The Department of Conservation has been cited in a recent audit by Missouri State Auditor Thomas A. Schweich for having provided pay raises that were not provided to other state employees and for having exceeded estimates to reintroduce elk in the state.
In spite of the findings, Schweich's office still rated the overall performance of the Department of Conservation as "Good."
The audit report, which was received both by the media and by the MDC late Friday morning, says that in July 2012, most state employees earning less than $70,000 per year were granted a two percent cost of living adjustment and were authorized an annual increase of $500 effective Jan. 1, 2014. The report further states that the Conservation Commission authorized a two-percent cost of living adjustment to most employees with 18 or more months of service in July 2012; but then also authorized another two percent increase effective July 1, 2013, and an anniversary hire date increase of two percent during fiscal year 2013, and another anniversary hire date raise of two percent in fiscal year 2014. Also provided was a total of $54,036 in increases to two deputy directors and four division chiefs (who also received the annual and anniversary increases), and gave the department director salary increases totaling $20,004, representing nearly a 17 percent increase in wages).
The audit also noted the MDC "did not prepare a complete and accurate estimate of costs to reintroduce elk in the state."
The approved project budget, according to Schweich, anticipated spending $411,000 to bring 150 elk into Missouri. According to the audit, as of June 30, 2011, the Conservation Department had spent $1,230,000 on the elk project. Two years later, excluding salaried personnel costs, the MDC has spent $3,381,615, which the audit states includes $1,424.186 from federal grants and private donations. A total of 129 elk have been released, the audit claims.
The audit also cited the MDC in the area of Conflicts of Interest, stating that two of the department's commissioners failed to report serving as board members of not-for-profit organizations on their financial disclosure statements, as required by state law. The audit noted that the MDC contracts with both of the not-for-profit organizations in question.
The Daily Statesman contacted The Missouri Department of Conservation in Jefferson City for comment on the audit. That response will be forthcoming and will be published as received.