Council postpones approval of $333,930 external audit contract after questions about bidder change and disclosures

Summary

Riviera Beach city council delayed action on a three-year, $333,930 auditing contract after public commenters and council members raised concerns that the recommended firm had changed names and had undisclosed regulatory history; staff agreed to further review and to return the item at the next regular meeting.

The Riviera Beach City Council on Wednesday postponed approval of a proposed three‑year, $333,930 external auditing contract after public commenters raised questions about the winning bidder’s identity and disclosures, and council members asked staff to investigate further.

The audit contract before the council, listed as Resolution 41‑25, would have authorized the city to engage an external auditor through Request for Proposal (RFP) 1130‑24‑4 for an initial three‑year period with two one‑year renewal options and to authorize the director of finance to make payments from the appropriate account.

The item drew multiple public commenters who said the proposal evaluation and award raised compliance concerns. “Markham LLP is actually the company that submitted a response and as an entity no longer exists,” said Nakasha Wells, a West Palm Beach resident and public commenter, adding that “no such written authorization” to substitute a different named firm appeared in the backup materials. Wells also said the company awarded top points for having a Palm…

Council postpones approval of $333,930 external audit contract after questions about bidder change and disclosures

Summary

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