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Milton council selects Warren Averett as city auditor after ranked selection process
Summary
After a ranked selection process required by Florida law, the Milton City Council voted 6-2 to hire Warren Averett as the city's external financial auditor for the coming contract period; the council and staff said the firm rated highest on experience and familiarity with the city's systems.
The Milton City Council voted 6-2 to select Warren Averett as the city’s external auditor, following a ranked selection process required by Florida statute for professional services.
Council members said Warren Averett led the field on experience with municipal audits and familiarity with the city’s financial software. Councilman Daniel Cusack moved to select Warren Averett; Councilman Pratt Wells seconded the motion. Councilman Powell and Councilman Vero voted against the selection; the remaining members voted in favor, producing a 6-2 outcome.
Council members described the procurement as competitive. Several members said James Moore & Company and other firms performed well on specific technical points (for example, utility-system and billing-system experience), but Warren Averett received the most first-place rankings on the tabulation. Councilmembers discussed the need to submit ranked top-three lists under Florida Statute 218.391 in case negotiations with the top-ranked firm failed.
City staff and several council members emphasized their positive experience working with Warren Averett on prior audits and cited responsiveness and thoroughness in prior years as strengths. Council members also asked that the city compile the scorings and distribute members’ ranking sheets so the selection record is transparent.
By the council’s direction, staff will enter fee negotiations with Warren Averett and return to the council with a contract for execution.
The council’s selection follows the publicly advertised procurement and the ranking process established at the Aug. 12 council meeting. No formal contract was executed at the Sept. meeting; the action was the selection of the firm to negotiate terms with.
