Committee recommends realigning three auditor task-order budgets with net-zero FY25 impact

The Policy & Services Committee recommended City Council approve a fiscal-year budget realignment for three audit task orders, moving funds between line items so there is no net change to the FY2024–25 budget.

Kate Murdock, city auditor, told the committee the office sought to increase the emergency preparedness audit budget by $5,000 and the dispatch center assessment budget by $15,000 to cover costs that exceeded original estimates. Those increases would be covered by reducing the budget for task order 4.32 (the Community Services Department equipment and materials inventory management audit) by $20,000, according to Murdock. She said the inventory audit scope proved smaller than expected, producing savings that can be reallocated. Murdock also said the auditor’s office had previously written off some costs but still needs the requested realignment to finish the wildfire assessment and dispatch audits.

Committee members asked about line-item displays in the packet that showed strikethrough amounts; Murdock explained the wildfire task order had been amended previously, that the office had absorbed some costs, and that the requested adjustments reflect additional incurred costs rather than previously written-off amounts. Council member support emphasized the priority of completing the wildfire preparedness assessment.

Murdock told the committee the inventory management audit report was in the final reporting phase and expected to return to committee in June or, if not, then August. Committee members asked staff to flag other potential reprioritizations if they emerge.

The committee voted 3–0 to recommend the budget realignment to the City Council. The recorded votes were Council member Liu: Yes; Vice mayor Vinkar: Yes; Council member Stone: Yes.