Committee to recommend City Council study creation of independent city auditor

The Citizen Government Review Committee agreed to recommend that the City Council study the creation of an independent city auditor position, after committee members discussed the potential benefits, costs and staffing challenges of establishing the role.

Chair Kalk said outside advisors and committee conferees had mixed observations but generally supported studying the idea; he told members that Professor Hannes (an external advisor referenced in the memo) "would support the recommendation that we reached ... that we would make a recommendation for the council to study the creation of the position." The chair highlighted potential benefits for public trust and for bringing public attention to reports that receive no follow-up.

Members stressed the cost and staffing realities. One committee member noted that past conferees recommended more than one staffer: "you can't just have an auditor. You need at least 2 support staff." Members also discussed that savings from audits vary widely by community; the Johnson County Auditor's office contact (Doug Jones) provided sample resources and models for jurisdictions considering an auditor.

Committee member Brian said recommending a study is within the committee's remit and would place the recommendation on the public record even if the council chooses not to act immediately.

The committee did not vote to create the position; it decided only to recommend that the City Council study the feasibility, costs and potential shared or interlocal approaches to an audit function.