The Financial Oversight and Audit Committee of El Paso convened on June 17, 2025, to discuss key strategies for enhancing the city's internal audit processes. The meeting focused on several core themes aimed at improving stakeholder engagement, strategic alignment, performance measurement, transparency, technology utilization, and public trust.

The committee began by addressing the importance of stakeholder engagement, emphasizing the need for clear roles and responsibilities among city officials. It was noted that inconsistent communication has limited effective feedback mechanisms, which are crucial for fostering collaboration. The committee highlighted the necessity of structured feedback procedures to ensure accountability and enhance engagement, particularly at the executive level.

Next, the discussion shifted to the strategic alignment of audit outcomes with the city's broader priorities. The committee stressed the importance of linking the internal audit function to the city’s strategic initiatives and key risk areas. They proposed establishing a transparent methodology for aligning the annual audit plan with these priorities, ensuring that audit objectives are clearly understood and relevant to city goals.

Performance measurement and accountability were also key topics. The committee called for a holistic evaluation framework for the internal audit function, focusing on how it contributes to risk mitigation and ethical standards within the city. They suggested integrating ethical performance evaluations into the audit process to enhance the function's effectiveness.

Transparency in audit procedures was another significant point of discussion. The committee identified a need for greater visibility in how audit objectives are selected and prioritized, advocating for improved communication protocols with city management. They underscored the role of internal auditors as educational resources to help management understand potential risks and blind spots.

The meeting also addressed the use of technology and resources to streamline audit processes. The committee recommended leveraging existing Microsoft tools and exploring additional audit software to enhance efficiency. They emphasized the importance of digitizing audit evidence and utilizing data analytics to inform decision-making and demonstrate trends.

Finally, the committee discussed the need to strengthen public trust and visibility in the internal audit process. They recognized the challenge of balancing confidentiality with transparency, advocating for clearer communication about audit results while maintaining necessary confidentiality.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the committee's commitment to enhancing the internal audit function through improved engagement, strategic alignment, performance measurement, transparency, technology use, and public trust. The committee plans to follow up on these discussions with actionable steps to implement the proposed improvements.