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State auditor to begin petition-driven audit of Pleasant Hill; municipal court review planned
Summary
The State Auditor's Office told the Pleasant Hill City Council it will start a petition-driven audit of the city and a separate municipal court review after a citizen petition with 771 valid signatures; the auditor estimated a roughly 9–12 month timeline and said city audit costs will be billed to the city.
The State Auditor's Office notified the Pleasant Hill City Council on June 8 that it will begin a petition-driven audit of the city and a separate review of the municipal court.
"673 signatures is what was necessary to get the petition of the city done and there was 771 valid signatures," Todd Schuler, a manager with the State Auditor's Office, told the council as he outlined audit timing and scope. Schuler said the court review is paid from the auditor's budget, while costs for the city audit will be billed to Pleasant Hill after the work is complete.
Schuler described the audit objectives as a review of internal controls, compliance with applicable laws and ordinances, management practices and a transaction review to detect fraud, waste or abuse. He said the office will issue separate public reports for the court and the city and estimated the work typically takes "about 9 months to a year," though scheduling and scope could change the timeline.
The auditor estimated city audit costs in the range disclosed on petition forms; Schuler said staff tried to keep costs down but would notify the council if the work exceeded earlier estimates. Shelby Gerard, introduced as the senior auditor who will do much of the on-site work, was identified as part of the audit team.
The office said it would brief the city in closed session on draft findings so city personnel could point out factual errors and provide responses that would be included with the final report. Schuler said any findings of suspected criminal fraud would be referred to law enforcement.
The council did not take action at the meeting; Schuler left contact information and asked citizens who wish to submit confidential concerns to use the office's communications channels.
Next steps: the auditor will begin fieldwork and periodically interview city personnel; the city should expect separate public reports for the municipal court and the city when each audit is complete.
