Patrol investigating Greenville finances

GREENVILLE, Mo. -- As the Missouri State Highway Patrol begins an investigation into the city of Greenville's finances, it appears the conflict that has followed the town of about 500 since April will not end anytime soon.

But residents seem determined to move forward, with volunteers from local Masonic and Kiwanis groups stepping in to take over the annual Fourth of July celebration for cash-strapped town officials.

More than $10,000 in cash and equipment also have been donated by local residents in an effort to relieve some of the debt newly elected officials said they are facing.

The city council voted Tuesday to take out a $40,000 line of credit from First Midwest Bank against city equipment.

This will help pay what Mayor Carroll Rainwater and other council members said is more than $30,000 in accumulated bills, some dating back to 2014.

"We can't pay the bills until I do that," Rainwater said.

The council also decided to begin collecting a minimum bill of $17.50 for water and sewer services, an increase passed by the previous council.

This will help the city's financial situation, according to the discussion.

More raises may be ahead, but council members discussed increasing rates slowly.

Rainwater has alleged he left office in 2007 with a city fund balance of more than $128,000.

Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Jackson has requested the highway patrol investigate missing city funds of more than $100,000.

"I have been advised that there may be a substantial amount of money ... missing from the city's accounts, and further that financial and computer records are missing or destroyed," Jackson wrote in a letter dated April 21.

Jackson asked the patrol to take over the investigation because of possible conflicts of interest.

The city also is petitioning the state to conduct an audit, council members said.

Regardless of the conflict continuing to brew between current and past officials -- Rainwater and council member Larry Burchard started their terms with accusations of assault and stalking respectively by now-former city clerk Pam Birmingham -- residents have come to council meetings to ask how they can help.

Tuesday night, organizers for the Fourth of July festivities asked for a street to be cordoned off to hold outhouse races and talked about how quickly booth space has filled up.

Last month, the city received $500 from a civic organization to pay for fireworks.

While it may be up to law enforcement to determine who is right or wrong, residents are coming forward with donations of cash and labor, something the council doesn't see as unusual.

"These people have always been that way," Rainwater said. "It's really been a help.

Pertinent address:

Greenville, Mo.