County auditor asks to fill senior-auditor vacancy, says clerk litigation slowed some reporting
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Summary
Auditor Bill White presented his FY2026 budget request and said a vacancy in the senior staff-auditor role reduced year-to-date salary expense; he told the committee the clerk litigation and the timing of external audit adjustments delayed finalization of fourth-quarter reports, drawing criticism from several board members.
County Auditor Bill White presented the office of the county auditor's FY2026 budget to the Finance Committee on Aug. 12, 2025, saying salaries account for roughly 90% of the office request and that a current vacancy in the senior staff-auditor position has reduced year-to-date salary spending. White said the auditor's office completed field work on many audits but needs the senior staff auditor to convert field work into written reports; he told members the fourth-quarter and annual reports were not published until the finance department issued a final close and the external auditor completed its work. White said the quarterly reports "were completed yesterday and published this morning." He said the office is pursuing professional education and conference attendance for staff and is considering participation in the Association of Local Government Auditors. Members pressed White on timeliness and staffing. Several members — including Member LaPlante and Member Zay — asked why quarterly reports in prior years had been released earlier and urged better communication when reports will be delayed. Member Galassi and others asked that the vacant senior-staff position be posted and filled; White said he intends to post the job and that the office needs a candidate who combines auditing and clear report-writing skills. White said there was no software solution available that would presently extract the needed data from the county's ERP (Lawson) in a way that would make report production materially faster; he said a full ERP replacement would be the more comprehensive fix and that he will engage in the procurement process when that project advances. Why it matters: the auditor's office provides pre-audit review of claims and issues internal-audit reports that can identify control weaknesses. Committee members said more timely quarterly financial information and more internal audit reports are needed to help the board carry out fiscal oversight. Next steps: White said he will post the senior staff-auditor position and continue to prioritize completing the pending written audit reports. Committee members asked for improved communication about report timing and for more internal-audit follow-up once current litigation-related duties ease.