JEFFERSON CITY – “At least” $4,348 collected in cash by former City Clerk Marla Berndt as sewer bill payments is unaccounted for in Homestead Village, a Ray County town of roughly 185 people near Excelsior Springs. Berndt also allegedly failed to pay her own sewer bill and falsified ledgers to conceal non-payments, based on an investigation completed Wednesday by State Auditor Nicole Galloway’s office. “The former city clerk betrayed her position of public trust. It is encouraging that city officials have committed to work with law enforcement to hold the former city clerk accountable,” Galloway stated. “My office is prepared to assist them in any way they need because the taxpayers of Homestead Village deserve competence and accountability from their municipal government.” Berndt started work as the city’s only employee in 2012 and resigned Dec. 31. Another clerk took over in January, but resigned in August, with Margie Long now on the job. A petition by townsfolk resulted in the…