Augusta committee backs creating an internal audit department, debates employee vs. contractor model

Summary

A Charter Review Committee discussed creating an internal audit department to sit outside regular management, funding and oversight by an audit oversight committee, and whether the role should be an employee or an external firm; members asked staff to draft charter language and place it on next week’s agenda.

Members of Augusta’s Charter Review Committee spent the bulk of a work session debating a proposed internal audit department intended to increase oversight and transparency in city operations.

The group reviewed a memo titled “internal auditor issues to clarify and resolve” and focused on item b, which “creates an internal audit department.” Committee members debated whether the function should be a city employee reporting to an oversight committee or an outside contracted firm. “Item b creates an internal audit department,” a committee speaker said while introducing the section. Several members argued an internal employee better guarantees the function is funded and sustained: one participant warned that an external contract could be defunded by the commission, effectively eliminating the audit function.

Advisers and finance…

Augusta committee backs creating an internal audit department, debates employee vs. contractor model

Summary

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