“None of them are really expensive,” he said.

“We also have volunteers that work on our campaign,” Williams said. “And since we don’t pay consultants we usually take them out to campaign outings, dinner, things of that nature. And that’s how we thank them and that’s how we also meet to discuss any campaign things.”

Indeed, the Columbia Missourian reported in 2017 that candidates were spending big on “consulting” without elaborating on the services they had purchased.

Williams — a former staffer to U.S. Rep. William “Lacy” Clay, D-University City — said he would ask his campaign treasurer, Robert Arbuthnot, if there was a better way to report expenses.

Williams’ purchases

The majority of Williams’ purchases this year — $8,750 — were under $100, while the rest went to pay larger tabs.

Larger payments included a $224 tab at a French bistro in St. Louis, an unexplained $150 payment to the University of Missouri, and a $130 tab at the upscale Barred Owl lounge in Columbia.