County disbursed
$3,152,674.73 to local entities of Bates County Water
Districts, Cities, Rural and Volunteer Fire Departments,
Community Food Pantries, Fair Board and Ministry Alliances.
Source: Bates County Clerk's Office.
There have been 92 communications from the Treasury, and/or
the Missouri Association of Counties to the Bates County
Commissioners that were either ignored or not responded to
and 30 were not even opened, by any of the commissioners.
Source: County Commissioners Gmail accounts.
First reporting that was due was April 30, 2022 for period
ending March 31, 2022. The amount of disbursements for this
period is in the amount of $1,555,477.00. This was not
reported, nor responded to by any of our commissioners.
Per an email to all commissioners dated February 10, 2025,
this period is now Administratively closed and the County will
need to repay this amount back.
A regular audit of the County was concluded on December 31,
2022, had a finding concerning the ARPA funds, and finding
that the County did not have adequate internal control over
the program to identify and comply with the requirements of
the contract and warning that costs may be disallowed.
Source: Independent Auditor's Reports and Supplementary
Information, dated December 31, 2022 performed by Daniel
Jones & Associates, Certified Public Accountants.
Second reporting that was due was April 30, 2023 for period
ending March 31, 2023. The amount of disbursements for this
period is in the amount of $1,535,539.51. This was not
reported, nor responded to by any of our commissioners. Per
an email to all commissioners dated February 10, 2025, this
period is now Administratively closed and the County will need
to repay this amount back.
Third reporting that was due was April 30, 2024 for period
ending March 31, 2024. The amount of disbursements for this
period is in the amount of $61,658.22. This was not reported,
nor responded to by any of our commissioners as of yet. This
amount, if reported by April 30, 2025, may not require repayment.
The important facts of this concern is that the residents of
Bates County Missouri will be held accountable to repay the
full amount of the 2022 and 2023 closed years which amount
to a total of $3,152,674.73.
this period is now Administratively closed and the County will
need to repay this amount back.
A regular audit of the County was concluded on December 31,
2022, had a finding concerning the ARPA funds, and finding
that the County did not have adequate internal control over
the program to identify and comply with the requirements of
the contract and warning that costs may be disallowed.
Source: Independent Auditor's Reports and Supplementary
Information, dated December 31, 2022 performed by Daniel
Jones & Associates, Certified Public Accountants.
Second reporting that was due was April 30, 2023 for period
ending March 31, 2023. The amount of disbursements for this
period is in the amount of $1,535,539.51. This was not
reported, nor responded to by any of our commissioners. Per
an email to all commissioners dated February 10, 2025, this
period is now Administratively closed and the County will need
to repay this amount back.
Third reporting that was due was April 30, 2024 for period
ending March 31, 2024. The amount of disbursements for this
period is in the amount of $61,658.22. This was not reported,
nor responded to by any of our commissioners as of yet. This
amount, if reported by April 30, 2025, may not require repayment.
The important facts of this concern is that the residents of
Bates County Missouri will be held accountable to repay the
full amount of the 2022 and 2023 closed years which amount
to a total of $3,152,674.73.
