Committee rejects favorable recommendation for separate city auditor post, refers order to council without recommendation

An administrative order to amend the city’s administrative code and create a separate city auditor position failed to receive a favorable recommendation in committee and was referred to the City Council without a recommendation.

Councilor Smith raised concerns about auditor independence if the new auditor position would serve "at the pleasure of the mayor," saying: "I don't see how serving at the pleasure of the mayor gives you the independence of an auditor." She suggested exploring structures that provide independence, such as an audit committee or joint reporting arrangements.

Committee members noted the proposal was recommended by the Office of the Massachusetts Inspector General, but the administration did not have a representative at the meeting to explain the proposal’s organizational reporting and practical implications. One committee member said the item could not be fully addressed without administration input.

A motion for a favorable recommendation failed on a recorded split vote; committee leadership then moved to refer the administrative order to the City Council, where members instructed the clerk to transmit it without a favorable committee recommendation. The transcript records both a failed favorable motion and a subsequent referral; committee members characterized the final referral as either "unfavorable" or "no recommendation" in different remarks during the meeting.

Ending: The order will proceed to the City Council for consideration; committee members asked that the administration provide additional detail to explain reporting relationships and how auditor independence would be assured.