Wagoner selects Ralph Osborne CPA as city auditor after review of four bids

The City of Wagoner and related entities selected Ralph Osborne (Osborne & Littlefield) to perform the fiscal-year 2024–25 audits after staff presented multiple proposals and the council discussed concerns raised by a newspaper article about one firm.

Staff said it solicited bids from firms listed on the state auditor’s website and received four full proposals and one additional submission that arrived after packets were printed. Board members and other councilors questioned the late-submitted materials and a newspaper item that referenced allegations involving a named local official and one quoted source. Staff emphasized it had provided all proposals received and that engagement letters could be required from any chosen firm.

Quotes discussed in the packet led several council members to ask for references and engagement letters; staff reported that the late-submit firm said it could supply an engagement letter if asked. After discussion about relative costs and service scopes, the council voted to award the audit to Ralph Osborne’s firm.

The roll call was recorded as: Hagenbotham — yes; Wright — no; Wagner — yes; North — yes; Wilson — no; Sampson — yes. Following the vote, staff said the selected auditor will be engaged to examine records for the City of Wagoner and associated entities for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Staff noted the city aims to hire the same auditor for all entities to streamline the consolidated audit process.

Several councilors said they would follow up with reference checks and requested engagement letters and scope confirmations before the work begins.