The city of Warrenton and the municipal court will undergo an audit  by the Missouri State Auditor’s office. The audit was requested by 533 residents of the city, Robert Showers, audit manager of the state office, said during Tuesday night’s regular board of aldermen meeting. Showers addressed the board for approximately 10 minutes. According to state statute an audit can be requested if 10 percent of citizens who voted in the last gubernatorial election sign the petition requesting an audit. He said the audit will begin Sept. 10 and will cost the city $50,000-$65,000. The audit will take up to two months and will include an audit of the municipal court at the same time. The state auditor’s office is required to audit the court at no charge to the city. Members of the city’s board of aldermen will receive the audit findings in a closed session and have an opportunity to respond. Results likely will be released in late winter to early spring, Showers said. Mayor Jerry Dyer said that the board and city employees will cooperate fully. “We look forward to getting started,” he said. Other Business Planning and Zoning Director Jack Hanff presented a revised site plan for improvements to the Villas at Hawthorn. The board gave approval to designs for playground equipment, sidewalk and fencing and indicated they would approve plans for storm shelters for the villas when those plans are submitted. Mayor Dyer said refund checks have been sent to season pass holders of the municipal swimming pool. The pool was closed for a two-week period while the city was under a voluntary water conservation measure. That watch has since been lifted. Mayor Dyer also commended the town’s residents and businesses, particularly Coca-Cola, for honoring the water restrictions. Steve Chidster of the Corner Bar and Grill asked the council to consider the city’s Catch the Glow event which was successful last year. This was removed from the parks and recreations plans for the upcoming year. Discussion was held later and the board voted 5-1, with Alderman John Cornell voting no, to approve the schedule which omits the event this year. That recreation schedule includes the following: Sweetheart Dance-February; Egg Hunt-March; MLB Pitch, Hit & Run-April; Farmers’ Market, June through October; Fishing Derby and British Soccer Camp-June; Pool Party for ball leagues-July; Citywide Yard Sale-July; Picnic for Soccer League, Goldfish Grab, NFL Punt, Pass & Kick  and Auto Fest-September; Circus-October; and Adult Kickball Tournament-November. The board gave unanimous approval to annexation of two incorporated areas which are contiguous to the existing city limits of Warrenton. (See separate sidebar story on property annexation.) The board also approved three policy changes submitted by Director of Operations Terri Thorn. The changes deal with capitalization and the fixed assets policy and change reporting limits for small property items. The policy dealing with bad checks also was revised to include information on how offenders can be removed from the “cash only” list. A policy on daily pool refunds also was given approval to be changed. Anyone who is at the pool when the pool has to be closed due to inclement weather will receive a pass for another day. This applies to daily pass swimmers only. Two outdated slides, which have been deemed unsafe, will be removed from Binkley Park, and not be replaced. Discussion was held on this, and it was noted that the park was designed to be primarily for walking and picnics, and playground equipment is available in other parks. In other business during the board’s Tuesday night regular meeting, Jerry Brannon, a resident of the Sunrise Drive neighborhood, thanked the police department and Chief Greg Houdyshell for increased patrol efforts in his neighborhood. He also asked the board to consider establishing a “walk day” for senior citizens for Binkley Park. He said the paved walking trails could be used for walkers and those in wheelchairs or on scooters. “We have a lot of things in the city for youth to do, but we don’t have a lot for seniors,” he said. Mayor Dyer said the request would be sent to the city’s recreation director for review. Dan Durbin asked if racks could be placed on Main Street so bike riders could lock their bikes. Permission was given to close portions of Market Street for the annual Warrenton High School Homecoming Parade from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. on Oct. 11. The board also gave approval to taking over the streetlights from the Warren County Historical Society. The King Luminaire streetlights were installed along the society’s property bordering Walton and Market streets. LeeAnn McLaughlin was hired as a crossing guard for $20 a day. Her duties were to begin Aug. 22. She is a part-time employee of the Warren County R-III School District. Chief Houdyshell reported that police officers now accompany ambulance workers on all emergency calls through a cooperative agreement and this is working well. The council also approved purchase of budgeted capital items for parks including benches, a fountain and picnic tables. The board also approved an ordinance to authorize the mayor to execute a contract between the city and Reinhold Electric for the Highway 47 lighting project. An ordinance to amend the budget was approved also, to increase the street department budget by $18,000 and the water department by $4,800 for fiscal year 2012-13.