Residents urge forensic audit after council pulls audit item from agenda

Sunnyside City Council agreed to pull an item on a proposed forensic audit from its May 5 study-session agenda at staff request, and several residents used the public-comment period to press the council to pursue a full, independent review of recent city spending.

The council’s presiding official read a brief staff note that “Kelly, a staff member,” asked that the forensic-audit item (item E) be removed because she was “unable to get all the information together for tonight to prepare the presentation of the quality that she would like.” The council did not take formal action beyond agreeing to remove the item from tonight’s agenda.

Why it matters: numerous residents said the city needs an independent review to restore public trust and identify questionable purchases. Several commenters described a pattern of allegedly improper or poorly documented expenditures in prior years and called for the council to direct a formal forensic audit to examine records.

Residents gave specific examples during public comment. Bridal Moore said she and others had reviewed receipts and found what she described as numerous small purchases that, taken together, raised questions about oversight: “This first receipt here, this is listed under city hall…$700.38,” she said, and later cited a $1,500.45 airline charge and a $1,329.27 Safeway transaction. Sharon Dolan told the council that she and other researchers had found instances of city-paid events, gifts and other expenditures “that might be cases of gifting of public funds.” Jim Stevens and Tom Dolan also urged prompt action and better agenda scheduling so residents do not wait in vain for late-started meetings.

Council response and next steps: Councilor Vicky Ripley had placed the audit matter on the agenda for discussion. City staff said Kelly will continue preparing the materials and will bring the item back at a later meeting to the finance committee or full council. The mayor indicated the council will forward the receipts and examples brought forward by residents to the auditors when the audit is scheduled.

Ending: Council did not adopt a motion to start a forensic audit this evening; staff will return with a fuller presentation at a later meeting, and several residents said they will watch for that agenda item and expect the council to act then.