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Budget officer, HR and legal counsel review department operations and outstanding audits
Summary
Arthur O'Hare presented the Finance Department budget and said work remains on post-2024 audits; Michelle Shaw outlined HR support for roughly 400 employees and a projected 1,850 applications; Wally Hicks reviewed legal counsel services and outside counsel costs.
Arthur O'Hare, Budget Officer, told the Budget Committee on May 28 that the Finance Department operates with six budgeted positions and is responsible for countywide financial reporting, budget preparation and accounting oversight. O'Hare said the county’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 audit had been completed but that work associated with subsequent audits remained unfinished and would require additional effort and a timeline for completion.
Michelle Shaw, Human Resources Director, presented the HR budget and said the department currently supports about 400 county employees and anticipates processing approximately 1,850 employment applications in the coming fiscal year. Shaw described HR goals to reduce employment-related legal costs through proactive employee relations, policy compliance and expanded training, including CPR and AED instruction.
Wally Hicks, Legal Counsel, presented the Office of Legal Counsel budget and reviewed services the office provides — contract review, labor and employment support, litigation management and public records assistance — and discussed efforts to manage litigation and outside counsel costs responsibly.
Committee members asked follow-up questions about timelines for outstanding audits, potential professional services expenditures and opportunities to improve public access to financial information. The committee will continue budget review at a later meeting.
