Delray Beach commissioners select Elena Georgiev as city internal auditor

The Delray Beach City Commission voted unanimously to select Elena Georgiev as the city's internal auditor and directed Human Resources to negotiate an employment agreement within the posted salary range.

Georgiev, who met with the commission in person after a search process that produced two finalists, was chosen after commissioners said she demonstrated readiness to start quickly, experience with municipal audit issues and a detailed audit plan. Commissioner Cassell said, "I think she's already doing the job that we need, and she could come in on day 1 and get it done." Mayor Tom Carney announced the unanimous vote, saying, "All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? It is unanimous."

The commission and staff framed the role as a largely single-person audit function responsible for the city's internal audit plan, risk assessments and follow-up on internal controls. During the interviews, commissioners cited Georgiev's experience with p-card and procurement reviews, salary-compression work for public-safety departments and running audits that produced actionable recommendations. City staff confirmed the HR office will negotiate terms and return a draft contract for commission approval; commissioners discussed placing a contract approval item on the April 22 commission agenda.

The motion approved by the commission directed HR to negotiate within the posted salary range and return a contract to the commission for final approval. Commissioners discussed, but did not require as a condition of hire, that the auditor pursue a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential; members asked HR and the city attorney to clarify how quickly the certification might reasonably be obtained and whether it should be included in future offer terms.

Georgiev earlier described her approach to risk assessment and audit planning as drawing on published risk studies, interviews with staff and benchmarking against peer municipalities. Commissioners and staff said the immediate priorities for the new internal auditor will include completing annual audit planning, assisting with the city's fiscal-year budget review and addressing previously identified high-priority items such as cash handling and p-card controls.

Next steps: HR will negotiate employment terms with Georgiev and return a contract for commission approval. The commission indicated it expects the formal contract to be presented at a future meeting for ratification.