The race for county auditor is between Republican Laura Waldon and independent incumbent Kevin Robinson.
LAURA WALDON
Waldon, 64, is from Kansas City. Widowed, she has three adult children and holds a degree in management accounting. She received a certified pubic accountant license in 1999.
Waldon said her experience includes 40 years in private sector, Kansas City area businesses.
“I began my career as an accounts payable clerk and quickly advanced to positions that included controller, trust accountant, central region director, IT manager, vice president, and eventually president of 5 multi million dollar international companies.”
She also worked as an independent accountant, tax professional and management advisor.
Waldon said Platte County taxpayers are frustrated with rising taxes and the inability to get answers from elected officials in many offices.
“When I began reviewing the outside audits, I found disturbing discrepancies in the financial records. The deeper I dug, the more I realized how badly the county deserved an accounting professional in the auditor’s (office). The next logical step was for me to stop waiting for someone to step up, and instead use my knowledge and expertise to improve our county operations for all citizens.”
Waldon said throughout her 40-year accounting career, she spent time working on mergers and acquisitions. These transactions have direct impacts on employees and customers, and she said she can combine resources effectively.
“I’ll engage with every department to bring the necessary collaboration needed to serve the citizens. We’re a first class county, and our citizens deserve first class service.”
Waldon said the most pressing problems facing the county are excessive administrative growth, lack of oversight and lack of accountability.
“Much of the excessive administrative growth has to do with a failure to modernize systems and a lack of accountability to the taxpayers. I will prepare a historical financial statement, and multi-year forecast budget that will be accessible online to all citizens. The transparency into the revenues and expenses, by department, will allow citizens to hold every elected official accountable. In addition, I will work closely with all elected officials to find cost effective systems.”
Waldon said the auditor is the watchdog for taxpayers and she would annually audit every department to ensure compliance with state statutes and county ordinances. The results would be posted online.
Additionally, she said public records not protected by law should be accessible to taxpayers without the need to submit a Missouri Sunshine Law request.
KEVIN ROBINSON
Robinson has served as Platte County Auditor for more than 15 years, and he says that experience, combined with his background as a corporate executive and his master’s degree in business administration, he says he brings the financial knowledge, leadership experience and sound judgment necessary to oversee the responsible management of taxpayer dollars.
“My experience is proven, my independence is unwavering, and my commitment is to the taxpayers of Platte County,” Robinson said. “I am running for another term to help restore the county’s credit rating, align county operations with available resources, and strengthen its long-term financial position. I have worked diligently to protect the county’s financial standing, but restoring its credit rating remains an important unfinished objective. With interest in this goal expressed by two of the three candidates for presiding commissioner, I look forward to working collaboratively to move it forward. Improving the county’s credit rating can save taxpayers millions of dollars over time, while addressing costly challenges such as jail overcrowding and the expense of housing prisoners elsewhere.”
Robinson said throughout his tenure, he has worked to keep citizens informed and ensure that tax dollars, grants, and other revenues are managed and spent appropriately.
“My priority is to align county operations with statutory responsibilities and available revenue through sound financial planning, accurate projections, and collaboration with elected officials and department heads.
“I bring the experience and independence necessary to make difficult financial decisions in the public interest. County government should focus on its responsibilities and the needs of its citizens – not political rhetoric or partisan agendas.”
Robinson said one of the county’s greatest challenges is aligning operations and long-term obligations with available resources while maintaining essential public services.
“The auditor must understand the laws governing how county revenue is collected, allocated and spent, and must provide reliable financial projections to support informed decisions and continuity of operations.”
Jail overcrowding is also a significant financial concern. In fiscal year 2025, the county spent more than $1 million to house prisoners elsewhere. In 2026, spending is on track to reach approximately $1.5 million.
“These rising costs, combined with county growth and continuing demands on law enforcement, underscore the need for a sustainable, long-term solution.”
Robinson said as auditor and budget officer, he reviews budget requests and expenditures to help ensure they comply with the approved budget and reflect responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
“In 2026, as in most years, I worked with elected officials and department heads to reduce budget requests by more than $2 million. That experience demonstrates the importance of collaboration, careful financial review, and making difficult decisions based on available resources.”
Robinson said if re-elected, he will continue to provide sound financial projections, promote accountability, and work with other elected officials to align spending with the county’s legal obligations and financial capacity.