Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Data Practices Act Audit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Audit committee considers data practices compliance review; asks staff to compile broader topic list
Summary
The committee discussed reopening its audit-topic list and noted a request from the mayor’s deputy to study compliance with the Data Practices Act. Members asked staff to assemble a one-page list of suggested topics from prior brainstorming, public submissions and department referrals for the next meeting.
The Saint Paul Audit Committee discussed potential subjects for future audits and received a suggestion from the mayor’s office to study compliance with the Data Practices Act, including the volume and timeliness of data-practices requests.
Chair Naker said she heard from the deputy mayor that the mayor’s office was interested in an audit of how the city handles data-practices requests and the speed of staff responses. "The deputy mayor wanted to suggest that we study compliance with the Data Practices Act," Naker told the committee. Committee members noted that auditing compliance and process could identify risk areas and potential efficiencies.
Staff reported they have received few formal suggestions from departments this cycle; one recent submission raised questions about district-council responsiveness and community engagement. Committee members asked staff to compile a single document that gathers all topic ideas from prior brainstorming sessions, public submissions and staff referrals so the committee can review a consolidated list at the next meeting.
A committee member noted similar work done at a university that resulted in process changes, saying an audit could produce actionable findings. Committee members also discussed staff capacity and the limits of the committee’s authority to change processes constrained by state law. Staff said they will pull previous notes and recordings to produce the requested one-sheet ahead of the next meeting.
