Internal Audit details FY27 plan; school food audit identified about $350,000 in recoveries

Young, director of the Office of Internal Audit, presented the department’s FY27 request and described a risk‑based approach that prioritizes oversight of the city’s largest contracts and an assessment of cybersecurity across departments and schools.

Young said the office expects to complete 10 audits this fiscal year, listing planned reviews of the school food service contract, the police evidence/property room, street maintenance (including snow removal), procurement, library cybersecurity, student activities, athletic funds, workers' compensation, fleet, and school transportation. The FY27 request is a level‑service budget that funds three full‑time employees and modest OTPS largely for external audit fees.

On the school food contract, Young told the council the audit identified “to the tune of about $350,000” in potential cost recoveries and that the School Department has implemented stronger contractual oversight procedures in response.

Councilors asked whether the audit covered earlier years of the food contract; Young said the review examined the contract term that began about four years ago through last year and noted the contract is now out to bid.

Why it matters: the internal audit’s work produces concrete recoveries and administrative changes, and the office’s small size (three auditors) means its capacity to expand oversight is limited unless additional resources are approved.

Provenance: Internal Audit presentation (SEG 168–216) and the school food contract discussion (SEG 262–276).