Committee backs $470,990 contract for outside auditors to produce city financial reports

The Finance and Law Committee on Jan. 8 recommended approval of Bill 1371, authorizing the mayor and the director of the Department of Finance to enter into agreements to provide outside auditing services to the city at a total cost not to exceed $470,990 over three years with an option for two additional years.

Finance Director and City Treasurer Jen Gula explained the role of the outside auditor: the firm assists finance and the controller’s office in producing the city’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and performs the federal "single audit" of grant funds. "They also do what we call the single audit, which is an audit of all the grant funds," Gula said. She told the committee that the firm has contracted with the city in the past and that the procurement team reissued an RFP in the fall; the selected firm won the bid again and some principal auditors on the team were changed to provide "fresh eyes." Gula said the changes were intended to support transition and continuity while introducing different personnel.

Council members asked why the mayor’s office, rather than the controller’s office, is listed in the resolution; Gula and staff clarified the vendor works with both finance and the controller to complete the ACFR. The committee recorded an affirmative recommendation on the resolution; the transcript does not identify the motion maker or the roll-call names for committee members beyond the recorded "aye." The item will move to the full council for final action.