Goodyear council creates city auditor position, forms three-member audit committee

The Goodyear City Council on Feb. 24 voted 7-0 to create a city auditor position and a three-member Audit Committee and authorized an initial budget amendment to begin recruitment.

The move, presented by Jared Askelson, the city’s finance director, establishes a city auditor “appointed by the city manager” who will “follow governmental auditing standards,” and requires the auditor to report to both management and the newly formed Audit Committee, Askelson said. The council approved an ordinance to amend the city code to add the city auditor and audit committee and authorized moving funds to begin hiring immediately.

The ordinance establishes the audit committee as a council-appointed three-member body that will approve the annual audit plan, monitor corrective actions from internal audits, and ensure the auditor’s independence and use of standards. “The audit committee will be reviewing the annual audit plan that’s established by the city auditor,” Askelson said, and committee members will have authority to request reports and follow-up.

Council members who spoke in support described the role as a necessary oversight and a complement to the city’s existing external financial audit. Councilmember Hampton said the function is “healthy for every department” and an important industry standard. Councilman McKeown emphasized transparency and asked that findings not be withheld: council members will receive structured reporting through the audit committee, Askelson answered. Vice Mayor Campbell confirmed the internal auditor will not replace the external financial audit but will instead examine day-to-day processes and operations.

Councilwoman Gillis asked about timing; Askelson said staff would finalize the job description and post the recruitment materials within roughly two weeks, with the expectation the city auditor could be on board in about two months. The council also authorized a budget amendment to move $40,000 of one-time funds to the city manager’s office to start the hiring process and to fund an initial follow-up audit of the capital improvement program.

The ordinance passed on a unanimous vote. Council members said they expect the new auditor to begin with lower-complexity or “low-hanging fruit” audits and to present an annual audit plan to the committee once on board.

The action provides the city with a permanent internal audit function charged with identifying risks, verifying data accuracy, ensuring rules are followed, assessing efficiency of resource use, and promoting continuous improvement.

The council instructed staff to return with bylaws for the Audit Committee and to begin recruitment for the auditor position immediately.