Commissioners criticize city manager for delayed notice of OIG audit

Delray Beach commissioners told City Manager Moore they were upset that they learned about an Office of Inspector General audit through a news outlet rather than from city management.

Commissioners said at a special meeting that the Sun Sentinel's reporting alerted them to the audit before the commission received any written notice or a brief informational update from the city manager. One commissioner said the commission had repeatedly asked for more timely alerts about matters that affect the city; the commissioner said it is "upsetting to be sitting at home reading the Sun Sentinel and then read about your city being audited and not know it from your city manager." The commissioner also asked for a short initial notification in similar cases—"a 3 or 4 sentences" to provide a heads-up.

City Manager Moore acknowledged the concern, said he had been working to gather details about the audit scope and timing, and pledged to change the practice. Moore told the commission, "It will not happen again," and said he planned to provide a fuller update in the staff's regular Friday information communication.

Commissioners discussed the timing of the manager's receipt of audit notice and asked staff to provide succinct, timely summaries when significant external reviews or incidents are initiated. No formal vote or disciplinary action was taken; the exchange concluded with the manager's commitment to improve notification procedures.

The commissioners contrasted the delayed notice with the quicker, short-form alerts they receive from public-safety chiefs following incidents. Several members said they expect similar short notifications from city management when an audit or other significant review begins so the commission can respond or ask follow-up questions promptly.

The commission did not mandate a specific new notification policy during the meeting but asked staff to provide clearer, more timely communication going forward.