Audit committee reopens internal-auditor search and approves draft RFP language

Jackson City’s audit committee moved to advance hiring steps for an internal auditor and to circulate draft RFP language for an independent consulting firm to support the search.

The committee reviewed prior interviews and personnel steps: members said two candidates (Lorenzo Gooch and Amanda Browning) were previously interviewed; the committee decided not to pursue Amanda Browning and to continue with a second interview for Lorenzo Gooch. The committee also agreed to reopen the internal-auditor job posting to attract a broader pool of applicants.

Chair asked Kelsey Merrweather to lead candidate communications and scheduling. Kelsey said she had notified candidates in advance and would seek consent before discussing any applicant who requested confidentiality because they remain employed. "They were requesting some form of confidentiality just getting the extent that they are currently employed with the employer," she said, and asked for time to confirm whether the applicant would allow public discussion.

Members also approved moving forward with draft RFP language for an independent consulting firm and asked staff to circulate the document for edits. One member recommended structuring the RFP with baseline required tasks and optional add-ons to prevent an initial proposal from becoming prohibitively expensive and to reduce the need to reissue the RFP if cost concerns arise.

What’s next: staff will collect committee feedback on the RFP language within the requested timeframe, poll members to schedule follow-up candidate interviews (virtual options will be available), and proceed once candidate consent and scheduling are resolved.