(From Stotts City Mayor Tracy Knight)
On the evening of May 22, 2026, more than 25 residents attended the scheduled Stotts City Council meeting seeking answers regarding the recently released audit findings, city financial concerns, infrastructure issues, and other matters affecting the community.
Due to the absence of all the Board of Aldermen, the City Collector/Clerk, and the Water/Sewer Chief Operator, the City was unable to establish a quorum necessary to conduct an official Board of Aldermen meeting.As a result, residents were unable to directly address questions and concerns to several city officials expected to be present.
Mayor Tracy Knight remained present throughout the gathering to hear resident concerns, discuss information currently available to the administration, and reaffirm the City’s commitment to improving transparency and accountability moving forward.
“The residents of Stotts City showed up tonight expecting answers and accountability from their local government,” said Mayor Knight. “I understand the frustration expressed by many members of the community. Citizens deserve officials who are willing to engage openly with the public regarding serious matters affecting the City.”
Mayor Knight further stated that while Missouri law limits the unilateral authority of the Mayor in matters requiring Board action, the administration will continue pursuing corrective action efforts related to the audit findings and advocating for greater transparency in city operations.
“The concerns raised by residents are legitimate and deserve to be addressed publicly and professionally,” Mayor Knight stated. “Avoiding difficult conversations only damages public trust further. My commitment remains to the people of Stotts City, and I will continue showing up, listening, and working toward solutions.”
The Mayor’s Office announced that ongoing efforts will continue in the following areas:
• Development of corrective action measures related to audit findings
• Increased transparency regarding city financial matters
• Improved public communication and access to information
• Strengthened oversight and accountability efforts
• Continued engagement with residents regarding city concerns
Mayor Knight thanked the residents who attended and encouraged continued public participation in local government processes.
“The future of Stotts City depends on an informed and engaged community,” Mayor Knight said. “The voices of our residents matter, and they will continue to be heard.”
10 comments:
Let’s keep in mind that one alderman had a medical reason for not attending. The mayor was notified by email and text that the alderman wouldn’t be attending. There was also communication regarding a second alderman and the city clerk/collector and water supervisor. So it was no surprise that those people would not be attending. The mayor had been notified.
They shut that meeting down just like Todd Akin's last campaign!
Im sure all alderman water and sewer people on the board has seen the post about the audit. For them not to show up looks as if they are hiding things. You are handling our hard earned money of course we are upset. You are suppose to be for us and you’re not doing a very good job at that. 2 of the people on the board was seen driving in town before the meeting. Weird. But you couldn’t come to the meeting. Or how about the city water lady turn over the documents asked of her. I believe it’s corrupt and how come the attorney general hasn’t been contacted. Or how bout y’all just resign where your not wanted. It’s time the town get the money back thats been taken illegally.
If you're from Stotts City you don't need expensive bean counters in suits to tell you how to do your job. You just keep doing it like it's always been done!
I'm sure after seeing that the Audit was on the agenda the council members were getting nervous! So since one alderman couldn't make it, another one could drive by a couple of times but not attend! REALLY !!!! The water lady refuses to provide books to the mayor? The City Lawyer refuses to talk to the Mayor because the council refuses to give permission for her to speak to her! What are they hiding? Why are we paying Julie and Nicki as two people when it's only one person? Also thee know there is a . Steve and n Jacob who is one person ? Sure sound fishy to me ! The City Council doesn't understand We the City People are tired of being ran over, robbed , lied to and ignored when we ask for them to provide paperwork or help . We are taking our City back so dont fight us, give us our town back!!!What don't all of you City council members resign along with the water lady. . When the audit is discussed you all might wish you had of!
Did you think maybe they were seen driving OUT of town. Did you think about that. Also if you read the ENTIRE audit it appears the city officials are already implementing the changes needed. These are elected positions by the citizens so…..obviously the majority of the citizens want them in office!
I seen no misuse of money stated in the audit just clerical errors.
Keep seeing all these comments about things that are being done wrong like billing errors and missing documents or no compliance but have seen no proof.
So many love drama and feed it with lies(words) why hasn’t anyone asked for proof!!
Again if you really read the audit you see no proof of fraud, embezzlement, missing funds, or outright illegal activity.
It astonishes me the ignorance of some. If the council is hiding stuff like you claim then where are you getting your information about who is getting paid, the lawyer supposed refusal to speak to the mayor?
Please explain how you think you are being robbed when the audit CLEARLY states otherwise?
What so called “paperwork or information” has been refused to be shown to citizens?
You can blast people with words but yours sounds empty!!
How are citizens supposed to have confidence in the handling of public funds when the city allegedly cannot produce proper budgets, financial records, or publish financial information the way the law requires? How are they supposed to have proof if the city fails to do their job. By failing to do their job tells them that the city is hiding something it. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Someone had made the comment on a different post that the city officials need more training. Why? After being in office for 6 + years they should know how to do their jobs. If not why don't they reach out to the state of Missouri and city officials groups and ask questions and learn how to do their job? Just asking for a friend. Transparency laws exist for a reason. Citizens should not have to fight to see where taxpayer money is going, how funds are being spent, or whether ordinances and procedures were properly followed. When records are missing, incomplete, or unavailable, it naturally creates concern and raises questions within the community.
Then add in utility increases allegedly passed without a proper ordinance, along with ordinance violations that were determined by Lawrence County courts to have been improperly issued and not legally served. Residents had to miss work, hire attorneys, and defend themselves over citations that were found defective in court.
Then in 2025, additional ordinance violations were issued to citizens on the same day in August and were later dismissed by the Honorable Judge Trotter after the court identified serious procedural issues, including that the violations were issued in a mass manner and signed by the mayor rather than the city attorney. That raises further concerns about whether proper legal process is being followed in the enforcement of city ordinances.
This is about accountability. Public officials are entrusted with taxpayer money and legal authority. Citizens are absolutely justified in expecting transparency, lawful procedures, accurate records, and compliance with Missouri law.
Hey since you know all things Stotts City let's talk about the past Mayor Amy McCullough, her husband, the water boy, and the collector/clerk sitting around after an meeting and threatening to unlive people in town or the water boy who drives around drunk and pushes disabled elderly citizens down in the street. Or the past Mayor Timothy Blankenship googling how to hire a hit man for $5k and told what he told the FBI about that. Now my question to you is would you like me to continue to tell the world about the stuff that goes on in this town that is at the hands of the city officials, and believe me when I say I have photos and proof of it all. I think you need to go sit down in the corner before the world learns about the officials being seen at local drug house doing dope, and so much more.
My dog ate my homework but I still got a F
The best thing you can say about Stotts City is that they don'ty have an Epstein Files problem. That murder well problem though...
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