(From Stotts City Mayor Tracy Knight)Mayor Tracy Knight announced today that she has formally requested that City Clerk Julia Perriman consider resigning following the release of the Missouri State Auditor’s report identifying significant deficiencies in the City’s financial controls, administrative procedures, recordkeeping practices, and overall governmental operations.
The State Auditor’s report outlines numerous areas requiring corrective action and highlights the need for stronger financial oversight, improved internal controls, enhanced transparency, and more effective administrative practices.
Mayor Knight emphasized that responsibility for addressing the audit findings extends beyond any single office and will require cooperation among elected officials, City administration, and municipal staff.
“The audit findings reveal serious issues that must be addressed if we are to restore public confidence in City government,” Mayor Knight stated. “While responsibility for corrective action is shared across City government, I believe the City should carefully consider whether new administrative leadership is necessary to successfully implement the reforms identified by the State Auditor.”
Mayor Knight stated that her request is based on the need to restore confidence and provide the City with the strongest possible foundation for implementing corrective
The Mayor further stated that her administration remains committed to implementing all appropriate audit recommendations and strengthening accountability throughout City government.
Priority initiatives include:
• Implementation of all applicable audit recommendations.
• Strengthening financial controls and oversight procedures.
• Improving transparency and public access to information.
• Establishing stronger administrative policies and recordkeeping practices.
• Enhancing accountability throughout City operations.
• Restoring public trust in municipal government.
“The residents of Stotts City deserve a government that is transparent, accountable, and responsive,” Mayor Knight stated. “My focus remains on ensuring that the City learns from these findings, implements meaningful reforms, and moves forward in a manner that serves the best interests of our community.”
Mayor Knight encouraged residents to remain engaged throughout the corrective-action process and reaffirmed her commitment to open government and public accountability.
25 comments:
Kinda seems odd that the clerk she is asking to resign is not the clerk that was in place when the errors took place but yet she’s the one being asked to resign?? However, the current mayor was in office as an alderwoman when these errors were made.
When did Mrs Perriman become city clerk? If it was not in 2024 then she deserves the opportunity to help not be blamed for someone else’s lack of knowledge. This Mayor Knight seems to have a problem with the city officials maybe she should try working with them then against them.
Mrs. Perriman was serving as City Clerk during part of 2024, so it is fair to discuss her role in issues identified during that period. While no one should be blamed for actions that occurred before they took office, the audit findings and the city’s records reflect concerns that arose during overlapping periods of city administration.
Furthermore, Mrs. Perriman served as City Collector for more than six years before becoming City Clerk. If there were questions about legal requirements, financial controls, recordkeeping, or compliance with state law, she had years of experience in city administration and access to the city attorney for guidance. Public officials have a responsibility to either know the requirements of their office or seek clarification when needed.
The audit identified significant concerns regarding financial controls, recordkeeping, compliance, and oversight. These concerns have been raised as ongoing issues, and citizens continue to question whether sufficient corrective action has been taken to fully address them. Citizens can review the audit themselves and draw their own conclusions about whether meaningful improvements have been implemented.
Before Mrs. Perriman became Clerk, the Clerk and Collector positions were separate, providing an important system of checks and balances. The current structure combines those responsibilities, and concerns have been raised about whether that change reduced independent oversight. It is also understood that she signs checks related to city finances, which previously required separation of duties and multiple levels of review. Even if a prior mayor approved these practices, citizens may still question whether they meet best practices for internal controls and accountability.
Additionally, regarding meeting history, Mrs. Knight made objections while serving as an alderman. She served in that role for a short period before becoming mayor. During that time, she is documented in official records as having objected to certain actions taken by the Board on multiple occasions. However, concerns have also been raised about whether all objections, comments, or discussions are consistently reflected in written minutes. Where minutes are incomplete, citizens may need to review additional sources such as meeting recordings and agendas to fully understand what occurred.
Overall, these issues highlight the importance of transparency, accurate recordkeeping, and strong internal controls in local government. Citizens deserve complete and accurate meeting records, proper financial safeguards, and assurance that no single individual has unchecked control over both records and financial processes.
Ms Perriman has been the city collector of the water bills for a long time. Anyone who isn't sure can look at the original audit report for public info. The Mayor on duty for the audit period is still an alderman. Most, not all committee members were fully aware that what they were doing was sketchy and unethical. The entire board of alderman should be bumped and required to be reelected.
Yea the problem is they don’t want to do things the right way. Go watch any of the videos posted from previous town meetings. They should all be fired. Obviously none of them want to do things the right way. They don’t like that the mayor calls them out on wrong doing. And I’d say from these 2 comments already posted your one of them. Or the wife of them.
State Auditors report indicates that at Dec 31 2024 Tracy Knight was not an Alderman Tracy Knight replaced Helen Garroute in June of 2025
State Auditors report indicates that at Dec 31 2024 Julia Perriman was not the city clerk. Julia Perriman replaced Serina Fulp in June of 2025. Ms Fulp had replaced Deborah Shoen in April 2024.
Probably cousins a few ways as well!
where are the videos posted??? looked in the obvious places but had no luck
thanks
Do the same errors found by the State Auditor continue under Julia Perriman? If they do, then maybe she IS part of the problem!
Maybe she has tried working with them but these same individuals are not willing to work with her due to the fact that are afraid that their corruption will be brought to light. Jokes on them though because their corruption has already been brought to light. It's just a matter of time before everyone gets to see it with their own eyes. So for Sara Blankenship which made the comment about Julia not being the clerk during the time that the Audit was referring to! Well Mrs Blankenship you know as well as everyone else in Stotts City that You and your husband Tim Blankenship, Julia and Jacob Perriman have done everything you could do to lie, cheat and steal from everyone in Stotts City for years. You act like you are better than everyone else and you think everyone in that town is ignorant and uneducated so you feel it's okay to screw them and act like they wouldn't catch in. Well it looks like there have been a few people that has moved into Stotts City in the last few years that are a little bit smarter than you corrupt people thought. You thought you could rig the election for mayor this time like every other time. You never thought Tracey would win the election for mayor but she did. You never expected people like to Jeremy Tune or Zac Lawrence to be smart enough to catch on to what you guys have been doing. You thought you guys were untouchable, you had Lawrence county sheriff's department on your side because of the lies you told them about other people, you had citizens believing your lies about others because you all used GOD as a disguise for your evil because your husband pretended to be a follower of GOD and he pretended that he believed in what he preached. You guys are the furthest thing from a Christian a person can be. None of you have earned anything that you guys have, but I can guarantee that what you all are about to get, you have earned it and every bit of it. I can tell you now there isn't going to be anyone feeling sorry for any of you. I hope you all have the day you deserve
She has been involved in collections for some time and is also the current clerk continuing to bill residents illegally.
If the glove doesn't fit you must acquit!
State Auditor's report indicates that on December 31, 2024 Julia Perriman was the City Collector.
State Auditor's report also says that on December 31, 2024 someone named Jacob Perriman was on the Stotts City payroll as Chief Operator (water and sewer) so is he any relation to Julia Perriman?
How clueless must some people be to use this sad defense?
How convenient to label the problems in Stotts City as a "lack of knowledge."
Try better next time!
Im not from stotts city but just wondering why the people making anonymous comments dont have nerve enough to include their name
Im not from stotts city but apparently there are too many cowards that wont include their name instead of making anonymous comments
Yes, the problems continue, and there has been no meaningful effort to correct them. The board has described the issues as a lack of training, but that raises the question of why someone would be placed in a position without the necessary qualifications or oversight.
Concerns have also been raised about the creation and presentation of documents to the mayor, including budgets dated 2024, 2025, and 2026. These documents reflect the city budgeting for an audit in years when no such audit had been formally petitioned or approved.
In addition, multiple aldermen—both past and present—have stated they never approved a budget, which raises further concerns about the accuracy and validity of the city’s financial records.
Overall, there are significant issues beyond what has been identified in the audit, and they warrant serious review and accountability.
Says the one that is commenting about being cowards and commenting yourself as anonymous.
I guess you are a fine one to wonder about
why the people making anonymous comments dont have nerve enough to include their name
WHEN YOU DON'T INCLUDE YOUR NAME!
Oh Lord we have resorted to name calling and being a bully again. Why are you so worried about who we are? Oh wait I recognize this attitude. I know who you are and you are definitely from Stotts City. Why are you commenting as anonymous, if you don't like it when we do it?
“If thou hast not conquer’d thy self in that which is thy own particular Weakness, thou hast no Title to Virtue, tho’ thou art free of other Men’s. For a Covetous Man to inveigh against Prodigality, an Atheist against Idolatry, a Tyrant against Rebellion, or a Lyer against Forgery, and a Drunkard against Intemperance, is for the Pot to call the Kettle black.”
As Quinton from October Sky might say – “PRODIGIOIUS”
as posted by Mayor Knight June 10 2026 on the City of Stotts City FB page with respect to "anonymous" posting/questions the following is offered "My responsibility is to listen to the people of Stotts City and bring their concerns and recommendations forward. I will continue to report on the issues raised and the recommendations received, but I will also protect the privacy of residents who participate so they can engage without fear of retaliation, intimidation, or personal attacks." sounds reasoned and thoughtful, yes???
So the current mayor was an alderman in recent years while Julia Perriman was also serving? Why is the mayor just now concerned? Why was she not asking questions as an alderman?
If the entire board needs to be gotten rid of, it sounds like this would include the mayor.
Here is the audit for people to read for themselves.
You can’t take the word of people who are to illiterate to understand the truth of the audit.
It’s being misconstrued in the worst ways.
The mayor was an alderman in recent years and voted right along with the other alderman. So, if she is riled up over all this, she was a part of the problem at one time.
https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2026042&token=8700662985
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