MALDEN, Mo. - The Malden City Council on Monday debated a call from Ward 3 Councilman Charles Dierks to request a full compliance audit by the Missouri State Auditor's Office, covering the city government, the Board of Public Works and the municipal airport. Dierks said residents in his ward had raised concerns and wanted answers, prompting his motion for an outside review of financial practices and procedures. Several council members questioned what specific issues the audit should address and noted that the state requires a clear statement of purpose before accepting a request. Mayor Denton Kooyman told the council he had already contacted the State Auditor's Office, which outlined three pathways for review, including a council-approved resolution. City staff reported they had begun gathering bank statements and credit-card records for a preliminary assessment, which the state can conduct at no cost. After discussion about the audit's scope, the time involved and whether certain items raised by Dierks included confidential closed-session matters, the council voted 5-3 to direct the city attorney to prepare a formal resolution To be considered at December‘s meeting. Malden Chief Financial Officer Angela Earnhardt delivered the municipality’s October 2025 financial report, detailing the city’s cash position, fund balances and upcoming audit schedule. Earnhardt reported that the city’s general fund held $1,340,628.49 at the close of October. She noted that all federal COVID-19 relief funding has now been fully expended, leaving a zero balance in that category. Other fund balances include: Sanitary Fund: $166,276.19 Park Local Tax Fund: $37,976.05 Frisco Park Splash Pad Fund: $130,798.80 Malden Department of Economic Development: $43,209.98 Street Capital Project Fund: $0 Waste Management Fund: $6,306.92 Capital Improvement Fund: $504,175.38 The city’s total cash and cash equivalents equal $2,283,296.36, Earnhardt said. Malden’s total outstanding city debt stands at $1,683,266.40 as of the end of the month. Earnhardt also informed the council that the city’s auditors will arrive the week of Dec. 1 to begin work on the FY 2024–25 annual audit. She then opened the floor for questions from the body. The Council also heard from newly appointed Malden Nutrition Center Director Pam White, who outlined ongoing funding challenges at the center and options for sustaining operations. Mayor Kooyman announced he is no longer associated with the center and said White has assumed the role of executive director. He also said White and a group of volunteers recently raised about $40,000, enough to keep the center operating for the next six months. With long-term funding still uncertain, the council is now considering placing a city sales and use tax proposal on the April ballot to generate more than $80,000 annually to support the center. Council members agreed to review tax options and expect to consider an ordinance at their December meeting to meet ballot deadlines. White told the council the center serves about 75 in-house meals daily and provides 45 weekly home-delivered meal boxes, but rising food and labor costs have strained its budget. She thanked the city for covering the building and utility costs, noting that without that support the center would have closed sooner. The council voted to have staff research the tax proposal and present recommendations next month. The council voted to approve the Human Resources Committee’s recommendations, including revisions to the job description for a deputy clerk position and updates to bookkeeping duties. Council members discussed changes that would allow the deputy clerk, whether part-time or full-time, to be cross-trained to work at both the city window and the Board of Public Works (BPW) window. Malden Department of Public Safety Exec Director Jeff Mitchell, acting in place of a city administrator, said the added flexibility would help prevent service disruptions when staff members are absent or unavailable. “I want them to be cross-trained with the BPW window and the city window so they can help out on both sides,” an official explained during the meeting, noting that short staffing has occasionally forced temporary closures. “With this setup, we won’t ever have to shut down.” The updated deputy clerk job description includes BPW-related responsibilities that were not previously listed, officials said. Council members also approved a change to the bookkeeper’s job description to formally include human resources duties. The adjustment reflects the city’s plan to assign HR responsibilities to the bookkeeper going forward. During discussion, one member raised concerns about salary allocation for employees who work across both city and BPW operations. Officials clarified that some positions already have their pay split between funds, depending on the work performed. A motion to accept the HR Committee’s recommendations, with corrections adding BPW cross-training to the deputy clerk duties, passed with no opposition. Council on Monday approved an ordinance authorizing an agreement between the city and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for an airport improvement grant tied to an ongoing pavement study. Council members passed the measure Unanimouslyon both readings, clearing the way for the mayor to sign the agreement required for the previously awarded grant. No members raised objections or concerns during discussion. Council voted 6–2 on Monday to remove a previously approved time frame tied to redevelopment of the property at 100 South Madison, commonly known as the former Pizza Express site. Mayor Kooyman said Judge John Welch, who is overseeing matters regarding the property, was reluctant to set a construction deadline, prompting the issue to return to the council. Members noted the owner has indicated the project will likely be completed by summer but preferred not to commit to a formal schedule. After discussion, the council agreed to eliminate the time limit, with the option to consider future extensions if needed. A lengthy exchange unfolded Monday after Dierks distributed a packet of questions he said came from constituents, prompting Mayor Kooyman and several council members to question the timing, accuracy and origin of the information. Mayor Kooyman objected that some items referenced closed-session matters unlikely to be known publicly and noted that citizens may bring concerns during the council’s 15-minute public comment period, which no one used. Ward 1 Council Member Lynette Jenkins also disputed that past submissions by Dierks had been simple requests for information, saying they often resembled accusations. City Attorney Chidister clarified that one question in the packet involving a former city administrator’s contract could be answered by reviewing documents already posted online. After additional debate, including discussion of past utility issues, power plant failures and prior board actions, the council proceeded with a motion from Dierks, seconded by Council Member Rose Downs, to request preparation of a resolution seeking a full state compliance audit. The measure passed 5–3. Chidister advised that the actual resolution will be presented for adoption at the Dec. 15 meeting, at which point the mayor would have the authority to veto it if he chooses. City Clerk Jessie Cobb reported Monday that 2025 tax bills were mailed Nov. 8, with assistance from staff and BPW workers, marking one of the fastest turnarounds the city has achieved. Cobb said the office has been busy since bills began arriving in residents’ mailboxes and also provided updates on several infrastructure studies underway through the Board of Public Works. Cobb reported an engineering review of the wastewater collection system is in progress to evaluate inflow and infiltration issues, and BPW is preparing additional engineering evaluations of the city’s electric infrastructure and water wells following recent water-quality concerns. Cobb said engineers will assess well pumps, chlorine levels and potential contamination sources, and noted that work on a looping project near the airport is expected to improve water circulation and treatment times. During discussion, council members questioned how the city will prevent further well contamination and whether previous problems could recur. Cobb said staff continue to monitor chlorine levels closely and that BPW and hired engineers are taking proactive steps after warnings from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources that another bad sample could prompt corrective actions by the state. Ward 2 Councilor Robert House addressed city business, including the resignation of Board of Public Works member Clark Duckett. House called for Duckett’s removal, citing mismanagement, including $3 million in debt accumulated while Duckett served, and alleged removal of meters from the power plant that prevented use of natural gas for heating. “The people of the city of Malden do not want him on there anymore,” House said. “He came here for 25 years and things are getting worse.” Chidister explained the process, noting any removal would require a formal motion with specific charges, proof of cause, and a trial-like hearing before the council. “If a majority of the council and the mayor believe there was a violation of law, ordinance, or policy, then the office would be vacated,” Chidister said. The council agreed to place the matter on the December agenda, with House submitting charges in advance. Mayor Kooyman addressed upcoming meetings, saying, December’s meeting will be on the 15th. “We are going to put a union committee together… December 19th, we will have building code and planning and zoning, time permitting.” He praised Mitchell and Cobb for adapting to city changes: “I think they’ve done an amazing job… change is sometimes good, sometimes not. It can be a little rough.” Kooyman also highlighted community programs, including the annual “Shop with a Hero” initiative. “As a firefighter myself, it’s fun taking those kids around and let them shop. Some of them try to buy for their parents,” he said. He encouraged councilors to schedule meetings with him in advance for questions, rather than seeking immediate answers during sessions. “Most of our records are online… if you have questions, call me up, set a time. I’ll meet with you,” he said, adding that due diligence by both councilors and residents is critical. The mayor closed his report by noting that while city ordinances and committee updates take time, “I will inform you as those come up … any businesses or citizens who want to donate, help out the Shop with a Hero.” The Malden city council meets At 6pm on the third Monday of every month At the Malden City Hall within the Malden community center. The public is encouraged to attend.