Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee defers charter language on redistricting commission; hears outside expert on creating an independent city auditor
Summary
Committee members asked staff to return with clearer charter language about whether a proposed tenth redistricting commissioner would be voting or non‑voting, delaying action. Later, the committee heard an outside auditor who recommended an independent performance‑audit office appointed by the governing body and warned that burying the auditor under the city manager would reduce independence; the committee requested further engagement and possible full governing‑body discussion before pursuing a charter change.
The committee discussed two governance items.
On the redistricting commission, staff proposed adding a tenth member appointed by the administrative judge to serve as chair and removing language that required consideration of elected officials’ home addresses when drawing lines. Committee members debated whether the tenth member should have a vote or be strictly an administrative, non‑voting chair. Members asked staff to return with explicit language clarifying the tenth member’s voting rights; the item was deferred to the next committee meeting for revision.
On item 6b, the committee heard from Doug Jones of the Association of Local Government Auditors, who outlined ALGA guidance for establishing an independent city auditor and performance‑audit function. Jones emphasized independence (appointment and reporting lines that protect auditors from auditees), audit committee roles, funding, professional standards and access to records. Legal staff advised that putting an auditor in the charter to report to the governing body would likely require a public vote; an alternative discussed was creating an auditor position that reports operationally to the city manager (which would avoid an immediate charter change but reduce structural independence). Committee members expressed interest in pursuing the independent model and in scheduling further discussion with the full governing body and outside experts.
