The Clay County Clerk’s Office has earned a four-out-of-five-star rating in a follow-up audit after resolving three of four areas identified for improvement by state auditors in 2020.

The June 2026 review by the Clay County Auditor’s Office found improvements in the clerk’s handling of licensing receipts, deposit transmittals and check endorsements. Voided transactions remained the only unresolved area, with auditors recommending additional steps to improve tracking and documentation.

Clay County Auditor Victor Hurlbert recently presented the follow-up findings to the Clay County Commission, explaining the review stems from a citizen-petitioned state audit launched after more than 9,000 residents signed a petition in 2018 seeking an audit of county government.

The Missouri State Auditor’s Office began its audit that winter and released the first of several reports in April 2020. That report focused on the County Clerk’s Office and specifically its licensing activities, including licenses …