Finance director acknowledges error as city discusses auditor selection process

At the Sept. 16 City Council meeting in the City Hall Council Chamber, staff discussed the auditor selection process and the role of the Western Jersey Auditor’s Office in providing a list of qualified certified public accounting firms for municipal audits. Sean Burrison, finance director, acknowledged an error in the meeting materials. “Yes. I made an error,” Burrison said during the meeting. City staff told the council that the Western Jersey Auditor’s Office provides a list of qualified CPA firms that the city can choose from and that related materials had been presented to the council; the transcript records staff saying this was presented after council on Nov. 6. The meeting record does not include a formal motion or vote on selecting a particular auditor at this session. Discussion versus action: The record shows staff explanation and a correction by the finance director but does not show a formal decision or contract award for an auditor at this meeting. Context: The city’s auditor-selection discussion included references to actuarial reporting timelines and to ensuring timely actuarial reports, but the transcript does not provide details on any chosen firms, contract terms, or procurement timelines. Taper: Staff indicated follow-up materials and earlier presentations to council; the record does not show a final auditor selection or formal procurement action on Sept. 16.