Arnold residents may soon hear directly from the Missouri State Auditor about an investigation tied to the controversial Arnold Parkway proposal and Mayor Bill Moritz says that presentation should happen in public, not behind closed doors.

At the start of the Arnold City Council meeting, Moritz announced that the Missouri Auditor’s Office is nearing completion of a draft audit report connected to allegations raised by residents opposed to the proposed Arnold Parkway project.

According to Moritz, the audit began in late 2024 after a group of residents unhappy with the parkway proposal asked the state to review the matter. Audit managers later attended closed sessions of the Arnold City Council in late 2024 and early 2025, and again met with city officials in July 2025 for what Moritz described as a “pre-closeout session.”

Moritz said city leaders left that July meeting believing the matter was nearly finished and that auditors had acknowledged that nothing improper or illegal had been done by the City of Arnold.

But when the auditor’s office later requested time to present its draft report to the council in closed session, Moritz said he refused.

Moritz said he formally notified the auditor on March 4 that Arnold intends to hold an open session on April 16 for that presentation instead. Because the audit is still in draft form, he said the preliminary report remains confidential for now.

The announcement was one of the most significant moments of the meeting, signaling that one of the city’s most politically sensitive matters could soon be aired publicly. For residents who have followed the Arnold Parkway debate closely, the mayor’s insistence on an open presentation marks a direct push for transparency on an issue that has generated controversy for months.

Property Owner Raises Condemnation Concerns

During public comment, Arnold resident Bill Freyley of Palmy Road told the council he had received notice of a condemnation hearing related to his property, which he believes involves road frontage connected to the parkway project.

Freyley said he had repeatedly asked city representatives to meet with him in person and explain exactly what the city plans to do on his property, including whether trees would be removed and how existing sewer lines and water meters might be affected.

He told the council he wanted transparency and written clarification rather than what he described as guesswork. Freyley also said he may now have to retain an attorney to represent him in court if the condemnation moves forward.

Council Approves Street Repair Contracts

Beyond the audit discussion, the council approved two resolutions tied to Arnold’s annual street maintenance program.

The first authorized a contract with Spencer Contracting Company for the city’s 2026 concrete street repair project. City staff said Spencer was the only bidder and has a strong track record performing quality work for Arnold.

The second approved a contract with Spencer Contracting for the 2026 asphalt overlay and repair project after the company submitted the lowest of three bids received by the city.

Both resolutions passed unanimously.

Planning Commission Reappointments and Community Updates

The council also approved the reappointment of Alan Bess and Brett Keller to the Arnold Planning Commission.

During reports, officials thanked the police department for helping reduce heavy truck traffic on Tenbrook Road, with council members saying residents have noticed a difference.

City officials also highlighted several upcoming community items, including the Back the Blue Trivia Night on March 21, the citywide brush program beginning March 23, and the Winter Market scheduled for March 14.

Still, the clearest takeaway from the night was Moritz’s decision to reject a closed-door audit presentation and instead call for the state auditor’s findings to be delivered in public. If that plan holds, Arnold residents could soon get a direct look at the results of a closely watched state review out in the open.

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