Wilmington audit office proposes $1.3 million FY26 budget; council presses on reassessment and audit scope

The Wilmington City audit department presented a proposed FY2026 operating budget of $1.3 million across all funds to the Finance Committee, outlining staffing additions and new subscription costs while council members asked about the city’s ability to review a county‑led property reassessment.

The proposed FY26 audit budget totals $1,300,000 with $1,200,000 in the general fund (a 22.6% increase) and $139,000 in the water/sewer fund. The plan includes one new senior IT auditor position, three upgraded senior auditor classifications, and a net staff total of six full‑time equivalent positions, up by one from FY25.

Why it matters: the audit office is the city’s independent internal oversight function; changes in staffing and outside contracts affect the office’s capacity to perform audits, follow up on management action plans and investigate fraud reports. Council members pressed the office about whether it can audit Newcastle County’s court‑ordered property reassessment, and on how new tools and vendors will be used.

The audit director’s presentation said personal services account…