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Council approves change to city‑auditor certification requirement after debate over process and trust (6–3)
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Summary
The council voted 6–3 to approve an ordinance amending the city auditor job requirement to remove a Colorado CPA mandate and move to a certified internal auditor (CIA) pathway; opponents said the change followed a rushed process and asked for an independent review.
The City Council approved an ordinance amending the city auditor’s qualification requirements after several hours of debate about process and public trust.
The ordinance, as amended and passed on a 6–3 vote, removes the requirement that the city auditor hold Colorado Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification and finalizes a certification pathway that emphasizes a certified internal auditor (CIA) credential as the expected credential to be achieved within a specified timeframe.
Why it matters: The city auditor oversees independent audits of city operations, a role that council members and members of the public described as central to government accountability. Several council members and members of the public said the hiring and ordinance‑change process eroded trust; others said changing the requirement allows the auditor’s office to focus on performance and strategic audit planning.
What council debated: Some council members argued HR should have led a broader job‑description review when the auditor’s position became vacant, and that the body missed an opportunity to clarify the role’s competencies before hiring. Councilmember Kimberly Gold moved to postpone the ordinance to a January 2026 meeting for further review; Councilmember Dave Donaldson seconded that motion, which failed 4–5.
Supporters of the ordinance said the new approach focuses on the skills needed to lead audits and deliver strategic plans. Councilmember Nancy Hingeam, who backed the amendment, told colleagues a certified internal auditor credential would be appropriate for the office and that the new auditor had committed to obtaining such certification. Hingeam also said the controversy offered an opportunity for increased visibility and oversight of the auditor’s office going forward.
Opponents raised transparency concerns and cited a disclosure issue: the audit‑office candidate had previously discussed certification steps during hiring. Councilmember Dave Donaldson urged a neutral third‑party review if the council did not postpone. Councilmember Roland Rainey said public trust was at stake and recommended a thorough external review before changing an ordinance tied to the job’s qualifications.
Votes and outcome: The council voted 6 to 3 to approve the ordinance amendment that removes the CPA mandate and requires an alternate auditor certification (CIA) process; the motion to postpone to a January meeting failed 4 to 5. Councilmembers who voted in favor said they would closely monitor the auditor’s office and the auditor’s progress toward the required certification.
What comes next: The ordinance takes effect per the city’s ordinance schedule and the auditor and councilmembers said they would bring the office’s strategic audit plan and performance updates to future work sessions and audit‑committee meetings for public view.
Ending: Councilmembers who opposed the change urged use of an independent review or audit‑committee process to rebuild public confidence; supporters said the vote allows the auditor’s office to begin its planned work under close council scrutiny.
