A petition that seeks a state audit of Brentwood's finances gained more than enough signatures for state approval on Monday, prompting resident Maureen Saunders to send the paperwork to the Missouri State Auditor's office. 

Saunders and Julie Pozzo, another Brentwood resident, started collecting signatures on Monday, July 25. They tallied 946 signatures in two weeks, and are still collecting signatures from residents who want to show their support. They needed 750 signatures to spark an audit from the state auditor. 

(See related on Patch: Residents Seek State Audit of Brentwood's Finances)

Saunders said she expects to hear back from the auditor's office within a month — the office must verify that each signature belongs to a registered voter that lives in Brentwood. It could be a few months until the audit starts, Saunders said. 

The City of Brentwood has hired companies to audit its finances in the past, but not to the extent that the state auditor would. The state auditor could examine contracts with vendors and bookkeeping practices, among other things. 

The city has previously ignored recommendations to develop "better internal control procedures," like keeping receipt logs for issuance of permits or documenting the use of city-issued gasoline credit cards, notes the hired auditor in a 2009 report.  

The city's 2010 audit was delivered to Mayor Pat Kelly just before the July 18 Brentwood Board of Aldermen meeting, said Kelly to the gathered residents at the meeting. As of August 8, city officials have refused multiple requests by Maplewood-Brentwood Patch to share the findings of that audit, saying it would become available once it is reviewed by the Brentwood Ways and Means Committee.

Residents interested in more information about the petition for a state audit may reach Saunders atmoeandmatt1@sbcglobal.net and Pozzo at julpozzo@yahoo.com.