[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6595810,"mediaKeyId","3025679-668ffc9c5020e9814efa90775ed35963","parentId",3025679,"title","Audit & Finance panel postpones decision on Immigrant Affairs, Aging bylaws; advances zero-waste change","audioSeconds",440,"startMs",65000,"endMs",505000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3025679-668ffc9c5020e9814efa90775ed35963&start=65&end=505","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3025679-668ffc9c5020e9814efa90775ed35963/thumbnail_65000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6595810/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Audit-Finance-panel-postpones-decision-on-Immigrant-Affairs-Aging-bylaws-advances-zero-waste-change","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595810-d47dcacfe97fc8d9c68e80bba9e0a7b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770627511&Signature=TDm09HvVGKbiNkjeVZzeOTP8JRn3-ovOr82ItI7a80zKfjTKpJf9Wig2dIp-vD2~D5n4CfFBRqaTJT2H7RvXuKSdbbL5gc4XodU8SCcQnnKBbPMDVrNfrFiYLuEoLlD8h49EMjXCMFln2bkRVds6bIsu2WF2nfsEMZtrJLO-H9yLLZBKUtaX2vTq1JTKn1lzNPsCRrRNznEvVY3PEaBTJIl9QS4atkYpjeBB4xrNTOQqU2xVIGzvCaMkppuXhEgdZkTmDJyc9aV182MZ-x1mA3GCrg3VD0rqZ50~Nd1noT69qoY4wRD7vt2RFLylFTM-d8Hcf0e3IuzCCg0xLRkgZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-04-16T00:00:00Z","article","Members of the Austin City Council's Audit and Finance Committee on April 16 postponed action on proposed bylaw amendments for the Commission on Immigrant Affairs and the Commission on Aging and recommended that the council send forward a change to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission that would remove an inactive organic management committee.

Two members of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs urged the committee to approve the immigrant commission's proposed bylaws amendment before the committee's discussion. Melissa Ortega, who identified herself as chair of the commission but spoke in a personal capacity, told the committee the amendment would add three community stakeholder seats and increase quorum flexibility to reduce delays caused by inactive appointed members. \"Approving the proposed bylaws will help the Commission on Immigrant Affairs break through the existing gridlock,\" Ortega said. Miriam Dorantes, vice chair of the commission, said the changes would help center the lived experience of immigrant residents and deepen outreach in a city of roughly 987,000 people.

Stephanie Hall, assistant city clerk, presented staff summaries of three commission-proposed bylaw changes. Hall said the Commission on Aging proposed creating a five-member Age-Friendly Advisory Committee to monitor the Age-Friendly Austin action plan and that clerks' office would now staff that commission rather than Austin Public Health. Staff noted creating a formal subcommittee would require additional staff time and must comply with Texas Open Meetings Act requirements.

On the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, Hall said the commission requested three commission-approved stakeholder positions and an increase in quorum from seven to eight. Staff said they did not recommend the stakeholder positions because historically those stakeholder seats have been difficult to fill and add additional administrative responsibilities. Hall added that if the immigrant commission's changes proceed, an ordinance would be required to amend the city code.

For the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, the proposed bylaw change would remove the organic management committee; staff supported that change because the committee's duties are covered elsewhere and it had not met in several years.

Committee members voiced several concerns during discussion. Council members asked how staffing for the new aging subcommittee would be handled and whether formal action could be delayed until after the budget cycle to avoid adding duties amid possible staff reductions. Members also probed the immigrant commission's quorum history: staff reported the immigrant commission had struggled with quorum in the prior year, at one point not meeting for about six months because of vacancies and attendance issues, but said the commission had been meeting recently and had one new vacancy after a recent resignation. Hall confirmed any stakeholder positions would be subject to the commission's same training and attendance requirements.

To allow more time for follow-up, the committee voted to postpone action on the Commission on Immigrant Affairs and the Commission on Aging until the next Audit and Finance Committee meeting and to move forward its recommendation to the full council on the Zero Waste Advisory Commission amendment. The motion was made and seconded and approved \"without objection,\" according to the meeting record.

The committee said staff should return with more detail about timing and staffing, and with any additional information council members request prior to final council consideration.

Ending: The committee did not adopt either of the two contested bylaw changes at the April 16 meeting; the zero-waste removal will be recommended to full council. Staff noted the immigrant commission's change would require an ordinance to amend code if the council ultimately approves it, and committee members asked that staff bring additional implementation and staffing details when the items return for consideration.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Audit and Finance Committee - Apr 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the Austin City Council's Audit and Finance Committee on April 16 postponed action on proposed bylaw amendments for the Commission on Immigrant Affairs and the Commission on Aging and recommended that the council forward a change to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission removing an inactive organic management committee.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6595790,"Audit & Finance committee reappoints two members to Municipal Civil Service Commission",20,5996000,6016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3025679-668ffc9c5020e9814efa90775ed35963&start=5996&end=6016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3025679-668ffc9c5020e9814efa90775ed35963/thumbnail_5996000.jpg","/articles/6595790/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Audit-Finance-committee-reappoints-two-members-to-Municipal-Civil-Service-Commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595790-a3a78fbf0893e86e22e708cb7232dbec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770627511&Signature=GHyNbE3rQqHojPaKenZ84AGKNgnCw3spofYsG8o9olGp28Y2gjffHzHwYTSpwj0TeYF9QAp3I818glxb8~CkEGWtMhevEjktODs4oZXQ-~GM5Rc8p2ySTkg-RDOD4tY7U6IWbOqD5wojahZLLrT6XyE-9Vdr2~OL68TNpIB~BmmbHxMY-Z-RVKVTEdaHPReOOE8crmf0E9s8dYqIYLOv1ZNIBUWmuR8-KyNQqQiJPVErIi0c5x3Cpwqp12sigGLuJiwxHdgR5W72UF-bcUk3JS97cJJxu4DhYQ6XMhl6X9~EEmU9-gN2jEDxxuem0Wg~rc4boOMLs4uz3js0tPYU4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Audit and Finance Committee voted April 16 to reappoint Kavita Gupta and John Umfress to the Municipal Civil Service Commission.

After returning from a brief executive session to discuss personnel matters relating to Municipal Civil Service Commission appointments, a committee member moved to reappoint the two members. The motion was seconded by the mayor pro tem and approved \"without objection,\" according to the meeting record. No roll-call vote or vote tally was recorded in the publicly available transcript.

Ending: The committee approved the reappointments and adjourned at 11:16 a.m.
","The Audit and Finance Committee approved reappointments of Kavita Gupta and John Umfress to the Municipal Civil Service Commission by motion and without objection.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6595795,"City auditor reports uptick in allegations; five investigations substantiated so far in FY25",270,3132000,3402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3025679-668ffc9c5020e9814efa90775ed35963&start=3132&end=3402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3025679-668ffc9c5020e9814efa90775ed35963/thumbnail_3132000.jpg","/articles/6595795/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/City-auditor-reports-uptick-in-allegations-five-investigations-substantiated-so-far-in-FY25","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595795-b8596ac85aac0b4b4eaf5db0b8403760/orig.mp4?Expires=1770627511&Signature=QFq0lIC7d0rrf8sdrkT4rDOjpywQtchFStV9NBjYHQ-LvkK7HZKN18V1XNiWS0PUY8LWr7hAOK75fWj8sVgM6GcI57JOVTcetj936h7aM9jWqtsFTnYXfoxZu3FSHaaUusDyLD8viBoFYjzzoYCOSuUQOrek~m7qLU95gdANcb3mZT2gnuqQ4~mbZzSOi9PZW3KL-XmCXm7tur3gv9goLR7VYn93MXUNo7OoeKOaW3vDrL3GYLzEv0jAfbOn-s75qklQ-5YJYWngKgBwO-7OC7KgvAnlWPnpx3poyKDI1CkG4UhcX08eCI9SZ4OM~NlXvnkIh2HV6hVplqPQM8vkVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Office of the City Auditor's integrity unit reported to the Audit and Finance Committee on April 16 that it has received 209 allegations so far this fiscal year, an increase that would put the office on pace for roughly 400 allegations by year end and about 20% above its three-year rolling average.

Brian Malloy, chief of investigations in the auditor's office, told the committee the allegations cover a range of department areas and types; about 37% of reports so far fall within the integrity unit's investigative jurisdiction and two-thirds are outside the unit's jurisdiction (typically human resources or operational matters) and are referred to department management. The unit accepts anonymous reports and offers multiple reporting channels: about 60% of reporters use the online form, 11% contact investigators directly and about 8% use the hotline.

Malloy said the office now reports allegations by department on a per-1,000-employees basis to allow fair comparison across larger and smaller departments. On that basis, animal services, building services and human resources showed higher rates of allegations per 1,000 employees than the city average; departments that previously appeared larger by percentage often reflected higher counts because they employ more staff.

So far in fiscal 2025 the integrity unit has completed five investigations; all five resulted in substantiated violations and management has taken accountability actions in all but one case (Austin Energy, where an accountability action is pending as part of an ethics-review commission process). The office also completed a detection project on Parks and Recreation rental fees that found collection and assessment issues; Parks and Recreation updated training and some policies in response.

Malloy said nine investigations are open across seven departments, covering fraud, abuse, misuse, conflict of interest and theft. He encouraged anyone with concerns to report them directly using the online form or by contacting investigators to allow follow-up questions.

Ending: The integrity unit will continue triaging reports and investigating matters within its jurisdiction. The unit plans to provide a full fiscal-year report in the fall with department-level trends and any prevention recommendations that arise from completed work.
","The Office of the City Auditor's integrity unit reported 209 allegations received year-to-date, an increase that projects to roughly 400 for the fiscal year, and said it has completed five investigations that substantiated violations; nine investigations remain open.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6595800,"Audit finds APD lacks a measurable recruitment strategy and a coordinated pipeline; department outlines steps to respond",1693,2060000,3753000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3025679-668ffc9c5020e9814efa90775ed35963&start=2060&end=3753","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3025679-668ffc9c5020e9814efa90775ed35963/thumbnail_2060000.jpg","/articles/6595800/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Audit-finds-APD-lacks-a-measurable-recruitment-strategy-and-a-coordinated-pipeline-department-outlines-steps-to-respond","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595800-a4e8a0725489bbc7299926d7dddd36af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770627511&Signature=Lz0c~a~~oh2KT7S7ua30-113bmnFx0Y1I-NIw6mF0dVyXwV21F~UQrAceQ6~vLr63xgnKDl6Cs2I6YmOIgA7gPjAAYd87d1XCuo2LYOr0OXtz4iQtbl9~C-oBzSrTpyKxKC~PNiGo3sEha-7wIdvMSDKjmobmonTbE7fwqkp4WN86YjVHX5myda3L6TdeLMqgmlmAo9LOSdziKbFmuz2npfEscHb4vz-hKwpRHqd~YFPvd9X3a~W-Z54a4wIl-Zph8Ce93sfB-nARzWw8qqKcfqgQFizi6bmCcJbEmFkNNBjteIcwSJOG1EpwpUGji98ZWmlQcjcvO47u0t2-BmaIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An audit released April 16 by the Office of the City Auditor found the Austin Police Department lacked an effective, measurable recruitment strategy and a coordinated recruitment pipeline and that the department's applicant-tracking data had reliability gaps. APD officials described steps underway to address the findings and said hiring and retention are improving since a multi-year contract was put in place.

Jasmine Triplett, the audit in charge, told the Audit and Finance Committee the audit examined whether APD is \"effectively, efficiently, and equitably\" recruiting and hiring sworn staff. The auditors found two primary deficiencies: APD's recruitment objectives in the department's strategic plan were not measurable or time-bound, and the department had not converted those broad strategies into specific action plans. Auditors also said APD lacked a recruitment pipeline'a coordinated set of programs to move candidates from youth and community engagement into later hiring stages'and cited several recruitment programs that operate in isolation. Finally, the audit identified reliability issues in the applicant tracking system where some data are entered manually and inconsistently, limiting APD's ability to assess which outreach events, test dates or steps in the hiring process are most successful.

\"Without a measurable objective it's very difficult for the department to determine when they've reached their goal to recruit a diverse and skilled workforce,\" Triplett said, summarizing the audit's first finding. The audit recommended four steps: craft a recruitment strategy with measurable goals; update SOPs and staff training to fix data reliability; coordinate recruitment posts across social media platforms; and create a recruitment pipeline.

Robin Henderson, APD chief of staff, and Commander Corey Robleski described actions the department has taken and plans to take in response. Henderson said recruiting was constrained when APD was out of contract for roughly 15 to 17 months between early 2023 and late 2024, including limits on out-of-state testing and a pause in cadet classes that reduced recruiting opportunities. Henderson said APD now has a recruitment unit that includes one commander, one lieutenant, two sergeants, 16 officers, and civilian and background-investigator staff, and that the department is prioritizing the candidate experience, using a data-driven approach and tracking progress by hiring cycle.

APD said it had recently graduated 29 cadets, had 51 cadets in the 150th class scheduled to graduate in August and expected 63 cadets in a subsequent class beginning April 21. The department also reported opening applications for a mid-year class and said it hired a data analyst to improve applicant-tracking reliability. Henderson said APD received a grant to pilot a program engaging about 60 high-school students this summer to build a youth pipeline and help shape recruitment strategies aimed at young applicants.

Chief of Police (Davis), present at the meeting, said recruitment and retention are priorities and that an action plan will be developed; Henderson said Chief Davis has been assigned oversight of recruiting and the academy and that APD will return with a written action plan.

Committee members asked for more detail on why candidates drop out during the cadet process and what the top barriers to graduation are. APD told the committee the most common reasons cadets leave are physical fitness standards and academic challenges; the department described PT prep sessions, body-weight training videos, on-site wellness resources and an emergency communications placement option designed to retain eligible trainees who need a temporary break.

Ending: The audit formalized recommendations APD management has already begun addressing. APD leaders committed to producing a written recruitment action plan, improving data reliability and piloting a youth pipeline program; the department said it will return to the committee with a plan and additional metrics.
","An auditor found the Austin Police Department does not have a measurable recruitment strategy, no coordinated recruitment pipeline and data reliability issues; APD leaders described reforms, newly opened classes and a youth pipeline grant to address hiring shortages.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6595805,"City controller, Deloitte report clean opinions; auditors flag OPEB control weakness",500,1210000,1710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3025679-668ffc9c5020e9814efa90775ed35963&start=1210&end=1710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3025679-668ffc9c5020e9814efa90775ed35963/thumbnail_1210000.jpg","/articles/6595805/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/City-controller-Deloitte-report-clean-opinions-auditors-flag-OPEB-control-weakness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595805-a792a5596c51af22a33b03e4e39d23d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770627511&Signature=TQRWOFxha8j3KLjdqGtlS~fGM4RyYiPI6VcdYx6EZrMBERxHW~y8~WBgctzAmSnpOKf0Rf12PFvnKybY68MvHeUnf4oU-FXMdFcdVQHFxndVxjBK6BjzFf7dOdT0~N2jLb41VqZn77RT8YCHs83hIVAox3gIJ5SF0A1sHjbzxDyyl8LmkDG3f5D-pOYtR2bmipKFXmxBnbNrUGax3iqc6gwYwlR9ANbaDhlfSeWT0ipFLs1jbsMG262YrKgvsW6bACzK4PyDgBvxIg4Ykz~BNaX~kh62dKbi8ArKtyMM5YhCMxKQnYviWZvJzYHFTnxMb3gsA6fcBlDkLq2afH16Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Austin city controller and external auditors on April 16 presented the city's fiscal year 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and the single-audit results, reporting clean opinions on financial statements and federal/state compliance while identifying one material weakness tied to OPEB accounting controls.

Maria Norton, city controller, and Deloitte representatives Tracy Cooley and Madeline Morris told the Audit and Finance Committee the ACFR was issued March 11 and the single-audit report March 28. Deloitte noted the city is in compliance with audit requirements and that the audit engagements, including passenger facility charge and agreed-upon-procedures reports, had been completed.

Deloitte said it identified management override of controls as a perennial audit risk but reported no audit evidence indicating control overrides this year. The auditors reported one material weakness involving controls over the accounting for other postemployment benefits (OPEB), the city's retiree health plan. During the fiscal year the city added a Medicare Advantage plan option; auditors said the plan change should have been considered in the OPEB valuation because employees could sign up during the measurement period. Management reran actuarial calculations and corrected the ACFR; auditors recommended strengthened review controls to ensure future plan changes are incorporated into OPEB valuations.

Deloitte also reported corrected and uncorrected misstatements in the course of the audit. One corrected item removed a component unit, Creekside Senior Housing Limited Partnership, from prior-period presentation after changes in the city's ownership share were identified.

On compliance testing, Deloitte reported unmodified opinions for federal and state major programs, noting the city expended more than $245 million in federal program dollars in fiscal 2024 and about $6.7 million in state grant spending subject to single-audit requirements. The auditors reported no findings on the airport passenger facility charge compliance report.

Committee members asked about next steps for reviewing the ACFR in detail; Norton said bound copies of the reports will be provided and staff can schedule follow-up briefings. Deloitte said it has communicated recommended control improvements and will work with staff on implementation.

Ending: City leaders said the audits are complete and that management has agreed to recommendations to strengthen controls over OPEB valuation. The controller's office will deliver bound copies of the ACFR and single-audit reports to council offices and coordinate follow-up briefings on data tables and financial schedules upon request.
","City controller and Deloitte presented the fiscal year 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and single-audit results, reporting issued clean opinions overall but noting a material weakness in controls over other postemployment benefits (OPEB) valuation and a corrected accounting presentation item.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Audit & Finance panel postpones decision on Immigrant Affairs, Aging bylaws; advances zero-waste change

Audit & Finance committee reappoints two members to Municipal Civil Service Commission

City auditor reports uptick in allegations; five investigations substantiated so far in FY25

Audit finds APD lacks a measurable recruitment strategy and a coordinated pipeline; department outlines steps to respond

City controller, Deloitte report clean opinions; auditors flag OPEB control weakness