Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Oversight And Audit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Citizens review committee explores creating a city performance auditor; requests memo from city manager
Summary
Committee members discussed whether Topeka should create an internal auditor to conduct financial and performance audits. Members asked City Manager Dr. Perez for a memo about feasibility and to appear at a future meeting to provide experience from cities that use auditor offices.
Members of the Citizens Government Review Committee debated whether Topeka should create a semi‑independent city auditor who would conduct performance and financial audits and report to the city council.
A committee member asked, “Why doesn't the city of Topeka have an auditor?” and urged the group to review how auditors in Olathe, Dallas, Wichita and Lawrence operate. The member cited perceived value in independent performance reviews and the potential for cost savings.
Why it matters: The committee is assembling recommendations on governance and oversight. An internal performance auditor could provide public assurance about program effectiveness and track the implementation of prior committee and staff reports.
Discussion covered model options and governance: committee members noted some cities appoint auditors through the council and fund an office that performs performance audits, financial audits or both. Committee members raised concerns about duplication of work if departments already produce performance measures and asked for clarity about the incremental value of a new office.
The committee asked City Manager Dr. Perez to supply a memo and said he may be invited to attend a future meeting. Multiple members indicated they wanted information about how a city auditor would be appointed, what unit costs and staffing would look like, and examples of program savings other municipalities have identified.
Committee members agreed to research the topic further and to request factual material from the manager’s office before deciding whether to include a recommendation in the draft report.
