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Transition audit of Solicitor General spotlights cramped space, staffing and training needs
Summary
An audit authorized by the newly elected Solicitor General found limited office space, outdated furnishings and training shortfalls; auditors recommended additional FY26 staffing, equipment upgrades, continuing education funding and consideration of diversion programming.
A transitional audit of the Office of the Solicitor General, authorized Jan. 7 at the Solicitor’s request, was presented to council on May 13. Auditors found the office was operating at near‑capacity budget utility, had limited workspace, aging furnishings and unmet continuing education and equipment needs for victim‑witness outreach.
Auditors said they reviewed pay periods and budget workstreams and found no payroll discrepancies but observed space constraints and requests for software upgrades, cell phones for victim outreach and more training. The audit recommended that the Solicitor General’s office be considered for additional staff in the FY2026 budget to address increased misdemeanor caseloads and that the city evaluate replacement furnishings and modest capital upgrades for victim services and casework.
Solicitor General, who took office Jan. 1, told the council he is focused on moving the office forward and will bring specific budget requests to council. The audit team recommended exploring pretrial diversion programming and accountability courts as programmatic responses and noted some space might be identified in other city properties or through department moves ahead of the new judicial center’s completion.
Why it matters: The audit links operational needs in a high‑volume prosecutorial office — victim services, staff support and space — to case outcomes and statutory requirements for court handling. Auditors said the office’s workload has risen and that certain infrastructure and training investments would support legal and victim‑service work.
Next steps: The Solicitor General said he will bring formal budget requests to council; auditors and the solicitor recommended confirming allocated square footage in the new judicial center and exploring interim relocations in city properties.
Quotes
"In going back there consistently had not been active budget review... The numbers really didn't change. There wasn't really a history of actively coming to a budget review meeting," an auditor said during the presentation.
Provenance
(Topic introduced) Transcript segment starting at 6314.27: "Good morning. You'll have your material here momentarily." (topicintro)
(Topic finish) Transcript segment starting at 7057.395: "Thank you. Thank all of you guys." (topicfinish)
