Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Audit.safari At The Quarry topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council amends and acknowledges internal audit of ‘Safari at the Quarry’ event after months of document disputes
Summary
After a year of document requests and public scrutiny, the Wicomico County Council amended wording in the Office of the Internal Auditor's Safari at the Quarry audit report, attached a council letter to the executive, and voted to acknowledge the audit rather than accept it outright.
The Wicomico County Council on May 20 amended language in the internal audit of the 2024 Safari at the Quarry event and formally acknowledged the auditor’s revised report. Council members also added a May 8 council letter as an exhibit to the audit resolution.
Background: The county’s internal audit examined planning, permitting and financial controls for a county‑sponsored special event. The audit drew public attention because the event’s financial exhibits and supporting documentation were incomplete or late in delivery to the auditor, prompting council members and community commenters to ask for further explanations.
Council action and amendments: Auditor Angelie Chatel presented the audit and recommended small wording changes because the phrase in the original report thanking staff for “timely assistance, cooperation and candid assessment” had caused confusion. Members moved to strike or replace that language in two locations and to change the resolution title from “accepting” the audit to “acknowledging” the audit. The council also voted to attach the council’s May 8 letter to the executive as Exhibit D to the resolution.
Why council changed the wording: Multiple council members and public commenters said that language appeared inconsistent with other passages in the audit describing incomplete documentation, and some argued the “timely cooperation” wording had been used by the executive in a way that mischaracterized the record. The council’s amendment removed the specific praise while leaving the auditor’s findings and recommendations intact.
Public comment and next steps: Public commenters urged additional review and accountability. The auditor will post the amended report and the attached council letter on the county website and the council asked that follow‑up items described in the audit be tracked in future audit plans. Council members also directed the auditor to include outstanding follow‑up items in the FY26 audit plan.
Ending: The council’s unanimous amendments and vote concluded a year‑long review cycle that council members said clarified the public record and preserved the auditor’s independence while ensuring the report’s wording accurately reflected the availability of documents during the audit process.
