BEVERLY HILLS • The state auditor's office has resumed an audit of the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District that was halted last year because of lack of access to district records.

The auditors resumed their work at Northeast's administration building early this week.

Last spring, auditors reported several difficulties while auditing the district. Among them, they were locked out of a building where they had been examining records, according to Auditor Susan Montee.

Montee's office began auditing Northeast in late 2008. A partial audit released in November called the district the worst of more than 300 agencies the state had audited.

The district's leadership has changed, and Northeast appears to be complying with the auditor's requests.

Anyone with information or concerns may call the state auditor's toll-free hot line at 800-347-8597, or write to the auditor at P.O. Box 869, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102, or via e-mail, at moaudit@auditor.mo.gov. The auditor's office says all information will be kept confidential.