Committee backs bill to require professional qualifications for county auditors in first-class counties

Salt Lake City — The Political Subdivisions Committee on Jan. 22 adopted a first substitute and gave a favorable recommendation to House Bill 235, which would require that county auditors in Utah's counties of the first class hold specified professional auditing credentials.

The change targets auditors in the state's largest counties and would align county-auditor qualifications with standards already applied to other elected officials and licensed professionals.

Salt Lake County Auditor Chris Harding told the committee that the office oversees roughly $1 billion in taxpayer funds and should be staffed by people with professional training. "We already require qualifications for other elected officials such as the district attorney, sheriff, and the assessor," Harding said. "The county auditor is no different." He described peer reviews and continuing professional education as safeguards that protect the public and improve accountability.

Representative Jason Tuscher, who sponsored the bill, said the committee was considering the 1st substitute after a county request to simplify language.…